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Colossians 3:5 - Dying To Our Fallen Nature.

Colossians 3:5 (NIV) Put to death, 
therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: 
sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and 
greed, which is idolatry.  

Colossians 3:5 (NLT) So put to death the 
sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have 
nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, 
lust, and evil desires. Dont be greedy, for a 
greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things 
of this world.  

Colossians 3:5 (AMP) So kill (deaden, 
deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your 
members [those animal impulses and all that is 
earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual 
vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, 
and all greed and covetousness, for that is 
idolatry (the deifying of self and other created 
things instead of God).  

Colossians 3:5 (MSG) And that means killing 
off everything connected with that way of death: 
sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever 
you feel like whenever you feel like it, and 
grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life 
shaped by things and feelings instead of by God.  

INTRODUCTION

We should consider ourselves dead and 
unresponsive to sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil 
desires, and greed. Just like diseased limbs of a 
tree, these practices must be cut off before they 
destroy us. We must make a conscious, daily decision 
to remove anything that supports or feeds these 
desires and to rely on the Holy Spirit's power.  
[Life Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   I used to think of idols as primitive 
carvings of bizarre figures or the golden calf 
described in Exodus 32. Raised Catholic, I was 
accustomed to statues, paintings, and other artistic 
renderings of Jesus, Mary, biblical figures, and 
assorted saints as a common expression of faith and 
worship. Those were never considered idols to me, but 
that doesn't mean I've lived idol-free. 
   The dictionary defines idol as both "an 
image or representation of a god used as an object 
of worship" and "a person or thing that is 
greatly admired, loved, or revered." In the language 
of faith, an idol is anything I put before God. 
Paul further clarifies sins that are idols - 
anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language 
(Colossians 3:8). The reality is, there are much more 
threatening idols not made of marble, wood, or resin. 
   I idolized my dear mother, who struggled 
with mental illness, orbiting around her and 
trying to help in the unhealthiest ways for the 
both of us. I idolized professional achievement, 
chasing desperately after titles and acquisition 
without regard for God's true call on my life. I've 
even idolized church, becoming zealously 
religious, as my heart drifted further and further from 
Jesus. My idols of codependency, pride, legalism, 
and the illusion I could do it alone were false 
idols that needed to be smashed. 
   That's one of the biggest problems with 
idols - they break or they break us. But there's a 
solution. Making Jesus first is the answer to living 
idol-free. Isabella Campolattaro 
   Faith Step: What do you put before Jesus? 
Ask Him to reveal any idols in your life, then 
smash them. [Mornings With Jesus 2023 Devotional 
by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

CLOSING PEARL

When we submit ourselves to Christ, the 
heart is united with His heart, the will is merged 
in His will, the mind becomes one with His 
mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to 
Him; we live His life. This is what it means to 
be clothed with the garment of His 
righteousness. COL 312 

ILLUSTRATION

   One evening an old Cherokee told his 
grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. 
He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 
wolves. 
   "One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, 
regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, 
resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority 
and ego. 
   The other is Good. It is joy, peace, 
love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, 
benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and 
faith." 
   The grandson thought about it for a 
minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf 
wins?" 
   The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one 
you feed." [https://youtu.be/E8CHjX8HauA] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Colossians 3:5 - Dying To Our Fallen Nature.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210728-0845.html 

Exodus 20:17 (TEV) Do not desire another 
man's house; do not desire his wife, his slaves, 
his cattle, his donkeys, or anything else that 
he owns. [devotional pending] 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/