Are You Ready for Battle (Lesson three)

A look a Christian Virtue

Colossians 3:5-12 NASB  Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.  (6)  For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,  (7)  and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.  (8)  But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.  (9)  Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,  (10)  and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him--  (11)  a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.  (12)  So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

Last week we talked about putting on the whole armor of God.  Sometimes in order to put something on, we first must take something off.  Paul is telling us to put aside anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive speech.  Many times, we become so enthralled with the things of this present world.  The situations of the day can bring out these actions.  We must be on guard against these tendencies.

In Christ, we are a new creature.  Paul is reminding us that the old body is dead and with it the old self and its evil practices.  As a new creature, we can put on a heart of compassion.  We should understand when someone hurts.  We can put on kindness.  Remember to kind, tomorrow you may need someone to return the favor.  Don’t forget to show humility, after all it is about Jesus not you.  Be gentle and practice patience.