Why do I struggle so much? You may have asked yourself this question. You may have asked yourself this question repeatedly because you know what to do. But more often than not, you end up doing what you did not want to do. This struggle results from following Christ and desiring to do what is right. But, so often, we do what is not right. At this point, you and I must be reminded we are not perfect. But we must also be reminded that God is doing a work in us. We call it progressive sanctification.

The Apostle Paul writes a statement to the Colossians that describes this progressive sanctification, “you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Colossians 3:9-10).” In this statement, three truths describe the sanctification process in terms of putting off the old self and putting on the new self.

Renewal

Paul speaks of putting on the new self as “being renewed.” He does not say, “You have been renewed.” This renewal is an ongoing process. In other words, this is a process. You were not miraculously changed into a perfect person when you repented of your sin and turned to Christ. On that day, you began a process of renewal. This renewal has two components. Paul prefaces His statement concerning renewal with an illustration of putting off the old self and putting on the new self. This putting off and putting on includes both attitudes and actions. The remainder of this article will focus on Paul’s list, an example of the old self that should be taken off.

Remove The Old

Do not pass quickly over the first command, “Put to death (v. 5).” This is not like taking off the clothes you wore today to place them in the wash to be worn again another day. Paul says, “Take off the old self and destroy it.” This is like removing your clothes today and placing them in the fire to destroy them. Clothes destroyed in the fire can never be worn again. We are to do this with our old selves – attitudes and actions.

The list Paul gives is representative. Yet, it touches on the heart of the old self.

• Sexual Immorality – all forms of sexual immorality. This includes pornography, fornication, adultery, and homosexuality.
• Impurity – motives that are not pure.
• Passion – inordinate affections.
• Evil desire – longing for what is forbidden.
• Covetousness – greedy desire for more.

Paul describes these as earthly things in us. We are to put them to death, destroy them, never to be put on again.

Paul gives a second list of items we must also put off.

• Anger – violent passion.
• Wrath – heated passion or anger.
• Malice – a desire to injure.
• Slander – to speak evil, especially toward another person.
• Obscene talk – foul speaking.
• Lying – deceptive speech.

These two lists describe the earthly, fleshly, and sinful self. We are not to put them away for a short time to put back on later. We are to destroy them – both attitudes and actions.

Response

Do you recognize any of these in yourself? If so, God desires for you to respond by repenting of these things. This putting to death is the essence of repentance. Repentance is a change in mind that leads to a change in action. It is to walk away from the attitude or action. What is your response today?