Colossians 3:8
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
Context:To understand the verse better, let’s begin by examining the context of Colossians 3:8. The letter to the Colossians was written by the apostle Paul while he was in prison, addressing the church in Colossae. In this particular section, Paul is exhorting the believers to live a new life in Christ and put off their old sinful habits.
Putting off the old self:Paul starts by saying, “But now ye also put off all these.” The phrase “put off” implies a deliberate action of discarding or removing something. In this case, Paul is instructing the Colossian believers to cast away certain negative behaviors and attitudes that characterized their former lives before coming to faith in Christ.
Negative behaviors to put off:a. Anger: Refers to a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility. Believers are urged to let go of unrighteous anger, which often leads to destructive actions.
b. Wrath: Describes intense, uncontrollable anger or rage. Paul encourages believers to abandon this destructive emotion and seek peace instead.
c. Malice: Refers to ill-will or a desire to harm others. Christians are called to renounce any malicious intent and replace it with love and kindness.
d. Blasphemy: In this context, it refers to slanderous or disrespectful speech against God or others. Believers should refrain from speaking evil of God or engaging in harmful speech about others.
e. Filthy communication: This includes any form of speech that is vulgar, obscene, or morally corrupt. Christians are called to purify their speech and let their words be edifying and uplifting.
The transformation in Christ:The instruction to put off these negative behaviors is a reflection of the transformative power of Christ in the lives of believers. When we surrender our lives to Jesus and follow Him, we are called to live differently and align our actions with His teachings. The old self with its sinful practices is to be put off, and a new self, renewed in Christ’s image, is to be put on.
Application:Colossians 3:8 serves as a practical guide for believers today. It reminds us to examine our own lives and identify areas where we may still be holding on to anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, or filthy communication. As followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard of conduct and speech. By putting off these negative behaviors, we make room for the fruit of the Spirit to manifest in our lives, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
- In conclusion:Colossians 3:8 encourages believers to actively
