The Commands of Putting Off and Putting On

As our sermon series in Colossians continues, we will examine the command in Colossians 3:5-14 for believers to put off certain attitudes and actions and to put on those reflecting our Savior.

A Review of Colossians 3:1-4
• “Keep seeking things above.” (Colossians 3:1)
- This is a command concerning your actions: WHAT YOU DO. 

• “Set your mind on things above.“ (Colossians 3:2)
- This is a command concerning your mind: WHAT YOU THINK.

• “Consider as dead.”(Colossians 3:5)
- This command means to KILL, STOP, CEASE COMPLETELY.

• “Put them all aside.” (Colossians 3:8)
- This command means to LAY ASIDE, PUT OFF.

• “Put on.” (Colossians 3:12)
- This command means to CLOTHE ONESELF WITH, PUT ON. 

The Putting-Off and Putting-On Principle 

1. What are Christians to stop doing and put off? (Colossians 3:5-11)

• Immorality
- “Porneia” – It is any form of sexual sin. 
- Includes adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, sexual relations with animals, incest.

• Impurity
- Includes not only sexual acts but evil thoughts, speech, a sensual heart or a filthy mind.
-Any form of indecency and sexual impurity in the mind (pornography)

• Passion
- Uncontrolled evil sexual passions, desires, and cravings
- Indicates a drive or force that does not rest until it is satisfied
- Shameful emotion that leads to sexual sin
- Evil desire
> The plan of a wicked or godless person
> A person with evil thoughts and conversations

• Greed
- Someone who is covetous
- The desire to have what someone else has
- Another form of evil desires that fixes itself on materialism
- Such greed is idolatry

• Anger
- Deep, smoldering bitterness that flares up at others

• Wrath
- Anger boiling over, rage, brings violence

• Malice
- Vicious nature bent on doing harm to others

• Slander
- Harmful, abusive speech against someone’s reputation

• Abusive speech from your mouth
- Dirty, filthy, obscene language or speech

• Lying
- Any falsehood
- To tell what is not true; to tell the half-truth; to mislead someone

2. What are Christians to start doing and put on? (Colossians 3:12-14)
• Compassion
- Sympathy, mercy, pity towards the suffering of others
- Tenderhearted towards the needs of others

• Kindness
- Gracious, easy to get along with
- Describes someone who has lost their harshness

• Humility
- Absence of self-exaltation; not thinking of yourself

• Gentleness
- The word for meekness; strength under God’s control
- A gentle person looks past the weakness of others and responds in a Christ-like manner. 

• Patience
- Long-suffering; emotional quietness in the face of unfavorable circumstances.
- Constraint exercised towards another; forbearance
- Bear with one another and forgive each other. 
- To put up with each other’s faults and to forgive

• Love
- Selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love; love without expecting anything in return.