Colossians 3:5a “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.” You know the phrase “lurking in the shadows.” Brings about a negative connotation, paints a sinister picture.
As a Christian, when we re-read Colossians 3:5a, we are reminded that we are human. We still have the ability to sin. We have our “pet” sins lurking within us, waiting to present themselves, ambush us at our weakest moments. It is at that moment that we have a decision to make. Do we pursue “that” sin or do we pursue Christ? Do we allow anger, greed, jealousy, pride, idolatry, lustful pleasures, drunkenness, selfish ambition to rule in our hearts? “The Christian life is not a playground; it is a battleground. And sometimes the hardest battles to win are our inner battles.” Warren Wiersbe
Or, do we fall on our knees and ask for forgiveness, mercy, strength, love and fill our minds with better thoughts. As redeemed children of God, we must rid ourselves of these. But not by our own power. We must surrender our will and submit to God’s authority in our lives. Willingly. Obediently. Happily.
I began this by asking you to be aware of the sin lurking within you. Let me finish by saying be an overcomer because of the Holy Spirit, not lurking, but living inside you. Giving you the victory in your weakest moments.
Rather than focusing on the sin, let us fully saturate our minds with the word of God that we may stand against the “wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
Colossians 3:1-4 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”