LIVING SUNDAY DEVOTION

Text: Colossians 3:1-10

The Scriptures command that we hate sin.  It isn't optional.
The first list Paul gives us in the text--the sexual sins--is a lot easier to hate than this list we discussed on Sunday--the sins of our speech. Angry words, gossip, abusive speech, filthy language--we place these in a much lower category of severity than we do sexual sins.

But the overlapping truth in these lists of sins is the reality that they cause great damage to our testimony for Jesus, they ultimately suck the joy out of our life, and they are a cancer to the community of believers.

1. Set your mind on things of the Spirit every morning. It's not just about saying "No" to sin but saying "Yes" to the things of the Spirit.  See Ephesians 16:17.  The things of the Spirit can be found in the Word of God.  Fight with this weapon.

2. Cultivate enmity with sin! John Piper writes, "You don’t kill friends (Romans 8:13). You kill enemies. Ponder how sin killed your best Friend (Jesus), dishonors your Father, and aims to destroy you forever. Develop more hatred for sin."

3.  Ponder this--our tongue reveals our heart (Luke 6:45).  Matt Chandler says that this is a great gift from God!  We don't have to be uncertain about what's in our heart.  Ask someone you trust about your words.  Are they often angry, bitter, hateful, bigoted, etc.?

4.  Admit failure and confess all known sin every day (1 John 1:9). Run to the cross.

If you want victory over sin your relationship with sin must change.  Only the gospel can bring that change into your heart!