Do you ever make lists? I do. I make a list of what I want to do, to accomplish certain goals. I am what some would call a compulsive list maker. I have found that as I get older I need a list. It is so easy to get sidetracked and forget things that need to be done until it’s too late. Sometimes, I make lists that encompass a project and that list will go on and on. It is what I call my running list because I keep adding to it as I think of things. In Colossians chapter 3 Paul makes one of those run-on lists.
Today’s list deals with sins we are to “put off.” This is a command given, not a suggestion. Paul’s first phrase “but now,” refers to their new life in Christ. You were a certain way before salvation, but now, you are different. Since this change has occurred we are to put off these sins. In the Greek language, put off means to discard, like you would throw away an old worn-out garment. You get rid of the garment with the intent of never wearing it again. With that in mind, let us look at our list for today.
Colossians 3:8-11 “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all and in all.”
The first things we are to put off are anger and wrath. These are very closely related, but not exactly the same. The definition of anger is a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. It is a state of mind and it is slower to rise and show its self than wrath. Wrath is more emotional, anger burns and can plan out its actions, where wrath is more explosive in actions.
Anger and wrath in themselves are not necessarily sinful. God himself was angry in Deuteronomy 32:16. He was provoked to anger, and in Romans 1:18 the wrath of God is poured out on the ungodly. God poured out His wrath on the earth in the flood, He poured it out on Sodom and Gomorrah, and also on Israel. There is a time when wrath and anger are right, but most of the time our anger or wrath is not for righteous causes. It usually stems from our own selfishness of not getting what we want. Most of the time our anger will lead us into sin.
Deuteronomy 32:16 “They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.”
Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
Anger that is not checked and dealt with gives the devil an opportunity to raise his ugly head in our lives. It can give the devil an opening into our minds and hearts. There are things that will make us angry. We are emotional creatures, and when we see injustice in our world it can stir our emotions to anger, and even wrath, but we must be very careful to keep it in check.
Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.”
Sometimes it is difficult to think clearly when we are angry, but we need to deal with the causes before we allow anger to fester and cause us to take actions we will regret. God makes it very clear that vengeance is His, not ours. Instead of seeking to take revenge, we need to seek God’s help and His righteousness. All is His, and He is the righteous judge. Pray and ask God to help you, give your feelings to Him, and step back and trust.
James 1:19-20 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord”
