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Colossians 3:5 - Dying To Our Fallen Nature.

Colossians 3:5 " Dying To Our Fallen Nature.

Colossians 3:5 (NIV) Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs 
to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil 
desires and greed, which is idolatry.  

Colossians 3:5 (NLT) So put to death the sinful, earthly things 
lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, 
lust, and evil desires. Dont be greedy, for a greedy person is an 
idolater, worshiping the things of this world.  

Colossians 3:5 (AMP) So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil 
desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is 
earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual 
appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is 
idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God). 
 

Colossians 3:5 (MSG) And that means killing off everything 
connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, 
doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing 
whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings 
instead of by God.  

   When I turned my life over to Jesus Christ, I was told that a 
big part of the process was for me to start putting to death my old, 
earthly human nature. All I could think about was what a tall order that 
would be. I wondered how I would ever get through it. The answer came 
in an early morning Bible study I was attending with several other 
men.  
   One of the men, who doesn't speak up much, said, "If we're 
going to put to death our old, earthly nature, we have to stop feeding 
it." It took me a few minutes to digest this, but then I got it: we 
stop feeding the old nature and start feeding the new nature. In both 
my words and actions, I refrain from contact with sexual 
immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed. Instead, I use my words 
and actions to feed my new nature, consisting of compassion, 
kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, love, and all that leads to 
godliness. (Col. 3:12). 
   Mixing the two never works because the evil, dead nature 
always contaminates the new, living nature. Take my word for it: we all 
have to choose and then support that choice with our words and 
actions.  
   Father, I could never live a life of godliness without your 
Holy Spirit living in and through me. I surrender myself to you. Do 
your good work in me. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily 
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker] 

   Change is always a choice. Nobody can force you or talk you 
into change. You will not change until you decide you actually want 
to. 
   Yet change is also wholly dependent on God. We can't become 
the flourishing, loving creatures we were made to be by sheer effort 
alone. We choose to change, and God gives us the power to change. Then 
gradually, over time, we do change, putting on the new self that God 
envisioned for us before the world was created. 
   Do you know what the word transformation is in Greek? It's 
the Greek word metamorphosis. Scientists use this word to describe 
the way a tadpole - a creature that can live only in the water - 
changes into a frog that can breathe on land. Putting on the new self is 
as radical as growing lungs that can breathe the rich, clean air of 
God's realm. 
   Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way 
you think. Let him give you the motivation to change. 
   God is ready to transform you into the image of your Creator. 
[The Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional re vs. 10] 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

We should consider ourselves dead and unresponsive to sexual 
immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed. Just like diseased 
limbs of a tree, these practices must be cut off before they destroy 
us. We must make a conscious, daily decision to remove anything that 
supports or feeds these desires and to rely on the Holy Spirit's power.  
[Life Application SB] 

When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His 
heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His 
mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His 
life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His 
righteousness. COL312 

ILLUSTRATION

   One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle 
that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 
wolves. 
   "One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, 
arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, 
superiority and ego. 
   The other is God. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, 
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, 
and faith." 
   The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his 
grandfather, "Which wolf wins?" 
   The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed." 
[https://youtu.be/E8CHjX8HauA] 

MINI-VIDEO ON THIS PASSAGE BY PASTOR SHAWN BOONSTRA

Our Constant Need to "Upgrade": 
http://www.itiswritten.com/television/episodes/3212 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES AND SEMINARS

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/

http://www.aBible.com