How can we identify "earthly nature" traits mentioned in Colossians 3:5? Setting the Verse in Context Colossians 3:5 lays down a clear charge: “Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.” Paul writes to believers who have been raised with Christ (v. 1) and must now live out that new life by rooting out whatever still belongs to the old, earth-bound self. What “Earthly Nature” Means • The phrase speaks of the life we inherited in Adam—instincts, habits, and desires shaped by a fallen world. • It is the opposite of “things above” (v. 2), the Christ-centered mindset. • These traits are not minor flaws; Paul calls for their execution, not negotiation. Breaking Down the List 1. Sexual immorality (porneía) • Any sexual activity outside God’s covenant of one man and one woman in marriage (Genesis 2:24; 1 Corinthians 6:18). • Includes physical acts, virtual acts, and “harmless” indulgences of fantasy. 2. Impurity • A broader term covering moral uncleanness in thought, word, or deed (Ephesians 5:3–4). • Shows up in coarse humor, double entendres, entertainment choices. 3. Lust (pathos) • Over-heated passion that clouds judgment (1 Thessalonians 4:5). • Not appreciation of beauty, but craving that seeks gratification, often immediately. 4. Evil desires • Deep-seated cravings for anything God forbids (James 1:14–15). • Can orbit around power, revenge, or forbidden pleasures. 5. Greed, which is idolatry • A constant hunger for more—money, possessions, experiences (1 Timothy 6:9–10). • Idolatry because it dethrones God, placing “more” on the altar of the heart. Spotting These Traits in Everyday Life • Do my private media choices cross God’s moral line or stoke lust? • Is there a secret habit I excuse because “no one’s getting hurt”? • Do I daydream about sinful scenarios or harbor fantasies of payback? • Does my budget reveal a restless pursuit of accumulation rather than contentment? • When something desirable is withheld, do anger and frustration expose an idol? Scripture Cross-References and Reinforcement • Matthew 5:27–28 – Jesus traces sexual sin to the level of the heart. • Romans 13:14 – “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Galatians 5:19–21 – A matching catalog of fleshly works, confirming God’s consistent standard. • 1 John 2:15–17 – The world’s cravings are passing away; doing God’s will endures. Practical Self-Examination Checklist ✔ Evaluate media intake: music, shows, online content. Does it normalize impurity? ✔ Track thought patterns: recurring fantasies or resentments signal deeper issues. ✔ Review spending habits: are giving and generosity throttled by the urge to get? ✔ Notice emotional triggers: jealousy, discontent, or fear of missing out can unveil greed or lust. ✔ Solicit honest feedback from a mature believer who sees your life up close (Proverbs 27:17). Moving from Recognition to Action • Confess specific sins to God, agreeing with His verdict (1 John 1:9). • Starve the old nature by cutting off supply lines—delete, block, unsubscribe, avoid. • Feed the new nature with Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and service (Psalm 119:9–11). • Replace greed with generosity, impurity with purity of mind, lust with self-control. • Walk by the Spirit daily; He alone empowers true mortification of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Identifying these earthly traits is the first decisive step toward living the risen life Christ secured for us. |
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