Colossians 3:8-10, “But now you must put them all away: anger, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
I recently went through my closet and took out the clothes that are no longer in style or are now not fitting me anymore and were taking up space. Likewise, I should take a review throughout my day and remove any old and bad habits that need to be put away as Paul admonishes the believers in Colossae in order to remain faithful to their confession of faith, they must be dead to the old self, and living in the newness of Christ. In looking at the words Paul chose in these verses, these sins are primarily committed by what we say and attitudes towards others. Paul calls the believer to a deeper obedience. He tells us, as James did in James 1:26 and 3:1-9, to bridle our tongue.
The Christian must put off five things, Paul is stating in Colossians 3:8-10, which are anger (temper), malice, slander, filthy communication, and lying. The Greek word translated “wrath” is “thumos” which means “hot.” It is a blaze of sudden anger quickly built and just as quickly dies, like a fire in a fire pit that quickly blazed and then died out. The other Greek word “anger is “orge,” which has to do with anger that is long-lasting, slow-burning, or slow simmering emotion. Paul is stating neither one, any burst of temper and long-lasting anger, are forbidden in being a Christ-follower. How Satan prowls around and sets traps for us to plummet into this area. Many relationships become scarred from anger.
Malice is finding humor in someone’s misfortune. I lapsed into that recently when a customer, who is in a management position, had sent several arrogant, exaggerations in complaints, demeaning, rude, and undermining verbal accusatory emails to myself and one of our customer service representatives that handles this account. They were hurtful and left a sting. Then much to my surprise, I received a call from someone over this problematic individual, that was doing an investigation against this manager. She informed me this individual was treating my competitors with the same verbal abuse. I was asked to forward the emails to her and other examples as a plan was in motion to take care of this individual corporately once and for all, which I did. I have to admit I did find retribution and justice very pleasant! But, after thinking it over, in light of Colossians 3, I felt convicted regarding my emotional reactions. Jesus reacted to sneers and criticism, which were unwarranted with very few words. He felt sorrowful and troubled during those times and needed his Father. Jesus exposed motives, sought peace, applied Scripture, and prayed. Ouch. I need to do the same. Have you ever been there too?
To be a light wherever God places us, be it at the grocery store, driving in your car, interactions with co-workers and family, we must be different people. “Therefore, “When a tide of passion or a surge of anger is felt, it must be dealt with as the alien intruder it really is, and turned out of the house as having no right to be there at all, let alone to be giving orders.” Tom Wright. The New Testament For Everyone Commentary.
Like my tossed-out clothes, I must put away and not take out old habits of sin and put on what I am learning in God’s Word in being renewed inwardly in the knowledge of my creator. It takes more than just making New Year’s resolutions and having good intentions. It takes mirroring Christ’s response to opposition. I need to examine motives. Seek peace. Apply Scripture to the situation and then pray for myself and others. Then I need to sit back and let God do His work and do the talking instead of me.
Listen to Casting Crowns Start Right Here (Single Version) [Official Lyric Video] 7/24/20.