Putting Off The Old Self

"But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, 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." - Colossians 3:8–9

The resurrection life involves both putting off and putting on. Today we focus on what needs to be removed from our lives. Paul lists specific behaviors that are incompatible with our new identity in Christ: anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk, and lying.

This is not about behavior modification or trying harder to be good. This is about living consistently with who we have become in Christ. When we were raised with Christ, our old self died. These destructive behaviors belong to the person we used to be, not the person we now are.

Think of it like changing clothes. When you come home from work, you do not try to put on your pajamas over your work clothes. You take off the work clothes first, then put on the comfortable clothes. The same principle applies to the Christian life. We must intentionally remove the old patterns before we can fully embrace the new ones.

I had to learn this lesson with my temper. For years, I justified my angry outbursts by saying, "That is just how I am." But when I understood my new identity in Christ, I realized that anger was not who I am - it was who I used to be. I had to deliberately put off that old pattern and learn new ways of responding to frustration.

Each item on Paul's list represents a different way we can hurt others and damage relationships. Anger and wrath destroy peace. Malice and slander destroy trust. Obscene talk and lying destroy integrity. These behaviors are not just bad habits - they are incompatible with the love of Christ.

The good news is that we do not have to struggle with these patterns in our own strength. The same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to help us put off the old self. We can say no to destructive behaviors because we are no longer slaves to sin.

This process takes time and intentionality. Old habits die hard, and we may find ourselves slipping back into familiar patterns. But each time we choose to put off the old self, we are living more consistently with our true identity in Christ.

Which of these old self behaviors do you most struggle with? How can you actively put off these patterns and live consistently with your new identity?

Holy God, thank You for giving me a new identity in Christ. Help me to put off the old self and its destructive practices. When I am tempted to respond with anger, malice, or dishonesty, remind me of who I now am in You. Give me the strength to live consistently with my new nature. In Your purifying name, Amen.