COLOSSIANS 3:9

“Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices,

I am getting older every day. How about you? We all are. There is only one other alternative, right? And as we get older, it gets harder to let go of our old ways. Those habits are so hard to stop. Now, not all those habits are bad. But some… Well, let’s just say they ought to go the way of the dinosaur.

Paul reminds the Colossians (and us) that our old self is gone. We discussed how we have thrown it away. The Greek word for “stripped off” is apekduomai and only occurs here and earlier in Colossians 2:15. In both cases it is in the Middle voice which means you have to choose to do this. It is not done to you. Paul says we have chosen to strip “off the old self with its evil practices.”

APPLICATION

Don’t read that and just go past it. This is important. We have to choose to strip off this old stuff. We cannot walk the straight and narrow while we are carrying around all this baggage. The image of stripping off something is important. I have this picture in my mind of violently tearing it away. It’s not something you do slowly.

Let me give you an example. I recently was told about the conversion of someone who was struggling with their sexuality. They came to a church service, fell under conviction and came forward for salvation. The next Sunday the Pastor noticed this person still dressing in a way that resembled their old lifestyle. He approached them and said, “What are you doing?” They replied, “Well, I thought I would change a little bit at a time.” What?! No! You have to tear it off. You have to strip it away.

What are you wearing from your old self? What are you hanging on to? Let it go – now! It has to go! It does not represent who you are now. Walk afresh. Walk in victory.

O Father, give me the power to strip off all the old stuff and wear Your garments.