COLOSSIANS 3:5

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."

Have you noticed that the Aposle can use pretty blunt language at times. And the truth is, he needs to. There is no easing us in gently, he's naming things directly: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed. No softening, no room to explain it away. Why so blunt? Because of the difference between hiding a desire and putting it to death. Hiding keeps it alive, just out of view still ours, still able to resurface the moment we let our guard down.

That's why the Apostle is so deliberate with his choice of words: put to death. Not manage it. Not bury it. Not hide it better. A managed desire still has room to grow. A buried desire can always be dug back up the moment temptation comes knocking again. Only something dead stays dead.

But here's what makes this possible:  We already died with Christ. The old life, the one ruled by these desires, is already over. Putting sin to death isn't us working for something; it's us agreeing with what's already true and refusing to keep alive what Jesus already ended on the cross.

So what have you buried instead of dealt with? What's still under your tent, quietly waiting, that you've told yourself is handled because no one else can see it?

Prayer

Lord, I don't want to just bury what needs to dieI want it gone. Show me what I've hidden well enough that I've almost forgotten it's there.  You already dealt with the power of sin over me on the cross. Help me stop protecting what you've already put to death, and let me walk in the new life you've given me In Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Today's devotion is written by Pastor Nich, LifeWay Epping