Colossians 3:8–9 (NLT)
But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
We talked a lot about the old nature on Sunday. I said it was an aggressor… A bully. And I think it helps to name the bully. So what “old nature” habit hits you the most right now (anger, lust, pride, selfishness, lying, dirty talk, etc)? How does it affect you and those around you? What kind of damage has it caused lately?
Romans 13:14 (ESV)
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
How do I “feed” that nature and keep it alive? Shows, music, social media, websites, toxic relationships, certain conversations?
What is one specific thing you could stop this week so you “make no provision for the flesh”? Be concrete (unfollow, delete app, change bedtime, block a site, stop going somewhere).
Colossians 3:2–3 (NLT)
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Mind check. When you’re alone, what does your mind drift to? What would it look like to “think about the things of heaven” instead?
Ephesians 4:22 (NLT)
throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
On Sunday we talked about “chucking” the old self like those men threw down their coats in Acts. If you had that same intensity, what would you throw out of your life first? Why?
What’s one common excuse you use to justify sin (“I deserve this,” “This is just who I am,” “I need this”)? What does God’s Word say back to that excuse?
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
What is one “weight” that might not look sinful at first but still slows your walk with Jesus?
Jesus said to deny yourself and take up your cross daily. What does “daily” obedience look like for you this week—one habit to start and one habit to stop?