Colossians 3 is one of the most counter-cultural chapters in the Bible. Paul tells us to change our mindset, our lifestyle, our relationships, and our reactions. In simple terms: if Christ is your life, your life should not look like it did before.
1. Set Your Mind on Things Above (Colossians 3:1–2)
Colossians 3:1–2 (NIV)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is… Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
This is the battle of our generation: attention → direction → destination.
Most of us don’t set our minds on things above because our minds are:
- scattered and overstimulated,
- addicted to scrolling,
- drowning in entertainment,
- glued to notifications,
- overloaded by news, drama, and comparison.
The average person checks their phone constantly but barely checks in with God. Paul isn’t suggesting a positive mindset trick—he’s calling us to a radical reorientation of our inner life. Where your mind habitually lives is where your life eventually goes.
2. You Died. Christ Is Now Your Life. (Colossians 3:3–4)
Colossians 3:3–4 (NIV)
“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Many Christians live as if Jesus is an accessory, not the center. But Paul says clearly: you died. The “old you” is not the boss anymore. Christ is your life now.
Maybe you say you’re saved, but:
- you still chase the world’s validation,
- you still use the world’s morality,
- you still let emotions rule your decisions,
- you still cling to old coping mechanisms.
Salvation is not about becoming a slightly “better person.” It’s about the old self dying and the new life in Christ taking over.
3. Put to Death the Earthly Nature (Colossians 3:5–7)
Colossians 3:5 (NIV)
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
Paul doesn’t say:
- “Manage it,”
- “Control it,”
- “Hide it,”
- “Slowly work on it.”
He says: put it to death.
Our culture normalizes and glorifies the very sins Paul lists:
- Sexual immorality is entertainment.
- Porn is considered normal and “healthy.”
- Lust is treated as a joke or a personality trait.
- Greed is repackaged as ambition and success.
But God says these things bring His wrath and must be killed, not pampered.
4. Take Off the Old Clothes (Colossians 3:8–9)
Colossians 3:8–9 (NIV)
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other…”
Here God targets our reactions, our speech, and our character. He calls us to strip off:
- anger and rage,
- malice and slander,
- filthy language and lying.
Look around today:
- People are easily offended and constantly angry.
- Social media is full of slander, insults, and filthy talk.
- Many lie casually to protect image or convenience.
Paul says this is not who you are anymore. Stop wearing the old self like a comfortable hoodie. Take it off. Throw it away.
5. Put On the New Self (Colossians 3:10–11)
Colossians 3:10 (NIV)
“…and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
The Christian life is not just subtracting sin; it’s adding Christlikeness. You don’t just say “no” to the flesh; you say “yes” to the Spirit.
The new self looks like:
- self-control instead of impulsiveness,
- purity instead of lust,
- peace instead of chaos,
- truth instead of lies,
- faith instead of fear.
This renewal is ongoing—“being renewed”—as you stay in God’s Word and in His presence.
6. Dress Like Jesus: Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Love (Colossians 3:12–14)
Colossians 3:12–14 (NIV)
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another… And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Here’s the outfit God wants you to wear every day:
- Compassion – a soft heart toward others’ struggles.
- Kindness – choosing to be gracious, not harsh.
- Humility – not needing to be right or first.
- Gentleness – strength under control.
- Patience – not reacting quickly in anger.
- Forgiveness – releasing those who hurt you.
- Love – the belt that ties everything together.
Think about your last conflict, argument, or misunderstanding. Were you wearing these clothes—or your old outfit of anger, pride, and harsh words?
7. Let Christ Rule and His Word Dwell Richly (Colossians 3:15–17)
Colossians 3:15–17 (NIV)
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly… And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”
This is full-life Christianity:
- Peace of Christ rules – His peace is the referee of your decisions.
- Word of Christ dwells richly – not occasionally, not barely, but richly.
- Everything in Jesus’ name – your work, your music, your conversations, your free time.
Many believers want the peace of Christ without allowing the Word of Christ to dwell richly. But His peace and His Word go together. You cannot fill your mind with garbage and expect supernatural peace.
8. Christ in the Home and the Real World (Colossians 3:18–25)
Paul finishes the chapter by applying the Gospel to:
- marriage,
- family dynamics,
- work relationships,
- authority and submission,
- how we treat one another in the real world.
These verses are hard for modern culture because they demand:
- humility,
- respect,
- servant leadership,
- obedience,
- integrity.
Colossians 3:23–24 (NIV)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
How you treat your spouse, your kids, your boss, your employees, your customers—it all reveals who you really believe you’re serving. If you truly know “it is the Lord Christ you are serving,” everything changes.
What Colossians 3 Is Saying to Us Today
Colossians 3 is a call to:
- kill sin instead of coddling it,
- set your mind on heaven instead of getting lost in the world,
- take off the old self and put on the new,
- walk in compassion, humility, and love,
- let Christ rule every area of life—public and private,
- live differently in your home, work, and relationships because Jesus is Lord.
You cannot live this out in your own strength. You need the Holy Spirit. But the first step is surrender.
Prayer of Repentance, Surrender, and Deliverance
If this message exposed some things in your heart—compromise, lust, anger, pride, or distraction—don’t ignore it. Let’s pray:
Father in Heaven,
I come to You in the mighty name of Jesus.
I repent for living in the flesh and not in the Spirit.
I repent for impurity, anger, bitterness, pride, and selfishness.
Forgive me for setting my mind on earthly things instead of things above.
Lord Jesus, I surrender my heart, my mind, my habits, and my desires to You.
Put to death in me everything that does not honor You.
Clothe me with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love.
Break every chain of sin, addiction, confusion, and darkness over my life.
Fill me with the Holy Spirit.
Let Your peace rule in my heart and let Your Word dwell in me richly.
From this day forward, I choose to live as someone who has died with Christ and been raised with Him.
In Jesus Christ’s mighty name I pray, Amen.
Share This With Someone Who Needs Jesus Just Like You
Someone you know is stuck in anger, lust, anxiety, addiction, or confusion. Someone is drowning in the “old self” and doesn’t know how to get free.
Share this message with them. Pray for them. Walk with them. Help them see that Jesus doesn’t just forgive sin—He transforms lives.
And if you’re looking for a church family that believes in truth, repentance, deliverance, and real discipleship, we invite you to walk with us at UponThisRock.Church.
Let Jesus change you—and then share Him with someone who needs Him just as much as you do.
© UponThisRock.Church · Scripture quotations NIV unless otherwise noted.
