Colossians 3:5,6

Putting to Death Earthly Thinking

Having shown how the Christian is alive, Paul next turned to show what each member of His body must put to death, or mortify. Thomas suggest mortify means "to dig out by the roots, and utterly destroy." Notice, Jesus' followers die with Christ to become Christians and must continue to put to death wrongful desires that may come up in their lives. Fornication describes unlawful sexual relationships. Uncleanness is moral impurity which is brought on by lustful thinking. Thayer says the word translated “passion” refers in the New Testament to "depraved passion". A desire, craving or longing for that which is forbidden would be evil desire, according to Thayer. Covetousness might well be described as a lust for money. It makes the acquisition of material things the god of one's life, thus it can be called idolatry.

Paul indicates all those who live in the above described ways and refuse to obey God will face a predetermined end. Notice, God's wrath in judgment is reserved for those who will not obey him, not a group destined to be lost. Remember, Christians have quit living in worldliness and started living in Christ. When the Colossians lived in worldliness, they participated in some of the sins Paul had mentioned (Colossians 3:5-6).