Paul told the Colossians “put to death what is earthly in you” (Colossians 3:5). The reason and the means by which they were to do this is found in the previous verses where Paul rehearses the Gospel. He says, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4). Here Paul includes the death of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus, the return of Jesus and the believers union with Jesus. This is the Gospel. So Paul meant for Christians to put sin to death with the Gospel. So what does that look like?

1. You must know what sin you are fighting.
Paul lists particular sins in Colossians 3 and many other places. Sin is always specific, so the fight must be specific. The Gospel addresses all our sins. You must discover the sin that is lurking beneath the sin you are committing. You might be fighting lust, but what is lying beneath it? Perhaps it is a fear you are seeking relief from. Perhaps it is laziness that is preventing you from pursuing your spouse. Lust might be on the surface, but there is most definitely something else beneath the surface.

You do not however, want to overlook the fact that you are committing lust, but you must deal with it on more than one level. In most instances our sins spring from some lack of trust in the true God, and instead we cling to a functional savior, or idol, for our joy and hope. All of us have a center, something we cling to, something that drives us to do what we do. We all have something that gives us meaning and value and when that thing is threatened, we sin. This is why Paul spends so much time, especially in Colossians, rehearsing our identity in Christ. He wants us to know who we are and what we have in Christ. Tim Keller lists particular categories of idols that are helpful in identifying the causes of our sin in his book The Gospel in Life. He says:

• “Life only has meaning/I only have worth if…”
• I have power and influence over others.” (Power Idolatry)
• I am loved and respected by _____.” (Approval Idolatry)
• I have this kind of pleasure experience, a particular quality of life.” (Comfort idolatry)
• I am able to get mastery over my life in the area of _____.” (Control idolatry)
• people are dependent on me and need me.” (Helping Idolatry)
• someone is there to protect me and keep me safe.” (Dependence idolatry)
• I am completely free from obligations or responsibilities to take care of
• someone.” (Independence idolatry)
• I am highly productive and getting a lot done.” (Work idolatry)
• I am being recognized for my accomplishments, and I am excelling in my work.” (Achievement idolatry)
• I have a certain level of wealth, financial freedom, and very nice possessions.” (Materialism idolatry)
• I am adhering to my religion’s moral codes and accomplished in its activities.” (Religion idolatry)
• this one person is in my life and happy to be there, and/or happy with me.” (Individual person idolatry)
• I feel I am totally independent of organized religion and am living by a self-made morality.” (Irreligion idolatry)
• my race and culture is ascendant and recognized as superior.” (Racial/cultural idolatry)
• a particular social grouping or professional grouping or other group lets me in.” (Inner ring idolatry)
• my children and/or my parents are happy and happy with me.” (Family idolatry)
• Mr. or Ms. “Right” is in love with me.” (Relationship Idolatry)
• I am hurting, in a problem; only then do I feel worthy of love or able to deal with guilt.” (Suffering idolatry)
• my political or social cause is making progress and ascending in influence or
• power.” (Ideology idolatry)
• I have a particular kind of look or body image.” (Image idolatry)

Then he looks more closely at the first four categories:

If you seek POWER (success, winning, influence)… Your greatest nightmare: Humiliation
People around you often feel: Used
Your problem emotion: Anger

If you seek APPROVAL (affirmation, love, relationships)… Your greatest nightmare: Rejection
People around you often feel: Smothered
Your problem emotion: Cowardice

If you seek COMFORT (privacy, lack of stress, freedom)… Your greatest nightmare: Stress, demands
People around you often feel: Neglected
Your problem emotion: Boredom

If you seek CONTROL (self-discipline, certainty, standards)… Your greatest nightmare: Uncertainty
People around you often feel: Condemned
Your problem emotion: Worry

This list can be helpful to discovering what is causing the sin that you are struggling with in order for you to identify it. Often, half the battle to fighting sin is being aware of the sin you are fighting. I would caution you however in the search for your idols. Idol searching itself can be an idol! You can focus more on your problems and sins and less on the finished work of Christ. Eventually you must admit that you will never fully know the depths of your soul. But this should not prevent you from keeping a close watch on yourself (1 Timothy 4:16).

To be continued . . .