Colossians 3:7–11, Becoming New

Paul’s words in Colossians 3 call believers to remember both where they came from and who they are now. The old life was marked by things that bring the wrath of God, but Christ became the final sacrifice so that grace could cover sin and make people alive in the Spirit. The new covenant does not give people another stack of rules to carry around. Christ says, “Believe in me. Follow me,” and that simple call should not be complicated by religious performance.

Paul’s reminder that believers “once walked” in these things is meant to encourage and spur them on. The old life should not become a reason for shame, but neither should it be forgotten. Spiritual pride starts talking like somebody has arrived, has it all together, and has no more need for correction. The refining fire of God keeps bringing impurities to the surface, not to destroy His children, but to scoop off what does not belong and make them more like Christ.

The contrast between position and practice matters. Salvation places a person in the position of a son or daughter of God, but that position should shape the way that person lives. At the same time, religious work without the position of being in Christ is just unpaid labor. The new birth must grow into maturity, as discernment is trained through constant practice.

Paul’s list moves from roots in the heart to fruit that comes out in words and actions. Anger can be righteous when evil hurts the innocent, but selfish anger that festers becomes wrath, malice, and damage toward others. Slander can hide behind a prayer request, but love goes to the brother or sister directly instead of spreading offense around the church. Obscene talk is not only about cussing; it includes the kind of conversation that reflects a carnal mind instead of Christ.

The new self requires intentionality. Old thought patterns make deep ruts, like a trail worn through the woods, and those ruts do not disappear by accident. Christ renews the mind as believers put off lying and learn truthfulness, put off slander and build people up, put off anger and learn patience. Christ is all and in all, so identity no longer rests in background, status, past failure, or human categories. The child of the King is called to walk in love, receive correction with humility, put sin to death now, and let practice line up with position.

##

---

Key Takeaways

• 1. Position in Christ must shape practice [17:09] Salvation is not merely a label somebody wears or a role somebody claims. The position of son or daughter of God carries a new identity that should show up in work, speech, relationships, and private choices. Practice cannot earn the position, but the position calls for practice that looks like the Father. [17:09]
• 2. God refines what still remains [14:33] The fire of God brings hidden impurities to the surface. Growth does not mean a believer has arrived or no longer needs correction. Refining grace keeps removing what does not belong while forming a life that more clearly reflects Christ. [14:33]
• 3. Heart sins eventually become spoken sins [23:01] Anger, wrath, and malice do not stay buried in the heart. They eventually come out as slander, dirty talk, lies, harshness, and division. Christ does not merely ask for cleaner words; He reaches down into the root beneath them. [23:01]
• 4. Put off the old, put on Christ [40:11] Christian growth is more than quitting bad habits. Truth replaces lying, encouragement replaces slander, and patience replaces anger. The new self is not an empty space where old behavior used to be; it is a life actively shaped into Christ’s image. [40:11]
• 5. Love receives correction with humility [45:15] The flesh wants to defend itself when somebody points out a hard truth. Christlike love pauses, listens, and admits when personal frustration has been spilled onto others. Humility makes room for repentance before wounded relationships become deeper divisions.
  
  ## [45:15]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:01] - Colossians and the New Covenant
• [05:05] - Grace Over Religious Complication
• [07:37] - Put to Death the Earthly Nature
• [09:01] - Born Again in the Spirit
• [11:16] - Remember Where Christ Brought You From
• [13:52] - The Refining Fire of God
• [15:30] - Position Versus Practice
• [18:29] - Spiritual Growth and Discernment
• [23:53] - Anger, Wrath, and Malice
• [29:17] - Slander and Church Unity
• [32:40] - Speech That Reflects Christ
• [35:43] - Renewing the Mind and New Self
• [40:11] - Replacing the Old With the New
• [43:55] - Walking in Love and Identity
• [49:01] - Make Practice Match Position

Bible Reading

Colossians 3:7-10
“In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” [08:12]

Hebrews 5:12-14
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” [19:09]

1 John 4:8
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” [43:55]

Observation questions

1. In Colossians 3:7-10, what behaviors does Paul say belong to the old self, and what does he say is happening to the new self? [08:12]
2. What contrast is made between being in the position of a son or daughter of God and merely doing religious work? [15:44]
3. According to Hebrews 5:12-14, how are believers’ powers of discernment trained as they grow toward maturity? [19:09]
4. In Paul’s list, how do heart-level sins such as anger, wrath, and malice lead into sins of speech like slander, obscene talk, and lying? [23:01]

Interpretation questions

1. Why would Paul remind believers that they “once walked” in sinful patterns? How can that reminder give hope without leading a person into shame or spiritual pride? [10:13]
2. What does it mean that a believer’s position in Christ should shape his or her practice, while good behavior by itself cannot give someone that position? [17:09]
3. How does the image of refining metal help explain why correction and conviction are part of God’s loving work in a believer’s life? [14:37]
4. Why is slander especially harmful to unity in the church, even when it is presented as concern or a request for prayer? What does love require instead? [29:17]

Application questions

1. Where have you seen a gap between your position as God’s child and your everyday practice—in your home, work, private thoughts, speech, or relationships? What is one area where you want your practice to better reflect your identity in Christ? [50:38]
2. Is there an old pattern of thought that has become a deep rut for you, such as bitterness, fear, lust, anger, dishonesty, or negative self-talk? What intentional step could help you begin building a new pattern this week? [36:20]
3. When you become angry, what usually happens next? How can you tell the difference between concern over real evil and selfish anger that is beginning to fester into wrath or malice? [24:31]
4. Think about a recent conversation at home, work, school, or church. Did your words build others up, or did they lean toward gossip, slander, crude talk, harshness, or dishonesty? What would it look like to put off that old pattern and put on speech that reflects Christ? [40:11]
5. Is there an offense you have been carrying or discussing with others instead of addressing directly and lovingly with the person involved? What might a humble, truthful conversation look like? [31:03]
6. How do you normally respond when someone close to you points out a sin, attitude, or harsh pattern in your life? What would it look like to pause, listen, and receive correction with humility this week? [45:15]