Embracing Life in Christ: Dying to Self

Today, we gathered around a challenging but life-giving call from Colossians 3: to “put to death” whatever belongs to our earthly nature. This isn’t about legalism or a list of rules, but about living out the reality that our lives are now hidden with Christ. When we choose to follow Jesus, it’s not just about adding Him to our lives—it’s about dying to self and letting Him become our life. The world tells us to chase our desires, to do whatever feels good, but the gospel calls us to something radically different: to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things, and to actively deny ourselves for the sake of true joy and freedom.

We all have an earthly nature—selfishness is hardwired into us. No one has to teach a child to be selfish; it comes naturally. The problem is, when we live as the center of our own universe, we’re often the last to realize it. Paul gives us a list—sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed (which is idolatry)—not to shame us, but to help us see what needs to be put to death. These aren’t just “bad behaviors”; they’re symptoms of a deeper problem: living for self instead of for Christ.

Why does God care so much about these things? Because He loves us. Sin isn’t just “fun stuff” God says no to; it’s destructive stuff He warns us against. The wrath of God is coming, not because He’s mean, but because He’s holy and loving—He knows what sin does to us and to those around us. Our culture tells us that happiness comes from self-fulfillment, but the data—and our own experience—show that the more we chase self, the less satisfied we become.

So how do we put these things to death? First, we need a plan. Most of our worst mistakes aren’t premeditated; they happen because we didn’t plan not to sin. Second, we need to take action—respond to what God is stirring in us. Third, we need to do this daily. Denying self isn’t a one-time event; it’s a daily decision, a daily surrender. And finally, we need to remember that this isn’t about willpower, but about Christ in us. He is enough. He gives us the strength to deny ourselves, to starve our sinful desires, and to walk in freedom. Spiritual maturity means recognizing that our walk is unique, and that God will show each of us what needs to be put to death. The invitation is open: make a move, trust Him, and experience the life you were created for.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. True life in Christ means dying to self, not just adding Jesus to our existing lives. The call to “put to death” our earthly nature is inseparable from the call to follow Jesus. This is not a negative or joyless command, but the pathway to the freedom and fulfillment we were made for. Only by surrendering our self-centered desires can we experience the fullness of life in Christ. [04:10]
• 2. Sin is not simply “fun stuff” that God arbitrarily forbids; it is destructive to our souls, relationships, and communities. God’s commands are not burdensome restrictions, but loving boundaries meant to protect us from harm. When we see His warnings as acts of love, we are freed from the lie that God is anti-joy and can trust Him with our deepest desires. [17:10]
• 3. The process of putting sin to death requires intentionality and action. Most of our failures are not the result of deliberate rebellion, but of failing to plan against temptation. Spiritual growth means making concrete plans to avoid what entices us, taking practical steps, and being honest about our unique weaknesses rather than comparing ourselves to others. [23:31]
• 4. Denying self is a daily, ongoing battle, not a one-time victory. Even as we mature, old desires may resurface or new ones may appear, but the call is to daily take up our cross and follow Jesus. The method is not violent self-hatred, but starving our sinful nature by refusing to feed it, trusting that over time, Christ will change our appetites and strengthen our resolve. [28:05]
• 5. Spiritual maturity involves recognizing that each believer’s journey is unique. What God calls one person to put to death may not be the same for another, and maturity means focusing on our own obedience rather than judging others. The Holy Spirit is faithful to reveal what needs to go, and our role is to respond with humility, repentance, and daily dependence on Christ’s power, not our own strength. [36:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:12] - Introduction: Why This Message Matters
• [04:10] - Set Your Mind on Things Above
• [06:42] - The Reality of Selfishness
• [09:00] - The List: What to Put to Death
• [13:13] - Why God Cares About Our Desires
• [15:30] - The Myth of Consensual Sin
• [17:10] - Sin as Destruction, Not Denial of Fun
• [18:46] - God’s Warnings Are Love
• [21:54] - The Pursuit of Happiness and Self
• [23:31] - How to Put Sin to Death: Have a Plan
• [25:43] - Taking Action: Personal Stories
• [28:05] - The Daily Battle and Starving Sin
• [31:11] - Denying Self and the Christian Life
• [36:16] - Spiritual Maturity and Unique Struggles
• [39:47] - The Second List: Sins Against Others
• [43:36] - Responding to God’s Call and Prayer

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Putting to Death Our Earthly Nature”

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### Bible Reading

Colossians 3:1-8 (ESV)
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Luke 9:23 (ESV)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Colossians 3:5, what specific things does Paul say we are to “put to death” in our lives?
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the real reason God cares about our earthly desires and sins? ([13:13])
3. What does Jesus say is required of anyone who wants to follow Him, according to Luke 9:23?
4. The sermon mentions that “our lives are now hidden with Christ.” What does the pastor say this means for how we view our lives on earth? ([04:10])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that sin is not just “fun stuff” God says no to, but destructive stuff He warns us against. How does this understanding change the way someone might view God’s commands? ([17:10])
2. The pastor talks about the myth that happiness comes from self-fulfillment, but says the more we chase self, the less satisfied we become. Why do you think this is true, both biblically and in real life? ([21:54])
3. The sermon describes “putting to death” our earthly nature as a daily, ongoing process. Why is it important to see this as a daily battle rather than a one-time event? ([28:05])
4. The pastor shares that spiritual maturity means recognizing that each believer’s journey is unique. How does this perspective help us avoid judging others or comparing our struggles? ([36:16])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says that following Jesus is not just about adding Him to our lives, but about dying to self and letting Him become our life. What is one area where you tend to “add Jesus” rather than surrendering control? What would it look like to let Him be Lord in that area? ([04:10])
2. Paul gives a list of things to “put to death” (sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed). Which of these do you find most challenging, and what practical step could you take this week to “starve” that desire? ([06:42])
3. The pastor says most of our worst mistakes happen because we didn’t plan not to sin. What is one temptation you face regularly, and what specific plan could you make to avoid it? ([23:31])
4. The sermon emphasizes that denying self is a daily decision. What is one daily habit or prayer you could start to help you surrender your desires to Jesus each morning? ([28:05])
5. The pastor shared a story about a friend who took action when God revealed something that needed to change. Is there something God has been nudging you to put to death or let go of? What would it look like to take action this week? ([25:43])
6. The sermon says that spiritual maturity means focusing on our own obedience rather than judging others. Is there someone you tend to compare yourself to or judge? How can you shift your focus to your own walk with God? ([36:16])
7. The pastor said, “You try to do this on your own strength... you will fail. It’s through Jesus that you put these things to death.” Where do you need to ask for Christ’s strength instead of relying on your own willpower? ([36:16])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray silently or aloud, asking God to reveal any area where they are living for self, and to give them the courage and strength to put it to death, trusting in Christ’s power and love.