This is what is means to live without Jesus: we live in ways that are driven by lust, by selfishness, and by greed. That is how all of us have lived at some point. Yet, because of Jesus, we are in a new place, we have a new identity, and the old way of living no longer makes any sense.

The instruction in Colossians 3:5 is a quite unusual one to our ears. We are to put what is earthly to death. When those words turn up in other places in the Bible, they usually mean what they literally say, to kill something or someone. But here the idea is not literal but is just as extreme. We are being asked to put something to death. There is something final, something very serious about this.

What are Christians being asked to put to death? “Earthly things”. We don’t need to work out what these kinds of things are, for Paul gives us a list. In fact, he gives us two lists, one in v5, and another in v7. The examples of earthly things in v5 are “sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry”. You can probably see the theme here. All of these things have to do with sexual temptation. Don’t misread some of these things. It is not wrong to be passionate; what is meant by “passion” is a desire for sex and lust for others that we should not have. “Evil desire” does not mean that we can stop lustful thoughts entering our minds; these things occur to all of us even when we don’t want them. But this means to dwell on it, to entertain the idea, to think about it. And covetousness means wanting what is not yours, which Paul says is idolatry, living for something that is not God.

Many in our world are driven by lust and a desire for sex. That is all too commonly seen in pornography, in Tinder, in a whole series of decisions and life choices that chase the next sexual experience. This is a destructive way to live, that Paul says must be put to death.

We see another list of “earthly things” in v8 and 9. This list includes “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth”. Lying to one another is added in v9. What do the items on this list have in common? They all have to do with our attitude towards other people. When we see other people as competition, or items to make fun of, or problems for us, we end up with anger and slander and lying. This is destructive for us and for them.

The fact there are two lists here shows us that they are a summary, not a complete list. You could easily come up with a list of behaviours that support a life of greed, for example, or a list that outlaws chasing other religions. The point is that there are all kinds of attitudes and behaviours that make no sense for Christians to be part of. Things that must be put to death.

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