We’ve been talking about Colossians 3:15. That’s where Paul told his readers to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”

One of the ways we welcome and cooperate with that rule is to imitate Jesus. Paul gave some great wisdom about how to do that in verses 12-17.

Not only did he tell the Colossians what to do, but he also told them what not to do. If you want to be healthier, it’s not just about eating healthy food; it’s also about limiting the amount of junk you stuff in your face when no one is looking! Sure, a few snacks are good here and there, but you get my point. It’s not just about what you do, but about what you don’t do.

In Colossians 3:8-10 he writes: “you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

For the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts, not only do we need to do certain things, but we need to stop doing other things. 

Let’s not miss that Paul says this because he loves them and wants good things for them! It’s important to remember that. If we don’t, we can wrongly conclude that Paul is some sort of frowning authoritarian. But no. He intervenes because he wants more for them, not less.

N.T. Wright captures this idea when he writes: “Self-indulgence and habitual anger and lying may seem like fun for a while, but they destroy you sooner or later—often sooner.”*

As you seek—with God’s help—to yield to him so that his peace can more powerfully rule within you, is there something you need to stop doing? 

Unrighteous anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, and lying are obscuring the peace of Christ which longs to rule in your heart. They are discordant with our Saviour’s song.

“…put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

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Notes and extra content: 

–“Turbulence – Sarah Joy Covey interviews me about my book and navigating the storms of life.” Recently I was interviewed about my book, how it intersects with our wellness journey, and how the book can help. Click here, or find ‘The Covey Wellness Centre’ podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

–*N.T. Wright, Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015), 181.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.