Colossians 3:8 – Three Minute Bible

February 14, 2025February 14, 2025

Colossians 3:8f – Words of War

Picture of a toy cannon with the words "Filthy Language" on the side, surrounded by toy soldiers.

[… rid yourselves of all such things] … and filthy language from your lips.

Summary: Words can be weapons. Paul points out that the tools of slander are words that cause real hurt.

If your idea of “filthy language” is anything that gets **BLEEPED** out on TV, you are on the right track. Strong’s Concordance calls this kind of language “vile conversation.” “But wait!” (As they say on TV), “There’s more!!”

The Greek word Paul used has roots. They are made up of root words that mean “shameful” (G153) and to “disfigure” or be “ashamed.”

February 13, 2025February 13, 2025

Colossians 3:8e – Doom Loop

Hand holding a lighted wooden match with a dark woods in the background.

[… rid yourselves of] … slander …

Summary: By following each step in Paul’s thinking, we discover that he has something very specific in mind.

Let’s go back and review the whole verse so far:

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander …”

Paul is painting a portrait of a slave to SELF. When we put our self-interest above God and others, we will always find things that offend us. The rest of the world is only interested in pleasing themselves, so since my SELF is most important (to me), it is very irritating when other people do not share my concern for my own happiness.

February 12, 2025February 12, 2025

Colossians 3:8d – The Opposite of Good

Picture of a man with a devil on his shoulder whispering in his ear.

[… rid yourselves of] … malice …

Summary: Words have meanings, and meanings are important. “Malice” may not be a word we use very often anymore, but it is a good word that describes a very common condition.

One of the things Paul encourages us to get rid of is “malice.” Malice is a great word, but one we don’t often use. The simplest definition I found for it is “the intention or desire to do evil.”* More explicitly, it is a desire to do harm or cause suffering.

Okay … “evil” is a small word, but it carries a big stick. What does “evil” mean?

February 11, 2025February 11, 2025

Colossians 3:8c – Wrath, Rage, and Bugs

Picture of a cartoon bug holding a sign that reads "The End is Near!"

[… rid yourselves of] … rage …

Summary: Seeing ourselves from God’s point of view is a challenge. Especially when trying to understand what it means to be under God’s wrath.

The word Paul used in this sentence is not always translated as “rage.” In fact, about two-thirds of available English translations of the Bible use the word “wrath” instead. Is there a difference?

From a human point of view, there may not be much difference. From God’s point of view, there is a difference.

February 10, 2025February 10, 2025

Colossians 3:8b – Anger Management

[… rid yourselves of] … anger …

Summary: Anger has been around for a long time. In most cases, human anger is the result of putting ourselves before God. When that happens, frustration and anger are not far behind.

The kingdom of heaven doesn’t just happen by itself. The King’s people need to stand up and be counted for the kingdom to exist on earth.

One way we are counted as People of God is by mastering our anger. God’s people don’t get angry. Well, not like ordinary people, anyway.

So what is anger, anyway?

February 8, 2025February 9, 2025

Colossians 3:8a – Deeds and Weeds

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: …

Summary: Do we really have to “rid” ourselves of the things on Paul’s list of bad habits? The answer to that question leads us to a deeper understanding of God’s will for us. In the end, we discover that spiritual growth involves work, but this work is a response to God’s grace, not a means of earning salvation.

Our last meditation discovered an interesting link between our Lord’s parable about the kingdom of heaven and how we are to live our lives as believers. In our passage for this meditation, Paul doubles down on that discovery.

What was that discovery, you ask?

Simply this: God expects us to work for his kingdom while we are here.