Yep, another “therefore”. Since you are dead to the world and will appear with Christ in glory, put to death the earthly and evil parts of your nature. Νεκρωσατε is the Greek word translated “put to death”. Some commentators believe the verb is used metaphorically meaning to “deprive a thing of its power, to destroy its strength” while others say mortify is used in its literal sense of “put to death”. (When they say “literal” I can’t help but imagining someone gouging out the eye that offends them.”) The point is that you have to take action. You cannot merely sit passively and hope that your behavior changes. You have to take steps to feed what is “heavenly” in you through prayer, reading Scripture, and practicing the fruit of the Spirit. Likewise you must starve your evil nature by fleeing from sin, recognizing it in your life, and confessing. We are engaged in a daily battle to become more like Christ, so put on your armor!
Don’t fall into a prideful trap of glancing at this as if it is an exhaustive list that you may have under control. Yes, you may not be “caught in adultery” but I bet you covet from time to time, and I can guarantee you deal with the occasional evil desire. Επιθυμιαν κακην joins two words and means and strong and vehement desire of any kind that is evil. That’s a pretty broad category! I personally sub in “temper” for “evil desires” and know I deserve the wrath of God.
Search your heart today and work to pull the weeds of sin from the soil of your heart!
Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Romans 6:13
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