Colossians 3:8-10
But now 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. NIV
The Word of God gives us practical guidance regarding how to live up to our new life in Christ. Sometimes this comes in the form of negative lists–hindrances to God-pleasing lives.
The passage above is preceded by such a negative list : “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5). These can be termed SINS OF PASSION. Beloved, we will struggle to fervently worship the Father as long as our hearts are driven by wicked desires. Solution? Don’t tolerate, justify or suppress such things–kill them off!
Now, today’s text focuses on what may be termed VERBAL SINS. Beloved, worthy worship cannot spring from dirty lips! How can we express loving adoration when our hearts are full of anger, lies and bitterness? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Mat 15:19). Therefore authentic worship necessarily flows from pure hearts.
In short, if we truly intend to fulfil our duty to glorify God as a lifestyle, we have to rid our hearts of evil desires and malicious words by the Spirit. Then from the springs of our hearts will not spill forth blessing and cursing, faith and fear, love and hate, fresh and bitter waters (see James 3:9-11). Only pure worship will be the norm.
Pastor Josh