Holy Killing & Removal
Col. 3:5-11
Introduction
We talk about holiness, holy lives, and holy things. Muslims have their own holy war in which they believe that they are justified in killing people who does not share the same belief as them. In contrast to us Christians, killing is absolutely forbidden. We are commanded to love even our enemies. However, I do believe that there are instances in which we are allowed by the Word of God to kill, and I call this holy killing one that is approved and commanded by the Lord.
I. Mortify means to put to death (3:5). They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (Gal. 5:24). This however cannot be done without the Holy Spirit working in his life. Putting to death the listed sins below can be done and must be done now. The members of our body that disobeys God must be put to death.
A. Sexual Sins
1. Fornication – refers to illegal sexual intercourse in general, both by those married and unmarried. Generally it includes adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality. The word fornication is mentioned in the Bible 36 times. In the OT it refers to the apostasy of Israel. Jehovah was the husband of Israel. Each time Israel worship idols they commit fornication. Victory over fornication comes by running away or staying away from it.
Fornication is very common in High Schools, Colleges, and Universities. It is also rampant in offices as well as in job areas where man and women work together. According to latest survey immorality does not begin in High School anymore, it now begins in grade school. Sad to say that it has invaded the church also devastating lives and destroying testimonies of church members including pastors.
2. Uncleanness – refers to physical or moral impurity especially in relationship to sexual sin. The state of the mind that delights in immoral lustful lawless things. Paul uses the word to refer to impure motives in 1 Thess. 2:3,
3. Inordinate affection – in Greek this is pathos which is used in positive or negative sense. Here it means depraved or vile passion specifically evil desire, which is probably a desire for sexual perversion as in Rom. 1:26-27.
4. Evil concupiscence – this is a desire for what is forbidden, or lust (Rom. 7:7, Jas. 1:14, 1 Pet. 1:14, Gal. 5:24). Evil desire describes that type of life which is always desirous of things forbidden.
5. Covetousness which is idolatry – covetousness is greedy desire to have more. It is the constant desire for material things, and the feelings that material things makes up real life. It is rooted in selfishness and mistrust of God. This results in discontent, stealing, debt, etc. Covetousness is a constant desire for earthly things, they become god to us and the desire for them is a form of idolatry.
Someone has written that the desire to have more and more is a vanity that can never satisfy. The cure for covetousness is satisfaction which comes from knowing Christ (Phil. 4:10-13). Knowing Him personally will fill the emptiness in your heart and then you will realize that having Christ in your life is enough.
B. Social Sins – for these sins we are commanded by God to “put off”. The first five sins, we are to “put to death”. Putting off is just like removing dirty clothes.
1. Anger – a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility cause by an insult or offense.
2. Wrath – forceful often vindictive anger, resulting in punishment or vengeance
3. Malice – a desire to harm others or to see others suffer, the intent without just cause or reason to commit a wrongful act that will result harm to others.
4. Blasphemy – an act of disrespect concerning something sacred or God. The act of claiming for oneself attributes and rights of God.
5. Filthy communication – Fouls speaking or obscene language.
6. Lying – to make a declaration which is untrue, to falsify.
II. Why we have to kill them
1. You are dead to those sins
2. They causes God’s wrath (3:6)
3. They are the works of the unsaved persons. (3:7-8a, 9b).
III. Conclusion
Now that we are saved, we must mortify or put to death those sexual and social sins we have just seen. Live righteously so that we will not provoke God’s wrath. We can only do this if we walk thru the Spirit.
Preached: 26 May 2013
