Nov 24

Colossians 3:56
Memorise Colossians 3:56
“…mortify therefore your members…”

The instruction in Colossians 3:5 is to “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth…” What are these earthly members (parts) for you? It is the flesh that engages in all these abominable sins of the world. We are to take strong measures to deal very harshly with sin. The action commanded is for us to mortify, meaning to put to death, to destroy its strength! The first of these earthly affections, fornication, usually comes through tempting the eyes, and we must shut our eyes to anything that tempts us to sexual sin. Dear teen, be very careful with your choices in media and entertainment. Don’t be foolish to think that mortification is not necessary, that you are strong enough to look at such scenes and not feel tempted to sin! As long as we are in this mortal body, we can be tempted to sin if we allow our members to be exposed to sin. The second of these affections is uncleanness, meaning moral impurity, which covers all other sexual sins, too many to list. The internet today is a minefield of dangerous temptations especially with regards to sexual immorality. I advise teens to always use their computer within the view of other family members instead of hiding away from sight. Inordinate affection describes sinful, unnatural passions, and refers specifically to the sin of homosexuality (Romans 1:26). In many single gender secondary schools today, homosexuality rears its ugly head. One should avoid having close physical contact with another member of the same gender behind closed doors, in order to avoid surfacing these unnatural feelings. Evil concupiscence, or longing after forbidden fruit, is often the product of first tasting such fruit. I often advise those considering courtship never to kiss until after marriage, for the passions that are inflamed cannot be easily quenched. Covetousness is the love of money, the idol of so many. This pride of life comes through temptation of the heart, where we lust after what money can bring. While money is not in itself evil, it is the love of money that is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). We therefore need to guard our ears by not exposing it to the ways of this world and what money can buy: don’t become obsessed with always having the latest gadgets or the trendiest fashions, holidaying in the most exotic locations, or enjoying the best luxuries that money can bring you.

In summary, dear teen, deal harshly with yourselves, flee from all temptation! Turn away from evil!

Thought: Why does God’s Word specifically speak of youthful lusts?
Prayer: “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?”