Do not lie to each other
Colossians 3:9-10 - Each day we must renew our commitment to reshape ourselves in God’s image and put aside the old self.
“You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self”. Image generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI) using the DALL·E model.
“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.”
Colossians 3:9-10 NIV
The Epistle to the Colossians was a letter written by Paul and Timothy to the church of Colossae, a small city about 100 miles away from Ephesus in Asia Minor. The first two chapters of the epistle predominantly discuss church doctrine, while the latter chapters describe how followers of Christ should conduct themselves.
Just before today’s verses, Paul describes the two paths available to believers: there’s one that is in alignment with who Christ is and who we are in Him, a path that leads to abundant, eternal life. The other path of immorality and evil living is not in alignment with Christ and seeking His Kingdom, and it is a path leading to misery and death.
Paul has described priorities in Christian living earlier in this chapter, mainly not engaging in sexual immorality, not placing emphasis on material things, and living with love for each other.
Paul begins the first of today’s verses by saying “Do not lie to each other,” so it’s apparent that lying was a real issue in the Colossians community. This commentary from The Bible Says explains that lying is a sin that goes two ways:
Notice the reciprocity inherit in this statement—to each other. Communicating truth is a shared responsibility. Each member has to steward their part. When people lie to one another, they put a veil between themselves and the truth. Thus, they create a separation (death) in their relationship. A barrier that invites them to detach a little from reality, which encourages people and communities to live in misalignment with Christ.
The verse goes on to explain why the Colossians should refrain from lying to one another: “since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self.” There is a wonderful ancient Greek word that Paul uses here; the NIV translation is “taken off your old self,” while the original Greek word ἀπεκδύομαι (apekdyomai) is better translated as (from Blue Letter Bible):
wholly put off from one’s self
denoting separation from what is put off
wholly to strip off for one’s self (for one’s own advantage)
despoil, disarm
So by taking on the Christian life, they put off their old selves, essentially taking away the power of the old lives and sins over their lives. It’s as if the sinful former lives were a ticking bomb disarmed by Christ’s sacrifice.
The old self has been replaced with a new self, the process of being “born again in Christ” having occurred. But as The Bible Says goes on to explain:
In order to gain full benefit and experience the power of the new self, this is a continuous decision, not a one-off chore. It is something believers must actively decide to do over and over, every moment of every day.
Note that Paul uses the past tense here to talk about this transformation in the lives of the Colossians — “have taken off your old self…” They’ve already accepted Christ; Paul is reminding them of that so that they commit to being consistent in their new lives.
The last phrase in verse 10 might seem a little confusing: “which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” The Bible Says has a very good explanation of this:
Each day the new self is put on, it is growing, maturing, becoming more and more like Christ. The old self is always destined for decay. It is dying, always dying. But the new self is progressing. It is constantly being renewed. Therefore, it always ought to be put on, and the old self set aside. This is a constant process, daily, moment by moment.
The new self is being renewed in (or into) a true knowledge. The thing the new self is progressing toward is truth. It is maturing into reality, learning how to think, perceive, and act within existence as it is rather than as our flesh would like it to be. It is not acquiring the false knowledge offered by the world. Rather it is acquiring a true knowledge, of what is real and right. It is important to note that the old self is not acquiring any of these positive traits. It is always old and corrupt. It is unreformable. The only proper place for it is in the “dirty clothes hamper” of life. To be set aside.
This renewal is being done according to the image of the One who created him [the new self]. So, we are back to the idea of alignment. The Creator made each self, each person, to live within reality and interact with that reality for the sake of God’s Kingdom. God created each person to be fulfilled by contributing their gifts in ruling the earth in harmony and teamwork (see commentary on Psalm 8).
Each day we must renew our commitment to reshape ourselves in God’s image and put aside the old self.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Thank You, God, for this message reminding us to always speak the truth and to deal honestly with others. May we discard our old ways and be clothed in the newness of life that You offer, seeking to grow in our knowledge and understanding of You and reflecting the image of Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your transforming grace and mercy, AMEN.