Put to Death

Colossians 3:5 tells us to mortify sin in our lives. To mortify means, “to make dead, to put to death, slay.” Five things are specifically mentioned (a host of others are found throughout the New Testament). The first item on the list is “fornication.” It is defined as “illicit sexual intercourse.” It includes men with women and men/women with animals. Its definition is very clear and understandable. First Corinthians 6:13 says, “the body is not for fornication.” By observation, though, you would not know fornication is evil (immoral). It is on display all around us: movies, television, music, videos, songs, magazines, books. The thoughts and intents of people’s hearts are filled with wickedness continually (cf. Genesis 6:5). First John 5:19 says, “The whole world lies in wickedness.” However, God tells us to “flee fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:18) and put it to death. When we obey the Gospel, we put away the old man of sin and walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-18). How about you?