Getting Rid of the Ungodly Words and Actions in our Life

Writing to the Christians in Colosse, the apostle Paul wrote, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, slander, filthy language out of your mouth” (Colossians 3:8). Before a person becomes a Christian it’s natural to lived according to worldly customs which are motivated and led by satanic forces and the desires of their sinful flesh (Ephesians 2:2-3). After a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior they receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. As believers we’re to be led by the Holy Spirit, not by our own sinful flesh and the ungodly customs and traditions of this world. This takes actions on our part; we’re to stop living like we did when we were unbelievers—we now have God’s Holy Spirit to guide our life.

Isaiah wrote, “We are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). As unbelievers we’re like a beggar in filthy and ragged clothes; there’s nothing we can do to please God. But when we trust in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He takes the filthy rags of our old life and gives us a new life in Christ Jesus. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). For a Christian to dig up those filthy rags of our old sinful life and put them back on again is totally inconsistent with being a child of God. Christians are to put away the evil thoughts, words, and actions of their old life and live our new life in Christ Jesus led by the power of God.

Anger comes from the Greek word “Orgay” and it means deep-seated anger that resides in our mind, and it rises up every time we see someone do or say something, or a situation we don’t like. This type of deep seated anger and resentment are like a fire that’s lingering under the surface of dry grass, and all it takes is a little agitation for it to break out into a wildfire that destroys everything in its path. Saul’s vindictive anger towards David caused God to destroy Saul and his sons.

Wrath and malice (a desire to do evil) are the by-products of this deep seated anger; this type of anger breaks out into a rage that’s usually destructive to everyone involved—it’s a dangerous way to live our life. The Bible says, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put off all filthiness and wickedness (James 1:19-21).When Christians allow the Holy Spirit to rule their life they’ll exhibit the characteristics of the Holy Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Slander and filthy talk are so common in our world today that we’ve come to think of this ungodly talking as normal—but slander and filthy talk shouldn’t be a part of a Christian’s life. Using ungodly slander and filthy talk to describe someone demonstrates more about the ungodliness of the slanderer than it does about the person that’s being slandered. “Let not a slanderer be established in the earth” (Psalm 140:11). Jesus said, “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Matthew 7:2). “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things” (Romans 2:1).

Paul warns Christians about being puffed up because of their own physical and mental abilities. “For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 1:7). Criticizing other people’s physical looks and mental capabilities’ is very ungodly. Jesus said, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36).

“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds (Colossians 3:9). Lying comes natural to sinful humanity! People lie to make themselves look better than other people, make other people’s sins look worse than theirs, and to destroy another person’s reputation. With their lying tongue a person can become a thief, commit adultery, destroy families, and even destroy a nation (James 3:1-12). Describing all of humanity, the Bible says, “Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” (Romans 3:13-14a). Anyone who says they never lie is instantly telling a lie. Peter said, “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit…because the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:10-12). “A liar will love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking righteousness” (Psalm 52:3).

“Put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Colossians 3:10). As Christians we are to [by faith] consider our old sinful lifestyle crucified with Christ and dead (Romans 6:6). When we trusted in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we were spiritually born again and received the Holy Spirit. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

There’s no good excuse for a Christian to live an ungodly lifestyle; it demonstrates that a professing Christian isn’t truly born again, or they’re being disobedient Christians. God has every right to discipline a Christian who’s living an ungodly lifestyle (Hebrews 12:3-11). Many disobedient Christians have died an early death because of their ungodly words and actions (1 Corinthians 11:30-32, 1 John 5:16-17). No Christian can live a perfect life while we’re living in our earthly body, but we can do our best!