Study Guide: Colossians 3:5-11
*This study guide can be used in conjunction with the message preached on March 1, 2026 during the series Jesus >.
Pray
Before you begin the study today, take a moment to settle your heart. Colossians 3:5–11 presents us with a radical "wardrobe change" of the soul—a call to change the tattered, earthly rags of our old nature and put on the new self, which is being renewed in the image of Christ. In Christ, the old labels of your past, your culture, and your mistakes no longer define you. Take sixty seconds of silence now. Imagine yourself physically laying down a heavy burden at the feet of Jesus, preparing a space for Him to dress you in His righteousness as you read.
Read
Colossians 3:5-11
Observe
vv. 5-7 | Putting to Death the Old Nature
Because of our union with the risen Christ, we are called to a radical and decisive "execution" of our earthly inclinations. The Greek term “nekrosate” implies more than mere self-control; it suggests a total extermination of the old way of life. This process involves naming and identifying specific sins—such as sexual immorality, impurity, and greed—to strip them of their influence. Greed, or covetousness, is highlighted as a particularly insidious form of idolatry because it replaces a righteous relationship with God with a devotion to material things. Choosing to identify with Jesus means we can no longer walk in these behaviors, which inherently invite the wrath of God. While these sins may have defined our past, they are considered "past tense" for the believer. A Christian might occasionally stumble, but these vices should never characterize their consistent "walk" or manner of living.
vv. 8-9 | Removing Traces of Worldliness
Transitioning into a deeper level of obedience, Paul shifts the focus from outward sexual sins to the "little" sins of the heart and tongue that are often overlooked. We are commanded to discard anger, wrath, malice, and slander as if they were filthy, outgrown clothes. A significant emphasis is placed on the power of our speech; lying and "filthy language" are incompatible with a life transformed by the Spirit. This transformation requires us to bridle the tongue, recognizing that even subtle deceptions through tone or silence are betrayals of the truth. By putting off the "old man" and his deeds, we treat these sinful surges as alien intruders who have no legal right to reside in our hearts or give us orders.
vv. 10-11 | Putting on the New Man
As we strip away the old, we must actively "clothe" ourselves in a new identity that is constantly being renewed through the knowledge of God. This new nature is patterned after the image of our Creator, echoing the original design of humanity in Genesis but perfected in the "second Adam," Jesus Christ. This internal renewal has powerful social implications, as it has the ability to dismantle the barriers of race, religion, class, and culture. In the Kingdom of God, distinctions between Greek and Jew, or slave and free, lose their power to divide because Christ becomes the central reality for everyone. Historically, this was evidenced in the early church, where Roman matrons stood hand-in-hand with their slaves in the face of martyrdom, proving that their common faith in Christ had created a bond far stronger than any societal label.
Credit: Guzik, David. “Colossians 3 - Put off, Put On.” Enduring Word, n.d., https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/colossians-3.
Application
1. Conduct a "Spiritual Inventory" of Your Speech
Since Paul places a heavy emphasis on the "sins of the tongue" in verses 8 and 9, a primary application is to monitor the life of your words. The text suggests that things like "filthy language," "malice," and "lying" are remnants of the old self that must be discarded like dirty laundry. Try this: For the next 24 hours, pay close attention to your reactions when you are frustrated or inconvenienced. Do you resort to "wrath" (outbursts) or "slander" (speaking ill of others behind their backs)? When you feel the urge to speak out of your "old nature," pause and consciously choose a response that reflects your new identity in Christ.
2. Identify and "De-Throne" Modern Day Idols
The passage makes a direct connection between covetousness (greed) and idolatry. This suggests that wanting "more"—whether it's more clothes, more followers, or more status—is actually a form of worship directed away from God. Take a look at the areas of your life where you feel the most discontent or "need" to acquire something to feel happy. Try a “fast” from a specific consumer habit this week (like scrolling through shopping apps or comparing your life to others on social media). Replace that time with a prayer of gratitude, acknowledging that Christ is "all and in all" and is sufficient for your needs.
3. Defy Labels in Your Community
Verse 11 is a powerful call to tear down social, racial, and economic barriers. It is easy to retreat into "cliques" or groups of people who look and act exactly like us. Identify a "barrier" you have subconsciously built—perhaps toward someone from a different social circle, a different ethnic background, or someone you simply find "difficult." Intentionally move toward that person this week. Initiate a conversation or offer a gesture of kindness. By doing so, you demonstrate the reality that in the "new man," there is no "Greek or Jew, slave or free," but only the unifying presence of Jesus.
Pray (ACTS)
What is the ACTS prayer model?
A - Praise God as the One who is renewing you daily into His image.
C - Confess any “dirty laundry” you still often cling to and want to wear.
T - Thank God for the gift of a new identity in Jesus, free from the power of past mistakes.
S - Ask the Holy Spirit for the strength today to discard every habit that doesn’t honor Him.
Discuss
Questions for personal reflection, spiritual insight, or group interaction.
Paul uses the strong phrase "put to death." Which of the sins listed in verse 5 do you find most difficult to view as "dead" rather than just "suppressed"?
How does the Bible’s definition of greed as "idolatry" change the way you look at your bank account or your social media wish lists?
Verse 7 says we "once walked" in these ways. What is one specific change in your character that proves you are no longer the person you used to be?
If your spiritual life were a literal outfit today, would you be wearing the "old rags" of your temper or the "new clothes" of Christ?
Verse 10 says we are being "renewed in knowledge." How does studying the Bible specifically help "reshape" your personality to look more like Jesus?
Why is it important for a Christian to understand that God is truly angry at sin (v. 6) while also being completely merciful to the sinner?
In what ways does the "New Man" (Jesus) succeed in areas where the "First Man" (Adam) failed in the Garden of Eden?
What does the phrase "Christ is all, and in all" (v. 11) mean for your identity when you feel like you aren't "enough" for the world's standards?
Verse 11 lists several groups that were bitter enemies in the Roman world. What are the modern "Greek vs. Jew" or "Slave vs. Free" divisions that we still struggle with in our community today?
Paul focuses heavily on speech (v. 8-9). As a group, how can we hold each other accountable to "put off" gossip or "filthy language" without being judgmental?
If "Christ is all" in every person, how should that change the way we handle a disagreement or a conflict within our group circles?
How does the truth that Christ transcends nationality and culture change your perspective on Christians living in parts of the world very different from your own?
Memory Verse
Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Resources for Further Study of Colossians: