May 20, 2025

DO SOMETHING ABOUT SIN

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.” 

Colossians 3:5–7 NLT

---

TODAY’S THOUGHT

Paul doesn’t sugarcoat it—he gets real about sin. He doesn’t say manage it, ignore it, or excuse it. He says kill it.

“Put to death” means we don’t play around with sin—we eliminate it. Especially the kind that takes root quietly and corrupts us from the inside: sexual immorality, lust, evil desires, and greed. Paul connects all of these to idolatry—the worship of created things instead of the Creator.

What is idolatry today?

We often imagine idol worship as something from ancient times or distant cultures. But Paul reminds us: idolatry is alive and well—especially in our hearts.

Whenever we look to something other than God to give us meaning, satisfaction, or identity, we are bowing to an idol.

• Sexual fulfillment without boundaries.

• Possessions that define our worth.

• Addictions that numb the pain but never heal it.

• Greed that tells us we never have enough.

These are false gods—they demand everything, but give nothing lasting in return.

Sin can’t be managed. It must be destroyed.

Paul warns that because of these sins, God’s judgment is coming. That’s not cruel—that’s justice. Sin destroys lives, relationships, families, and our own souls. We can’t negotiate with it. We can’t wait it out. We must put it to death.

A Tree Lesson: Don’t Let Decay Spread

When I moved into a new home, some of the trees in my yard started looking sick. I tried everything I could on the surface—sprays, treatments—but nothing worked. Finally, I called a tree expert. After examining them, he said the trees had dead branches that were infested with insects. Because I didn’t remove the branches early on, the infestation had spread—and now the whole tree had to be removed.

That’s how sin works.

Unchecked, it spreads.

Unchallenged, it devours.

What starts as a “small issue” can eat away at your entire spiritual life. The only remedy is total removal.

Reflection:

Ask yourself: What “dead branches” am I tolerating? What sins have I left untreated, thinking they’ll resolve on their own? Have I let greed, lust, or addiction quietly erode my walk with Christ?

God isn’t calling us to feel bad about sin—He’s calling us to do something about it. Not later. Not when it’s more convenient. Now.

---

TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, I ask for Your help. Show me where sin has crept in and taken root. Give me the strength to cut off anything that’s separating me from Your life and joy. I choose this day to walk in freedom and leave the idols behind. Amen.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”