Colossians 3:9, "Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings," is a powerful statement about the transformation that should occur in the life of a Christian. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"Don’t lie to one another...": This is a direct command against deceit within the Christian community. It emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in relationships with fellow believers.
"...seeing that you have put off the old man...": The "old man" refers to the former self, the person you were before accepting Christ. This is the person dominated by sin, characterized by selfish desires, negative habits, and behaviors that are contrary to God's will. The phrase "put off" suggests a deliberate act of removing something, like taking off an old, dirty garment. This implies a decisive break with your past life.
"...with his doings...": This clarifies that it's not just the "old man" (the identity) that is discarded, but also the behaviors, actions, and practices associated with that old nature. These are the "doings" – the sinful habits, attitudes, and actions that characterized your life before Christ.
Therefore, the verse as a whole means:
Since you have made a conscious decision to turn away from your former sinful self (the "old man") and its associated behaviors, there is no longer any place for lying within the Christian community. Lying is a characteristic of the old, sinful nature, and it's inconsistent with the new life you have in Christ. Because you have committed to this new way of living, it should be evident in the honesty and integrity you demonstrate in your interactions with others.
In simpler terms:
Think of it like this: You've traded in your old, dirty clothes for a clean, new outfit. Lying is like a stain on that new outfit. It doesn't belong there, and it contradicts the new identity you've embraced. You are now a new person in Christ, and your actions, including your words, should reflect that new reality.
Colossians 3:9, "Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings," is a powerful statement about the transformation that should occur in the life of a Christian. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"Don’t lie to one another...": This is a direct command against deceit within the Christian community. It emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in relationships with fellow believers.
"...seeing that you have put off the old man...": The "old man" refers to the former self, the person you were before accepting Christ. This is the person dominated by sin, characterized by selfish desires, negative habits, and behaviors that are contrary to God's will. The phrase "put off" suggests a deliberate act of removing something, like taking off an old, dirty garment. This implies a decisive break with your past life.
"...with his doings...": This clarifies that it's not just the "old man" (the identity) that is discarded, but also the behaviors, actions, and practices associated with that old nature. These are the "doings" – the sinful habits, attitudes, and actions that characterized your life before Christ.
Therefore, the verse as a whole means:
Since you have made a conscious decision to turn away from your former sinful self (the "old man") and its associated behaviors, there is no longer any place for lying within the Christian community. Lying is a characteristic of the old, sinful nature, and it's inconsistent with the new life you have in Christ. Because you have committed to this new way of living, it should be evident in the honesty and integrity you demonstrate in your interactions with others.
In simpler terms:
Think of it like this: You've traded in your old, dirty clothes for a clean, new outfit. Lying is like a stain on that new outfit. It doesn't belong there, and it contradicts the new identity you've embraced. You are now a new person in Christ, and your actions, including your words, should reflect that new reality.
