The Ultimate Glow Up Guide

Paul has been building up to this. In the first two chapters, he laid out who Jesus is — the image of the invisible God, the creator of everything, the head of the church, the one who reconciled all things through the cross. He dismantled the false teaching floating around Colossae — all the "you need Jesus PLUS this extra spiritual secret" nonsense. Now he pivots to the practical: if all that is true about Christ, then here's how you actually live.

This chapter is the lifestyle reset. Paul is about to walk them through what to delete from their lives, what to install in its place, and how to handle every relationship — from marriage to parenting to the workplace — when your whole identity is wrapped up in Christ.

Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV) Paul starts with the foundation. Before he tells them what to do, he reminds them who they are:

"If you've been raised with Christ — and you have — then seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Because here's the reality: you died. Your old life? Gone. Your real life is now hidden with Christ in God."

"And when Christ — who literally IS your life — appears, then you'll appear with Him in glory too."

This is the thesis statement for everything that follows. Paul isn't saying "try harder to be good." He's saying your identity has already shifted. You already died with Christ. You already rose with Him. Now live like it. The glow up isn't about becoming someone new — it's about becoming who you already are. 💯

Colossians 3:5-11 (ESV) Now Paul gets specific. If your old self is dead, stop letting it run things:

"So put to death whatever belongs to that old earthly life: sexual immorality, impurity, uncontrolled passion, evil desires, and greed — which is literally idolatry. God's wrath is coming because of these things. You used to live that way. That was your whole vibe. But not anymore."

"Now you need to yeet ALL of it: anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language. Don't lie to each other. You've taken off the old self and its habits like worn-out clothes, and you've put on the new self — the one that's being renewed in knowledge, shaped to look like the God who created you."

"And in this new identity? There's no Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free. Christ is all, and is in all."

Paul doesn't sugarcoat the list. He names specific things — not to shame them, but because you can't put to death what you won't name. And notice: it's two lists. The first is internal desires (lust, greed). The second is relational sins (anger, slander, lying). Both have to go. The new self isn't just about cleaning up your private life — it transforms how you treat people too. And that last line? Every category humans use to divide themselves — ethnicity, culture, social status — gets leveled at the cross. No cap. 🕊️

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV) After telling them what to take off, Paul tells them what to put on. And it's elite:

"So as God's chosen people — holy and deeply loved — clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other. If someone wrongs you, forgive them. The Lord forgave you, so you forgive too."

"And above everything else, put on love. That's what holds it all together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of Christ be the referee in your hearts — that's what you were called to as one body. And be thankful."

"Let the word of Christ live in you richly. Teach each other. Encourage each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do — whether it's something you say or something you do — do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

This is the other side of the coin. It's not enough to just stop being toxic — you have to actively become something beautiful. Compassion, kindness, humility — these aren't personality traits you either have or don't. They're choices you put on every single day. And love is the piece that ties the whole fit together. Without love, everything else falls apart. ✨

Colossians 3:18-21 (ESV) Paul shifts to relationships inside the home. This section carries weight, so he keeps it direct:

"Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them."

"Children, obey your parents in everything, because this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they'll become discouraged."

This is a passage people misread in both directions. Paul isn't setting up a power trip — he's setting up mutual sacrifice. The instruction to wives comes wrapped in "as is fitting in the Lord," meaning it's within the framework of a Covenant relationship where Christ is the actual head. And the instruction to husbands? Love. Not control. Not harshness. Love. The word for "harsh" means bitter or resentful — Paul is saying don't let resentment poison the way you treat the person closest to you.

And for parents: obedience matters, but so does how you lead. If your parenting style crushes your kids' spirit, you're not doing it right. Authority without tenderness creates people who give up. 🫶

Colossians 3:22-25 (ESV) Paul closes the chapter with instructions about work. In the original context, he's addressing bondservants — people in forced labor. The principle applies wherever you find yourself under someone else's authority:

"Obey your earthly leaders in everything — not just when they're watching, not just to look good, but with genuine hearts, out of reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with everything you've got, as if you're working for the Lord and not for people."

"Because you know this: the Lord will reward you with the inheritance. You are serving the Lord Christ. And anyone who does wrong will be paid back for it — God doesn't play favorites."

This hits different when you realize Paul is telling people in the hardest possible work situations to reframe who their real boss is. It's not about the earthly authority deserving your best — it's about the fact that Christ sees every bit of effort you put in, even when nobody else does. Your work isn't just a grind. It's an act of worship. And God's payroll is eternal. 👑