What Does the Bible Say About Laziness?

Proverbs roasts the sluggard. But the Bible also commands rest. The issue is stewardship.

Where Did Humans Come From?

The Bible says humans came from dust + God's breath — a unique creation in God's image. Whether Adam was the first biological human or a representative figure is debated among faithful Christians.

What Does the Bible Say About Lying?

The Bible condemns lying consistently — but then praises Rahab for lying to protect spies. Honesty is the rule, but the edge cases are worth wrestling with.

What Does the Bible Say About Music?

Music appears in the Bible from Genesis (Jubal invents instruments) to Revelation (the whole creation sings). It's not decoration — it's how God's people have expressed faith, grief, joy, and hope for 3,000 years.

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Day 4 of 5

Dressed in Forgiveness

Back to plan

The Ultimate Glow Up Guide.

Q: What Does the Bible Say About Your Career?

The Bible has a lot to say about working with purpose and integrity.

Q: What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness?

The Bible commands radical forgiveness — but it also gives nuance. Forgiveness isn't pretending it didn't happen.

Q: What Does the Bible Say About Cheating?

The Bible treats all forms of cheating as violations of the same principle: dishonesty destroys trust, and God values integrity.

Q: What Does the Bible Say About Gratitude?

Biblical gratitude isn't naive optimism. Paul wrote about thankfulness from a jail cell. Give thanks IN all circumstances, not FOR all of them.

Q: What Is Colossians About?

Colossians at a glance — authorship, date, key themes, and why it's in the Bible.

Colossians 3 — Your old self is dead, so why are you still letting it pick your outfits?

5 min read

Key Takeaways

📢 Chapter 3 — The Ultimate Glow Up Guide ✨

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

Inside this Chapter

Work Anger Growth Identity Marriage Community Forgiveness Relationships

Questions about this Chapter

application

What Does the Bible Say About Your Career?

theology

What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness?

application

What Does the Bible Say About Cheating?

application

What Does the Bible Say About Gratitude?

application

What Does the Bible Say About Being a Good Husband?

history

What Is Colossians About?

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From the Spotlight

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Marriage Is Hard and Nobody Talks About It

1 Corinthians 13 describes love as patient, kind, not keeping score. Paul was describing a discipline, not a feeling.

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Reflect

If forgiveness is something you 'put on' daily, what relationship in your life needs you to get dressed tomorrow morning?

What's one practical step you could take this week to move toward someone you've been avoiding?

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 .

Eyes Up — Your Real Life Is Hidden in Christ 🔭

Identity

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 . You already rose with Him. Now live like it. The isn't about becoming someone new — it's about becoming who you already are. 💯

Delete the Old You 🗑️

Anger

Now 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 them, but because you can't put to what you won't name. And notice: it's two lists. The first is internal desires (lust, greed). The second is relational (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. 🕊️

Put On the New Drip 👑

Community Forgiveness Gratitude

After telling them what to take off, 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 — you have to actively become something beautiful. Compassion, kindness, — 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. ✨

Household Real Talk 🏠

Marriage

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 . The instruction to wives comes wrapped in "as is fitting in the Lord," meaning it's within the framework of a relationship where is the actual head. And the instruction to husbands? . 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: 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. 🫶

Work Like It's for the Lord 💼

Work Integrity People-Pleasing

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 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 . And God's payroll is eternal. 👑

Key Takeaways

📢 Chapter 3 — The Ultimate Glow Up Guide ✨

Inside this Chapter

Questions about this Chapter

What Does the Bible Say About Your Career?

What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness?

What Does the Bible Say About Cheating?

What Does the Bible Say About Gratitude?

What Does the Bible Say About Being a Good Husband?

What Is Colossians About?

From the Spotlight

Marriage Is Hard and Nobody Talks About It

My Notes

Eyes Up — Your Real Life Is Hidden in Christ 🔭

Delete the Old You 🗑️

Put On the New Drip 👑

Household Real Talk 🏠

Work Like It's for the Lord 💼