Renewing the Mind: Setting Hearts on Things Above
People should strive to suppress their desires and cultivate positive behavior patterns to avoid sin. Colossians 3:1-17 states, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” (New International Version Bible, 2011, Colossians 3:1-17).
A person seeking righteousness must reject unpleasant emotions and unethical behavior. Only in this way can there be a renewal of a person who wants to follow the Christian doctrine. The process of abandoning sinful behavior leads to tension and the development of guilt due to the unattainability of the righteous ideal. However, the Christian must continue struggling with negative behavior and emotions to move closer to the divine.
Exegetical Insight from Colossians 3:1–17: A Commentary Perspective
However, rejecting negative behavior patterns in favor of positive ones is fraught with tension, which may seem paradoxical. The most comprehensive commentary on Colossians 3:1-17 was created by Moule (1973). In this work, the author underlines that achieving ethical Christianity can be accompanied by guilt due to a superior experience that the believer and the prayer do not always represent.
Thus, a paradox arises: a Christian strives to manifest righteous behavior, but his feelings and emotions are not strong enough for this. In this situation, the worshiper feels guilty that he did not sufficiently reject the negative aspects of his behavior to achieve the divine. In the end, the feeling of guilt grows and becomes the main negative feeling, which, on the contrary, alienates the Christian from righteousness.
Application to Practice: Guiding Clients Toward Godly Emotional Change
However, the author also points out that tension and paradox are the foundations of Christian doctrine. Moule (1973) notes that “it is a creative tension, and, in its most characteristic forms, a peaceful tension, as all who know it will bear witness” (p. 481-482). Christians should not regard this paradox as a sign of sinfulness.
On the contrary, the development of righteousness is associated with the struggle with negative emotions, including guilt. Under such stress, the Christian must understand that a process of reshaping is taking place that leads to the avoidance of sin and the development of patterns of more ethical behavior. The fight against guilt is part of this journey, leading the Christian to a righteous life.
References
New International Version Bible. (2011). Bible Gateway. Web.
Moule, C. F. D. (1973). “The new life” in Colossians 3:1-17. Review & Expositor, 70(4), 481-493. Web.