05/27/2026
Day 3: Put Away the Sins of the Mouth
Read: Colossians 3:8–9, Ephesians 4:25–32, James 3:1–12, Proverbs 18:21, Matthew 12:33–37
After Paul tells us to put to death the sins of disordered desire, he turns to sins that often feel more ordinary: anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk, and lying. These are not lesser sins. They are the old life showing up in our relationships, homes, conversations, and churches.
Paul’s list moves from the heart to the mouth. Anger simmers. Wrath boils over. Malice wants to harm. Slander uses words to tear down another person’s name. Obscene talk corrupts what should be used for truth and blessing. Lying manipulates reality and breaks trust. The tongue may be small, but as James reminds us, it can set a forest on fire. Anyone who has lived in a family or served in a church knows that is not dramatic language. That is Tuesday.
We often excuse these sins because they feel respectable. Anger gets renamed “being honest.” Slander gets renamed “concern.” Gossip becomes “a prayer request.” Harshness becomes “telling it like it is.” Lying becomes “avoiding awkwardness.” It is amazing how often sin gets a church name tag.
But Paul says to put these things away. They do not fit the new self. They are old-life clothing, and Christians are not called to keep wearing what belongs to the grave.
This is especially important in the church. The body of Christ is meant to be a people of truth, love, confession, forgiveness, and grace. That cannot happen where anger rules, slander spreads, and lying protects image. A church can be deeply damaged by scandalous sin, but it can also be slowly poisoned by angry people with theological vocabulary.
Christ died for sins of the mouth too. He bore our lies, slander, bitterness, filthy speech, and cutting words. And by His Spirit, He teaches us to speak truth, confess sin, build up the body, and use words as instruments of grace.
Today, consider whether your words are helping others see Christ or simply helping your old self stay comfortable.
Reflection Questions
Which speech sin in Colossians 3:8–9 am I most tempted to excuse?
Are people safe with my words when they are not in the room?
Where do I need to confess sinful speech to someone I have wounded?
Practical Application
Before speaking about someone today, ask: “Is this true? Is it necessary? Is it loving? Would I say it this way if they were present?”
Prayer
God my Father, forgive me for the ways I have used my words to wound, hide, exaggerate, slander, or protect my own image. I confess that my mouth often reveals what is still sinful in my heart. Make me quick to repent and slow to speak in anger. Teach me to love truth because Christ is the truth. Use my words to build up, heal, confess, encourage, and bless. In Jesus’ name, Amen
