Last time we talked about what it means to lay aside certain sinful activities and characteristics.

This came up because of the following passage from 1 Peter 2:

“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:1-3).

We reviewed several passages from Scripture that say the same thing about setting aside or putting off. At the conclusion of last week’s email, I mentioned that it is not only necessary to lay things aside, but also to put things on.

All of this is a very important topic for us guys because we often develop thought-patterns and habits that are not God-honoring, but rather, are sinful and/or harmful to our living as a disciple of Christ.

Today I would like us to focus on the phrase “laying aside.” Perhaps next week we can talk about the putting on.

In the winter, when you go to someone’s house, the host may take your coat and hat or may show you where to put them. You hang them up or lay them aside. It’s actually a pretty simple concept. But, if you are like me, it is not always an easy thing to do. So many sinful habits and practices get pretty entrenched and seem resistant to “laying aside,” and can cause us trouble for years.

Let me share a couple of key principles with you. There’s more that could be said, but I think these three concepts are the most important, at least for me.

1. For the person who has truly trusted Christ for salvation and committed his life as a follower of Jesus the Messiah, there is no condemnation! A complete and full pardon has been granted (Romans 8:1).

2. Even though we are forgiven and have become new creations in Christ, there is a sin principle at work in us that will not go away until we receive our glorified body (Read Romans 7:7-25. Note especially verses 18-25).

3. This third point is the key, especially related to this topic today. Romans 8:14 says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you.” The Bible teaches us that sin’s authority to reign in us has been taken away! This is not a command. It is a truth to be believed! Sin seems powerful, and it is, but it does not have the authority to bully you into submission. You are no longer its slave, even though it may feel like it at times. Read and meditate on Romans 6; … a lot!

There is much, much more that could be written on this subject, but this is not the venue for that.