Today I am bringing you a devotional I read the other day. I found it so encouraging, strengthening, and challenging that I thought I would interrupt my devotions from First Peter to share it with you. This piece was written by Sam Crabtree for his portion of a larger devotional book for men. The details are at the end. His thoughts this morning are taken from Colossians 3:1-17. Reading the Scripture first would be helpful.

Hearts of men! Attention! Here come your marching orders. This passage posts a substantial array of straightforward commands.

We are told to set our minds on the things that are above, and to seek them. We are encouraged to put to death what is earthly in us – sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, covetousness, idolatry. We must give no place to anger, wrath, malice, slander, or obscene talk. We must never lie to one another. Rather, we should put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience – bearing with one another and forgiving each other. We are to put on love and let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. Be thankful. Teach and admonish one another. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. Wives, submit to your husbands. Above all, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

Although this is a men’s devotional Bible, I left “wives, submit to your husbands” in the list, because believing men are part of the bride of Christ and are to submit to him. Submission can be difficult. These are hard things. These are impossible things apart from enabling grace.

One of the things on the above list is essential to all the others. Though easily overlooked, this is the key to seeking things that are above, setting your mind there, putting to death what is earthly in you, not lying, putting on compassion, forgiving, loving, letting the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, and being thankful. This is the absolutely crucial key for teaching and admonishing one another well. It’s the last item on the list: letting the word of Christ dwell in you richly. The word is the key. The Scriptures play a fundamentally important role in strengthening a man’s heart to not go off the rails. Without the word dwelling in a man, he will not sustain his pursuit of any of the other things listed. Wise men recognize this, and therefore permeate themselves with Scripture. (Taken from “Daily Strength – A Devotional for Men” published by Crossway, 2022, page 393)