Colossians 3:5-11

v5-6: Sin stops us from seeking the things that are above, so we need to put to death "the corrupt habits of your hearts and minds" as you would do "with weeds or vermin that spread and destroy everything around them."  Kill the sinful desires of the flesh and the love of the world because if we do not kill them, they will kill our faith in and faithfulness to Christ.

v7: "It is hard to live among those who do the works of darkness and not have fellowship with them, just as it is to walk in the mud and not get dirty."  Pray that we will not be corrupted by the ways of the world.

v8: There are specific sins of the tongue that must be cut out of our lives.  It matters a lot how we speak to and about other people.  We are not to speak to them "abusively," and we are not to speak ill of them to others and "destroy their good name."  These sins flow out of hearts, which is why we need to put away anger, wrath, and malice.  "Anger and wrath are bad, but malice is even worse, because it is more deep rooted and deliberate; it is anger settled and heightened."

v9-10: Why must we not lie to one another?  Because "by our profession of faith" we have "put off the old self... with its actions," renouncing all sin, and have "put on the new self" and embraced "the cause and interests of Christ" which changes the way we live.

v11: Because "Christ came to take down all walls of hostility," in Him "there is now no difference arising from our country, condition, or circumstance." Before God we share the same duties and privileges.