Ever get that admonishment from your mom at the grocery store or other shop? I got it quite regularly (and when I didn't listen I got to walk around with my hands on my head - prisoner style). But what was I to do? I had nothing else to occupy my attention, and the stuff on the racks looked so interesting. So I wanted to touch and my mom would tell me not to touch and scold or punish me when I did.
The funny thing is, I think sometimes that's how we try to handle sins in our lives. We know we're not supposed to do certain things and so we simply try with all our might not to do them. But ultimately we still do them just the same. And then we get frustrated, scold ourselves (or face consequences of some fashion), resolve to not touch anymore, and move forward in that effort/resolve. Sometimes we even "put our hands on our head," figuratively speaking, and try to impose additional rules beyond "do not touch" in order to get our touching problem under control. But even then it may work for a little while, but what happens when those additional rules fall away?
But what if there was another way to approach it? Looking at Paul addressing some of the same concerns with the church in Colossae I think gives us some insight into a better way of dealing with sin in our lives.
Paul is addressing issues where the church in Colossae is getting a little off track due to some less-than-godly influences that are teaching things contrary to the true gospel that they had received. One of the issues sounds familiar: "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations-'Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch' (referring to things that all perish as they are used)-according to human precepts and teachings?" (Col. 2:20-22). (Note: I italicize scripture to set it apart, not to add any sort of additional emphasis)
Paul continues and summarizes some of what we already said: "These have indeed the appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh" (Col. 2:23). And thus ends the chapter. But fortunately Paul doesn't leave them hanging with "What you've been doing may sound good but is never going to work for overcoming sin." Rather, at the beginning of chapter 3 Paul gives a different way of approaching the question of sin and then later gives the practical guidance on how that approach is actually implemented.
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:1-3).
Basically, Paul says "Don't listen to those that tell give you all sorts of rules to follow in order to beat sin. That won't work and it puts your focus on the wrong thing. If you are in Christ you should be focused on CHRIST!" Here he draws on the familiar comparison between the world and heaven, between earthly things and godly things, between the pulls of the flesh and the guidance of the Spirit, emphasizing that while we are in the world, we are not of the world and should approach things accordingly.
But the easy response is to say "That's all well and good, but I'm surrounded by all sorts of things that can be handled, tasted, or touched (and some of them seem appealing), and it's hard to keep my focus on 'the things that are above' (and what are those anyway?)." And once again, fortunately Paul doesn't stop at verse three. Verses 5-15 lay out two contrasting sets of actions - one of putting to death the things of this world (and what those things are) and putting on the things that are above (and what those things are) (Col. 3:5-15).
Immediately following that, in verse 16, Paul finally gives advice on how that all is practically implemented: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Col. 3:16). So essentially:
-Know the word of God. Don't just read it, let it "dwell in you richly." Internalize it, study it, seek to understand its precepts, guidance, and instruction, and call on the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher of the word. Knowing the Word and its testimony to the nature, character and glory of God and how it is manifested in the redeeming work of the gospel serves as pointer directing our focus back to the one who is worthy of our every thought.
-From there, be engaged in a community of other believers who are doing the same, and teach and encourage each other in the word, and seek to help each other in identifying sin that needs to be repented of (think James 5:15-16).
-If you look back in the Old Testament at the Psalms and other cases where the nation of Israel is singing, you see that much of the content of their songs is reminders of the faithfulness of God, his goodness, the consequences of sin, and the blessings of obedience. In much the same way, music, corporate worship through song, etc. can serve as a way of individually and collectively reminding ourselves of God's goodness and faithfulness and draw our hearts to him.
-Lastly, and this follows with the idea of singing songs, etc., remaining thankful for the blessings of God has the effect of directing our attentions and affections toward him.
Is this to say that there is no room for installing filtering software on your computer, cutting up your credit cards, or avoiding certain television programming, movies or music? Certainly not! But the establishment of boundaries should be as support and reinforcement for turning one's thoughts and affections toward God. And what you find is that the more you witness his goodness and glory, the more sin and "indulgences of the flesh" lose their luster anyway. Which sure beats putting your hands on your head, right?
