1But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. 2For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 3For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman. Then they will in no way escape. 4But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. 5You are all children of light and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness, 6so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. 8But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
12But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake.
Be at peace among yourselves. 14We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all. 15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all.
16Always rejoice. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. 19Don’t quench the Spirit. 20Don’t despise prophecies. 21Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil.
23May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.
25Brothers, pray for us.
26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
In Romans 8:13 and Colossians 3:5 the apostle Paul commands believers to “mortify” or “put to death the misdeeds of the flesh.” Used figuratively, “put to death” means to execute, to make die, to render extinct sinful desires and fleshly appetites. Mortification, which is different from the acknowledgement of sinful deeds (1 John 1:9) is necessary because it focuses on weakening, breaking, and eliminating sinful desires, actions, and habits. Romans 8:13 makes it clear that it is our responsibility to execute the misdeeds of the body. The verb “put to death” is present tense implying continuous action in moment-by-moment Christian living. Notwithstanding, we must be dependent upon the Holy Spirit, for self-discipline alone is insufficient. The Greek tense of the command in Colossians 3:5 “Put to death” entails decisive action.
Therefore, we must refuse to yield to a particular temptation, for every time we give ourselves to it, the stronger the sin will become as it takes hold of our lives. When faced with a particular temptation, consider the (1) dangerous consequences which may follow such as personal guilt, regret, ruined testimony, pain and harm in the lives of others, and grieving (Eph 4:30) and smothering the Holy Spirit’s ministry (1 Thess 5:19), (2) God’s goodness, (3) future judgment of eternal rewards (cf. 1 Cor 3:10-15; 2 Cor 5:9-10; 2 John 8), (4) the majestic beauty of God, (5) the wonder of Calvary, and (6) God’s potential chastisement. (7) Remember sin corrupts, distorts, and changes who we are; (8) Immediately flee from the temptation to sin; (9) Go to the source of the sin seriously probing why we are attracted to this particular sin; (10) think right thoughts; (11) diligently practice noble deeds; (12) prayer; (13) submit ourselves to transparent accountability (James 5:16); (14) Trust God.