What has to be destroyed is not merely the obvious sins, but that whole inner attitude which is their source and which is only concerned with self – with what I want: and not with God and with what he wants.  In other words, what has to be destroyed is the whole monstrous growth; not merely the leaves which flourish above the surface, but also the hidden roots which go deep down and which provide the sustenance and maintain the life of the leaves.

St Paul’s Easter message to us is clear and unmistakeable: “...if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds 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” (NRSV, Colossians 3:1,2-3).

“Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life…and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (RSV, Ephesians 4:22,23).