Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly

"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." ~ Colossians 3:16 ESV

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." Think about this phrase. What words and phrases stand out to you?

Word of Christ - the Gospel message, his teachings, and all of Scripture (the Bible). For me the word dwell is interesting.

Dwell - to make a home, take residence, live in, permeate

Richly - abundantly, deeply, overflowing

The word of Christ should not be something we turn to only in times of crisis, but something that shapes every moment, every decision, every conversation, and every part of our lives. Thus transforming our lives for the better, to become more like Christ.

Paul wrote these words to the Colossians, a young church in a culture filled with competing voices—false teachings and conflicting practices that would pull people away from Christ. Sound familiar? Today, we live in a world still flooded with distractions and false ideas including those on social media or voices telling us to define truth on our own terms. The word of Christ then is just as urgent now: we must be grounded in the truth, letting Jesus’ teachings and scripture shape us rather than the culture around us.

And this isn’t just a private thing where it’s just Jesus and me. Paul continues in the verse saying: "teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom." Christianity is not a solo journey. We need each other. We need to surround ourselves with people who will encourage us, teach us, challenge us, and, when needed, correct us in wisdom and love. But that wisdom must come from God’s Word, not just personal opinions or cultural trends. We are after all, a part of one larger body, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).

Then Paul continues with worship: "singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." Why is worship so important? Music has a profound and lasting way of reinforcing truth in our hearts with Biblically based lyrics. The songs we sing shape and cultivate what we believe. That’s why it matters what we fill our minds with—whether through music, media, or daily conversations. Are we feeding ourselves with truth or with noise?

And finally, Paul says: "with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Gratitude is a defining mark of a heart being transformed by Christ. It’s easy to complain, easy to focus on what’s missing, but Paul reminds us—worship, teaching, and even correction should all flow from a heart full of thanksgiving.

So how do we live this out today?

First, let’s make time for God’s Word—not just reading it but allowing it to shape our minds and hearts. We can pray God’s Word, sing God’s Word, memorize God’s Word, and share God’s Word with others.

Second, let’s invest in our local church community— get involved by joining a small group, serve in an area that you’re passionate about or where God has shown you a need that you can fill for a season. You are a part of the body of Christ and when you surround yourself with God’s people, you will continue growing in your faith.

Third, let’s be intentional with what we listen to and consume—letting worship, not the world, define our perspective.

And finally, let’s practice gratitude—choosing to focus on God’s goodness in every circumstance.

Reflective questions:

• Is the word of Christ dwelling in you, or just passing through?

• Are you surrounding yourself with voices that lead you closer to Christ?

• Is your worship more than just words—does it shape your faith?

• Does gratitude define your attitude, even in difficulty?

  
  

Heavenly Father, please fill us with your Holy Spirit to understand your word and let it dwell in us richly. Let us not settle for surface-level faith but let the word of Christ transform us in how we live daily. In Jesus' name. Amen.

If you would like to find a church near you, visit: https://www.colossians316.org/find-a-church

If you would like to explore who Jesus is, visit: https://www.colossians316.org/explore-faith