We don't usually expect to hear spiritual wisdom coming from professional football coaches. George Stewart, special teams coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, may not have realized all he was saying in response to the firing of head coach Sam Wyche. "I guess it had to come to this," said Stewart, quoted in USA Today. "For anything to grow, something else has to die. I guess the departure of Sam will help the Bucs grow."

The principle is universal. For acres of corn or wheat to grow, trees and prairie grass had to die. For cities to grow, fields and farmlands had to give way to concrete and steel. For people to grow, animals and plants must give up life.

For believers in Christ to grow spiritually, the old habits and desires and ways of thinking have to die. As we "put to death . . . fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness" (Col. 3:5), we allow the Holy Spirit to create purity, holy desires, contentment, and Christlike virtues in our lives.

Is there room in our lives for the spiritual qualities of Christ to grow? What destructive attitudes and actions do we need to kill off with the help of the Spirit so that we can grow in Christ?  — David C. Egner