Hearing someone preaching from Colossians 3:5-17 got me thinking.

I had been thinking earlier of the guy in a parrable Jesus told who accussed his boss of 'being a hard man'.
Is that your opinion of God?
Do some preachers convey that impression (or is that what you hear, not what they say)?

So, what would 'my' approach to this passage be?
Or am I missing something? cf Psalm 139:23-24

• v5 Put to death idolatry - manifestations of which include immorality, lust, greed, etc...
• v7 I am a new creation in Christ, I have a different nature (after metamorphosis the caterpillar is dead, the butterfly is alive)
  Maybe a bad illustration of 'Being Born Again' - in Christ the new has come, not been metamorphosised!
• v8,9 Put aside 'the tools' of the old
• v12 Put on your new clothes - display your royalty
• v13,14 Use the new tools of forgiveness and love
• v15 Let your life be centred on your Shepherd, Lord and King