The Past Two Weeks::
- Identity and Purpose Ephesians 2:10 ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ‘
- Being a Living Sacrifice Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
How do we respond?
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
The “Therefore” in Ephesians 4:25:
Ephesians 4:2-3 NIV
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
The Message
Ephesians 4:25-32 NIV
Ephesians 4:25 “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Cross-references:
- Zechariah 8:16: “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;”
- Colossians 3:9: “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”
Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,”
Cross-references:
- Psalm 4:4: “Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.”
- James 1:19-20: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
Ephesians 4:27 “and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Note: The idea of a “foothold” implies that the devil seeks entry points into a person’s life through vulnerabilities or sins that may seem small or insignificant but can lead to greater spiritual harm. This concept is about recognizing and managing one’s spiritual state to prevent negative influences from gaining any ground.
Cross-references:
- James 4:7: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
- 1 Peter 5:8: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Ephesians 4:28 “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”
Cross-references:
- Acts 20:35: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Cross-references:
- Colossians 4:6: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
- Proverbs 15:4: “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Cross-references:
- Isaiah 63:10: “Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:22: “who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a deposit.”
Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Cross-references:
- Colossians 3:8: “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
- James 1:21: “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Cross-references:
- Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
These verses and their cross-references highlight principles essential for Christian community life, focusing on truth, temperance, productivity, and kindness as ways to live out one’s faith in daily
What not to do:
- Live like the Gentiles v 17
- Darkened Understanding v 18
- Harden Hearts v 18
- Loss of Sensitivity v 19
- Deceive Others v 25
- Don’t Live Angry v 26
- Don’t Steal v 28
- Don’t Trash Talk (Unwholesome Talk) v 29
- Don’t Grieve the Holy Spirit v 30
What To Do:
- Live a Life Worthy of the Calling v 1
- Be Humble v 2
- Bear With Each Other v 2
- Be The Peacemaker v 3
- Speak The Truth in Love v 15
- Put Off the Old Put on the New Self v 22 – 23
- The New Attitude of the Mind v 24
- Speak the Truth v 25
- Take Out the Trash v 31
- Be Kind v 32
- Be Compassionate v 32
- Forgive as you have been Forgiven in Christ v 32