Scripture:
Ephesians 4:25-32 ESV
[25] Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. [26] Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, [27] and give no opportunity to the devil. [28] Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. [29] Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. [32] Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Observation:
Ephesians is a great book that prepares its readers to live a life worthy of what GOD has called them for. It’s only about 6 chapters and can be read in a short amount of time. But if you take the time to study it, you might find a wealth of information that’s very useful. Not only preparing you for the battle that all believers face, but also things like what we see in the verses above. Paul was writing the church of emphasis. To let them know they already had all the tools they needed to live a godly life. Giving them instructions on what that looks like, his first little bit of advice to them was to reinforce that the flesh had to be put to death. It couldn’t be the one calling the shots and had to be pit away. The way they dealt with their neighbors had to be with honest integrity. He goes on to say it’s OK to have emotions. However, it’s not ok to allow them to control you. Because that’s one of the ways Satan gets his foot in the door and allows all his attacks to take place. After Paul made sure that the emotions were in their proper place, he moved on to what it looked like to live a life of repentance. Changing not only the way they did things but the way they spoke as well. Corrupt talk course joking and offensive language are all things that are dealt with in the bible and not something that should be overlooked. But Paul doesn’t just give them a list of what not to do… he also carefully instructs them on what to do as well. He doesn’t say don’t speak like that… he says this way is better as well. He has a wonderful way of explaining it to them, saying, “Use your words to build people up that it may give grace to those who hear.” I believe verse 30 puts the ball in our court. Not grieving the Holy Spirit has to do with how we go about receiving the grace GOD has given us. What I believe that Paul is saying is don’t use the grace of GOD as a license to live in sin. His instructions to the Ephesians allowed them to see that the Holy Spirit would convict them, and it was their responsibility to respond to that conviction and change the thing they were being convicted for. When they just continued down the same path, ignoring what the Holy Spirit was telling them, the Holy Spirit was grieved. The seal of their redemption was saddened by their decision not to modify the behavior. The next 2 verses deal with living a grace filled life. Letting go of their right to be bitter or offended by others hateful or malicious…living a life of love knowing that it’s by the grace that they were shown they were brought to salvation. Paul was informing them that showing the same grace was the only way to bring others into the kingdom.
Application:
I love the bible. In fact, I have only read 5 or 6 books in my entire life, and the bible is one of them. Once I found it, I had no use for any other book. I love it so much. I have read it from cover to cover 9 or 10 times and honestly see no reason for any other book in my life. Now, here are some of the reasons I love the bible. GOD’S word helped me understand my need for HIM. It showed me how to obtain a relationship with HIM and gave me an idea of how to live for HIM. There is never a time when any of us will fully understand GOD’S word. So it’s inexhaustible. Having read it as many times as I have…it always brings me to a new level of life to reach for. Showing me what it looks like to have a desire to bring GOD glory through the way that I live. So here is the key for me. When I say that I follow Jesus Christ, does it show in the way I walk. Am I treating others with grace and mercy. Have I stopped doing the things that separate me from the father. Does my life show repentance… or does anyone even see a difference. If I am truly transformed by GOD’S living word, others will see that transformation. It will show in the way I treat them. The way I live matters the way I speak is important and says something about me. How I deal with my emotions whether I give my anger full vent or allow the Holy Spirit to speak instead is a key to where my walk with christ is. Your relationship with Jesus Christ will be evident in the way you conduct yourself. Here are some questions you may ask to see where you are… do I respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit? Should I say that if Jesus was standing right next to me? Is that mine, or does it belong to someone else? Why am I so upset? Can I wait and not react? Is that the same grace I have received? Do I still get angry when certain things are talked about that hurt me? Have I been malicious in my conduct? We all have areas that we could improve in, I’m sure I know I do just typing out these questions brought some things to mind I need to deal with. My pont to all this is… we have to be moving forward in our relationship with Jesus. Reading HIS living word and allowing it to shape out lives. We never arrive… we never get to a place where we have it all figured out. Remaining teachable is the key to a successful life with Christ. Allowing GOD’S word to speak directly into your Spirit and shape the way you live, speak, and breathe. How we conduct ourselves matters. I may be the only bible someone reads. So the question comes down to what does my life speak about GOD’S word
Prayer:
Father, we just want to thank you. You not only draw us to you but you have given us instructions on how to live for you. Please help us to rightly divide your word. So that our lives will have the evidence of your presence. We do not want to take your name in vain. Saying we love you yet not changing our lives to reflect that love. We do not want to remain the same. Change us, shape us, and mold us into the image of your beloved son. Convict us and help us respond to that conviction. The last thing we want to do is choose to live for our flesh. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Let the way we live be a Testament to how you have taken over our lives. Help us to be sensitive to you, and what you are saying needs to change in us. The world is watching how we live and the things we react to. Let our actions scream that Jesus is my LORD and SAVIOR. It’s in HIS mighty name. I pray amen.