Ephesians 4:25-32

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage Read the Passage at least twice Who is in the passage? What action verbs do you see? What other words stick out in your mind

Paul now gets specific about what to put on and put off. All has to do with how you treat others, especially believers. If we are to live in the unity that Paul has talked about throughout Ephesians then these steps are critical. Note: you cannot just put off something. That still leaves a void that can later be filled with more evil. (see Luke 11:26) Rather we are called to put off one thing and put a positive in its place. We are a new creation , the old has gone the new has come.

Put off - Put on

vs 25 falsehood, lying -      Truth

vs 26 anger with sin -  Anger that is dealt with

vs 28 stealing -  Doing something to help others

vs 29 unwholesome talk  - Helpful encouragement

vs 30 Grieve Holy Spirit -    Remember your seal of redemption (1:14)

vs 31 Bitterness, rage, anger -  Kind, Compassion, forgiving

Brawling, slander, malice

Paul is talking about how we interact with believers ( this doesn't mean we do not do the same with non-believers) so as to show the world that the church is different because of what Christ has done and the Holy Spirit living in us.

In dealing with anger Paul's states that it must not lead to sin (see vs 31) that it must be dealt with quickly (don't let it fester), and it should not allow Satan a place of control in your life. You can be angry but not sin (see 1 Cor 13:5) It is important that the anger does not bring about an attack but allows issues to be settled. Again Paul is speaking to how we relate to one another as a body of believers.

vs 25- the falsehood is not just lying it is living a lie. In other words still believing in false gods or saying adultery is ok etc..

vs 27 - devil a foothold. Once Satan enters he takes full advantage (see John 10:10)

vs 30 To grieve the Holy Spirit is to Choose to do wrong, to ignore God, to not build up the body of Christ (see 1 Cor 6:19, 2 Cor 7:1 )

vs 31-32 Malice covers the full range of seeking to hurt someone. living seeking revenge is not allowed. Forgiveness is the key. (Luke 11:4)

Do I live to build the body up or tear it down?