After all that he had explained about God’s work in their lives, Paul wanted the Ephesian believers to stop acting like people who had not been changed by God.
Read Ephesians 4:29-32.
It was wonderful for the Ephesians to know that God had changed them from being in the dark spiritually. But now that they had put on the new self, how were they to act? Paul gave them several more examples. (4) Christians should speak words that help others. Disgusting words or curse words have no place in a Christian’s mouth. Instead, he should be speaking for the benefit of those around him. His words should minister grace or help others. (5) Christians should not grieve the Holy Spirit. If you grieve someone you are making him sad. Think of how your parents would feel if they overheard you speaking curse words with your friends. They would be very sad that you had made that choice. This is how the Holy Spirit feels when Christians choose to sin. (6) Christians should not be controlled by anger. When you allow anger to remain in your heart, it becomes bitterness. You begin thinking of how much you hate the other person. And then that turns into angry actions and speech. So, before your anger begins to control you, put it away from you and follow the next piece of advice. (7) Christians should be kind to one another. It may be hard for you to forgive someone who has hurt you. Maybe someone has made you angry or said something bad about you. But before you start getting angry with that person, think of all the times you have sinned against God. And remember that Jesus died on the cross so that you could be forgiven. Then with the help of God’s Holy Spirit, be like Jesus: kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving others.
- Christians should ___________________________________________________.
- Christians should ___________________________________________________.
- Christians should ___________________________________________________.
- Christians should ___________________________________________________.
- Which one of these is most difficult for you?
- Talk to the Lord today about these things and ask him for help to live that way.
