Meditation

Hi there,

Believers are blessed with a new mind. In Christ, we think, desire, and act differently. The new life we’ve received gives our walk a new gait. We walk differently now. How we behave changed because of who we've become.

Paul now turns to the practical outworking of this new life. In verses 25–29, he shows what it looks like when the renewed mind governs the renewed heart. Each command pairs an old pattern of sin with its new, Spirit-led alternative:

A new rule to govern speech. You don’t have to say it, but if you say it, it must be true.

Emotional control. Anger exposes what is within us more than what is around us. It makes us vulnerable. A symptom of other negative beliefs and behaviors.

Labor is redeemed. To labor to give rather than get, is live-changing and life-giving.

The tongue is tamed. And the tongue, who can tame it!? God can if we yield the fruit of His Spirit. You were given the gift of grace in measure (7) and now minister it as one who is mature (13-16).

Today's verses are Ephesians 4:25-29 (and are marked in black. Previous and subsequent verses are shown in grey for context).

Instructions for Christian Living

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

²⁶ “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.

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.

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.

³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Encouragement

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:17-18

Steve Pawley

God's word in your hand

I've attached this explanation of Ephesians from The Bible Project to accompany this season's copy work.

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