SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:17-32
OBSERVATIONS
1. (vv.17-19) Paul describes the life of sin as a state or condition of the heart and mind: futile thinking, darkened understanding, separated from God, ignorant and hardened hearts, loss of sensitivity, given over to sensuality, indulging every kind of impurity, continual lust for more.
APPLICATION: The bad things I do (sins) are the result of the condition of my heart (SIN). Where I give myself over to sensuality, when I indulge sinful passions, when I lust for more, I am feeding the ‘beast’ within, rather than giving myself over to Jesus as my new Master.
2. (vv.20-24) To defeat the beast within, I must daily “put off” the remains of that old master by “putting on” the ways of my new Master. The one that I ‘feed’ will be the one that grows.
APPLICATION: Every day I make choices that either feed the new life and starve the old, or feed the old life and starve the new. Every day I must determine to live according to the new self, to live like Jesus. Am I serious about this daily struggle? its not something that happenes apart from serious and sincere effort!
3. (vv.25-32) Paul gives specific examples: replace falsehood with truthful speaking, replace stealing with sharing, replace unwholesome talk with upbuilding words. Replace bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, malice with kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Failure to “put off” these sinful practices will grieve the Spirit of Christ within, and give the devil a foothold.
APPLICATION: Where specifically does the “old self” still show itself in me: pride, living for pleasure, impatience, love of things, lukewarm faith, indifference to the hurts of those around me? Does this explain why the “beast” remains so strong within me (more than a foothold), why I sense the Spirit’s grief within me?
PRAYER:
Lord, I confess that I have become careless in my new life, presuming upon our grace while continuing to give the devil a foothold. Help me Lord to renew my commitment to living like You, for You! Amen.
To be in Christ is a drastic change. Life without Christ is stone cold because the heart is hardened like that of pharoah. In Christ Jesus I am a new creation and live as a child of the Light that is within me. My attitude must be the same as that of Christ Jesus – to do good – to do WhatWouldJesusDo.
This selection also speaks of a key passage – doing something useful with his own hands that he may share. I work not just for myself, but I work to share with those around me. I work not just to gain possessions and toys, but I work to give away. That’s a tough lesson.
This selection also tells me to bite my tongue because I may only speak what is good about my neighbour. I must build up and not destroy the body of Christ. Just as stated in the Lord’s prayer, I must be forgiving just as the Lord has forgiven me.
Put on the garments of praise
For the spirit of heaviness
Let the oil of gladness flow
Down from Your throne
Put on the garments of praise
For the spirit of heaviness
Your joy is my strength alone
My strength alone.