Living as Children of Light (continued)
Practical examples of how Christians should relate to others.
Ephesians 4:25-32 NLT
Living as Children of Light (continued)
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Examine the scriptures:
Ephesians 4:25-32 NLT
Living as Children of Light (continued)
25 So stop telling lies.
Exaggerations, fabrications, cheating, making foolish promises, betraying a confidence, and making false excuses are all forms of lying.
- Don’t tell lies.
Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
Tell the truth.
Ephesians 4:15 NLT
15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love,
- Speak the truth in love.
Ephesians 4:3 NLT
3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
Psalm 133:1 NLT
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
Romans 12:5 NLT
5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
- Lying destroys unity in the body of Christ.
- Lying destroys our Christian testimony.
26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,
Psalm 4:4 NLT
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
Think about it overnight and remain silent.
This is not saying, “Don’t ever get angry.”
- Not all anger is sin.
Being angry with evil can be righteous anger which is not only permissible but commanded.
Proverbs 8:13 NLT
13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil.
Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
corruption and perverse speech.
Psalm 97:10 NLT
10 You who love the Lord, hate evil!
Romans 12:9 NLT
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.
- Jesus got angry.
Mark 3:5 NLT
5 He looked around at them (Pharisees) angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!
Matthew 21:12-13 NLT
12 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
- Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
Deal with anger before the sun goes down.
Anger must be resolved quickly.
“Keep short accounts.”
Don’t let anger control you.
27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Not all anger is sin. However, anger gives a foothold to the devil, giving him an opportunity to lead us into further sin. Anger begins to control us rather than us controlling our anger.
Satan can use anger to create division among Christians.
- Anger gives a foothold to the devil, giving him an opportunity to lead us into further sin.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing.
- Don’t steal.
Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.
- Work hard and then give generously to others in need.
Hard work provides for a person’s material needs.
Hard work gives us something useful to do.
Hard work enables us to help others materially.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 NLT
11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language.
- Don’t use foul or abusive language.
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
- Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Good words benefit the hearer.
Be an encouragement to others.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live.
- Foul or abusive language is totally out of character for someone professing to be a Christian.
We grieve the Holy Spirit when we use foul or abusive language (when we sin).
Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Why would we knowingly bring sorrow to someone who has done so much for us?
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
- Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
- Be Kind. Be tenderhearted (compassionate). Be forgiving.
Colossians 3:12-13 NLT
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
1 John 4:19 NLT
19 We love each other because he loved us first.
