LAURA J. DAVIS
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Digging Deeper

How to Have Peace At Home and at Work

1/30/2017

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Read Ephesians 6:1-9

And now we come to the last chapter of Ephesians. After instilling in the Ephesians the importance of submission and what that looks like for married couples, Paul then continues to instruct these new Christians on how they should treat their children and their servants, and how children and servants should respond to those in authority over them.

Interesting to note is that Paul's underlying theme of submission can still be seen in his instructions by three little words, "in the Lord." For it is in the Lord we abide and it is through our reverence for Him that we submit to one another and learn to live in peace with each other.

For children, this meant obeying their parents and it came with a promise from God,
"that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." Their act of submission in the Lord, was by obeying their parents. But there was an added warning from Paul when dealing with children. It is specifically addressed to the fathers, "Do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."  In the pagan world of Paul's day most men ruled their families with rigid and domineering authority. The feelings of wives and children were seldom considered. But Paul is showing them a new way to raise children. The word "admonition" is nouthesia and means "the training by word," whether of encouragement, or, if necessary, by reproof, so Paul is showing the fathers the importance once again of being the spiritual head of the home. For it is through the Word of God that we find our peace. This act of putting God first above all in the home had a "trickle down" affect. Women would submit to their husbands, out of reverence for God and children would obey their parents out of reverence for God. 

The same principle was put into practice for those with servants. Servants were to serve their masters as they would serve Christ and masters were to do the same thing. 
The only exception being in regard to a command that involves clear disobedience of God’s Word as illustrated in Acts 4:19, 20.

In today's world we are to serve our bosses (however disagreeable they may be) as we would serve Christ and vice-versa. Submission to each other "in the fear of the Lord" (reverence for God) is how peace within the body of Christ is established and the only way the church will survive in this turbulent world.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.  - Colossians 3:15
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How Submission Really Works

1/23/2017

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Read Ephesians 5:22-33

This is going to be a long post but stick with me because in the end you will never have a problem with the word "submission" again.

​Today we will carefully examine a section of Scripture that most women have struggled with for centuries. The modern woman of today finds it extremely offensive and some Christian men who have misinterpreted it, use it as an abusive form of control over their wives. It all stems from this one verse: "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord."  Let's look into the Word of God and find out exactly what it means to submit to our husbands. 

Before we begin, please grab a coloured pencil or highlighter and open your Bibles to Ephesians 5:22-33. Every time you see the word "own" colour it in, or underline it. Do something to make it stand out. You will see why in a minute. Don't have your Bible handy? Visit Biblegateway.com and highlight the word "own" there. It is an excellent site for Bible study as they not only allow you to highlight, but you can take notes that are saved for you as well. So, go highlight the word "own" and then come back here. I'll wait...I'm not going anywhere.

Now, that you have done that, let's look at these verses in context. At the beginning of Ephesians chapter five, Paul encourages the Ephesian converts to be "imitators of God" and so he lays out several keys and examples on how a Christian should live and what is expected of them. Last week, we looked at the Eight Keys to Godly Living and one of the last keys precedes the verses for today. But before we look at that, let's look at the entire section which says:
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:17-21, NKJV).
As you can see, Paul is setting the context on how we should live for the Lord, and what that should look like in how we relate to each other as members of Christ's body. Last week I shared the meaning on what it meant to submit to one another "in the fear of God".  Here it is again: "The word fear in Hebrew is yirah and means "awe or reverence". The "fear of the Lord" means to have an overwhelming sense of His glory or worth. Submitting to one another in the "fear of God" therefore, means we submit out of reverence for God and His holiness. This kind of submission means we do not try to use our wealth, gender or position to "bulldoze" someone into doing what we want. Instead, this kind of submission is done with respect and love for each other and our unity in Christ, out of reverence for God." 

​Now, with that in mind, let's look at the first few verses and the word "own" that I had you highlight. 

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything (Ephesians 5:22-24).


Ever wonder why that word "own" is there? Or why Paul had to make such a big deal about wives submitting to their own husbands? The Ephesian converts were a particular concern for the Apostle Paul because Ephesus was the capital of idol worship in the Roman world. It is here where most idols were made and sold. And it is here where the acts of idol worship involved prostitution, orgies, and other sexually immoral acts. This is the culture the Ephesian converts came out of, but it still went on around them every day. These immoral acts did not stop because some became Christians. Every day they struggled with reverting back to their old ways. But, the early believers were torn because of two false doctrines that were sweeping through the church.

The first false doctrine spread was antinomianism. Antinomianism is the belief that you could sin all you want and still be saved because of grace This doctrine, is something that is still promoted today in churches, through leaders like Joseph Prince. The other false doctrine being spread was by the Nicolaitans. They put themselves forward as believers in Jesus Christ and, at the same time, practiced black magic, offered sacrifices to numerous idols and were sexually immoral, all while teaching new believers that all these things were okay with God. In Revelation 2:6 Jesus commended the Ephesians for hating the practices of the Nicolaitans.

Despite that, these false doctrines were spreading throughout the early church because of the practice of idol worship. This is why Paul stressed in Ephesians 5:11, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." He was earnestly trying to help the Ephesians understand what life in Christ was supposed to look like - and it didn't involve the occult and sexually immoral practices of idol worship. Keep this bit of history in mind as you read this section of Ephesians.

Getting back to the word "own" - because of the sexual immorality involved in idol worship, Ephesian wives (and their husbands) thought nothing about sleeping with other people, hence the reason why Paul needed to stress the importance of wives submitting to their own husbands, as to the Lord. 

Now, did you notice that last part - as to the Lord? It goes back to submitting to one another (Eph. 5:21) in the fear of God. So we submit to our husbands because we have reverence (fear - yirah) for God. Why? Because the husband is the head, as Christ is the head of the church and Jesus is the Saviour of that church. So the church as a whole is subject to Christ. We are under his authority. Not in a dogmatic "you do what I say" way, but because His ways (His authority) are for our benefit, that we might become like Him, sanctified, ready to serve Him not only in this world but in the one to come.

Now here is the kicker - we submit to our husbands not because they are superior in any way, but because God has placed upon them a huge responsibility for our spiritual welfare.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. (Ephesians 5:25-27, NKJV).
Again, keep the history of Ephesus in mind. As wives are to be subject to their own husbands (no longer submitting to other men), husbands were to love their own wives. How? As Christ loved the church. And how did Jesus love the church? He gave Himself up for her! And this is what husbands must do for their wives. Why? For one purpose - to sanctify and cleanse them. Jesus is counting on husbands to see that their wives are properly loved and washed (the Greek word is "loutron" and means bathed) in the Word, so that when Jesus comes again, both husband and wife will stand before Him holy and without blemish.

Submission therefore, has nothing to do with women meekly doing whatever they are told, or being subject to the whims of other men. Submission is solely in relation to the husband and wife partnership that is entered upon marriage. Women submit to their husbands out of reverence for God, with the knowledge that the husband is responsible to do everything in his power (give himself up for her) to ensure she will be loved and washed (or bathed) in the Word of God. 

Ultimately, we are each responsible for our relationship with the Lord. Single women answer to Jesus alone. He is their head. But those who are married enter into a unique covenant with God. The two become one (Ephesians 5:31) just as Christ and the church are one. And their relationship as Christians is made stronger because of this.

I want to make one thing very clear before I finish. This doesn't always mean the man is right in every circumstance. It also doesn't mean the woman is always right. God's Holy Spirit resides in each of us and He leads and guides each of us equally. So a husband and wife who read the Bible together and pray together will be so much stronger in the Lord and in hearing His voice, then they would be if they ignored this aspect of their marriage. Therefore, if you keep Christ as your head in your marriage submission will come easily.


“The woman was made out of Adam’s side. She was not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved.” - Matthew Henry
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Eight Keys to Godly Living

1/16/2017

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Read Ephesians 5:8-21

Paul has been laying out the basics for the converted Ephesians on how a Christian should live and behave. Today he instills in them again who they are now in Christ. He seems to be really trying to get this concept of who they are now across  to them. It must have been very hard for the Ephesians converts because their former lifestyles were so completely and utterly dark. Yet, Paul assures them again and again, that's not who they are now.

Sometimes I think we all need to be reminded that what we were is not who we are now. Some new Christians are so hard on themselves that they find forgiveness for their former lifestyle a hard thing to accept. They have a hard time forgiving themselves, so they reason Jesus must have a hard time doing it as well. We come out of the darkness, yet it somehow still clings to us in the form of regrets. Paul's words in today's verses remind us and encourage us to not only walk in the light of Christ, but to walk in reverence of Him.
Paul begins by reminding us that we "were once darkness". Notice that he doesn't say "we once walked in darkness", he says we were darkness. ​Think about that for a minute. We didn't walk or live in darkness - we were darkness. This is why it is so easy for Christians to fall into sin. Our sin nature (that darkness) will never leave us. Yes, we've been forgiven of our sins because of Jesus, but the ability to sin, the desire to sin will always be there. This is why it is so important for Christians to be in the Word daily. When we abide in the Word, Jesus abides in us, because He is the Word! 

But notice what Paul says now of those who have Jesus - "You are light in the Lord." He doesn't say "you are light" for that would be impossible in and of ourselves. No. He says, "You are light in the Lord." We are cleansed, forgiven, and we have been filled with God's Shekinah glory - His Holy Spirit. We are light only because of Jesus. Our bodies house His Holy Spirit, therefore we must do everything in our power to walk and live for His glory.

So how do we do that? How do we walk in the light? What are the eight keys to Godly living? Paul tells us:


  • Find out what is acceptable to the Lord (Ephesians 5:10). You will know immediately when you have done something wrong or are entertaining the idea of doing something that goes against God's Word, for the Holy Spirit that lives within you will convict you of your sin. When we listen to the Holy Spirit and stay true to the Word of God, our walk with the Lord will be strong and steady. For the fruit of the Spirit is found in goodness, righteousness and truth. When we keep those three attributes central in our lives, we will know what is acceptable to God.
  • Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). When I was a teenager I joined a church after accepting Jesus as my Saviour. It was my hope that the youth group I was involved in would teach me how to live as a Christian. I did not grow up in a Christian home so I had no idea how to live as one. Unfortunately, I saw no difference in the lifestyles and choices of these "Christian" kids than my unsaved friends. These Christians (and their youth leaders) continued to drink until they were drunk, they had premarital sex (one even got pregnant), they took drugs, smoked, swore like sailors and basically acted no different then my unsaved friends. So because the youth leaders at that church encouraged this type of behaviour, with the line "everything is acceptable in Christ" it would be many, many years before I would be mature enough in my faith to realize they were not honouring God at all and that most of them never knew God in the first place. They were still living in darkness. Jesus was not abiding in them (or me) because He was not Lord of our lives. When we have fellowship with "the unfruitful works of darkness" there is no light in our lives at all. We have effectively doused the flame of the Holy Spirit. Paul warned the Ephesians (and us) not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). There has to come a time when we make a choice to continue to live in darkness or to live in the light of the Lord. It is one thing to reach out to those still trapped in darkness to bring them to Jesus. It is another thing entirely to join them in the darkness to try to reach them. Trust me. As someone who lived it, It doesn't work. 
  • Expose the darkness. If someone had simply said to me as a young teenage Christian, "You should not be swearing or drinking now that you are a Christian and here is why..." I might have learned to walk in the light a lot sooner. But no one pointed out my sins to me, except one man, who cringed everytime I took God's name in vain. He called me out on it and explained very clearly why it was wrong and I had a lightbulb moment from that day forward. It kept me from using God's name inappropriately, or as a swear word ever again. He exposed the darkness in me and guided me toward the light of Christ and how to abide in Jesus. Something no other church leader or Christian had ever done for me. To this day I am so incredibly thankful God cared enough about me to bring someone into my life, who honestly and lovingly showed me how I was sinning and why. So if you see a fellow Christian walking in darkness, don't be afraid to say something to them. You may be bringing them to the light of the Lord for the very first time.
  • Redeem your time. The NKJV says to walk "circumspectly". The word in Greek is akribōs and means to walk "exactly, accurately, or diligently." In other words, mind how you live, not as a fool, but with wisdom, because the days are evil. Examine your life - how are you spending your days?
  • Understand the Lord's will. The best way to understand God's will is by reading His Word. It is our handbook for life. Use it.
  • Be filled with the Spirit. How? Paul tells us: by, "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19-21). Does this mean we are to go around quoting Scripture at each other and singing all the time? Of course not! Remember who Paul is talking to - former idol worshippers, whose deeds were very dark indeed. He is contrasting their former lifestyle to their new one. And the same applies to us. When we lift each other up we are edifying the entire church. Come out of the darkness and rejoice in the light of Jesus!
  • Give thanks for all things. Ephesians 5:20 reminds us to be thankful for all things to God the Father in the name of Jesus. The Greek word used for "all things" is pas and it actually means "every" so we are to be thankful for everything that comes our way. Yep, even the bad stuff. Why? Because none of it gets past God. And while we may think what's happening to us is the worst possible thing that could ever happen to us, we must trust that God has a plan. I've had skin cancer, a 22-pound tumour in my stomach, an emergency surgery that resulted in the permanent loss of my singing voice (aka my career); a fall down a flight of stairs that left me partially disabled, and to top it all off I was diagnosed with an incurable disease that will one day kill me. Did God know all this was going to happen to me? Yes. Should I be thankful? Yes! Why? Because He is working all these things into my life for my good. For example, I would never have taken up writing as a career choice or even as a ministry if I was still singing. But being forced to sit all day because I can't get up and move like I used to keeps me in my Bible, studying it and sharing what I learn with you. And so I am very thankful to be able to have the time to do that.
  • Submit to one another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:21), What does that mean? Does it mean we submit to each other because we're afraid of what God will do if we don't? Not at all! In fact, the word fear in Hebrew is yirah and means "awe or reverence". The "fear of the Lord" means to have an overwhelming sense of His glory or worth. Much like you would experience if you were seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time. That "wow" feeling. Submitting to one another in the "fear of God" therefore, means we submit out of reverence for God and His holiness. This kind of submission means we do not try to use our wealth, gender or position to "bulldoze" someone into doing what we want. Instead, this kind of submission is done with respect and love for each other and our unity in Christ out of reverence for God.

We all were once darkness, but now we are light in Jesus Christ. Meditate on that and rejoice, for you are part of the body of Christ.
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Six Behaviours Christians Should Avoid

1/9/2017

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Read Ephesians 5:1-7

Last week we talked about how Christians should live in light of their faith in Christ. In today's reading, Paul continues to instill in the Ephesian Gentiles the importance of how they behaved in regards to their new found faith.

Again, the Ephesian believers Paul was talking to were coming out of idol worship and paganism that employed some of the most lewd and detestable acts you could ever imagine. It was, therefore, imperative that Paul drove home the fact that their previous behaviour of "devotion" (lewd acts, drinking blood, debauchery, orgies, etc.) towards their former gods, was not acceptable to the one true God. He continues on from Ephesians chapter four with more advice for them on how they were to behave and begins with an appropriate admonishment - Be imitators of God, as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

The significance of this verse was not lost on the Ephesians. They knew what Paul was referring to, for they often burned incense and gave offerings to their former gods that were sweet-smelling. Paul is impressing upon them this one true fact - Christ was now the sacrifice and final offering. A truly sweet-smelling aroma before the one true God. Jesus' gift of his life to save them from their sinful lifestyles was not lost on the Ephesians. Let it never be lost to us!

While the examples Paul sets forth in Ephesians 5 are geared toward the pagan attitudes and beliefs of the new converts, it is clear they are excellent examples for this generation as well. To the young person reading this, pay attention to how you behave with your friends. Remember, you are emulating Christ to them. As Paul says, we are to "imitate" God (Jesus). So pay attention to this list of behaviours you must put aside as you grow in the Lord.

Six Behaviours to Do Away With
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  1. Fornication - ​The Greek word used for sexual immorality in the original text is porneia. It is translated in some Bibles as fornication. It means illicit sexual intercourse. Now fornication in modern terms has been watered down to simply mean sex before marriage. But Paul is talking about all forms of fornication (sexual immorality), because the Ephesians were heavily involved in it because of how they worshipped their idols. This included: adultery, sex before marriage, homosexuality, lesbianism, sex with animals, incest, prostitution and orgies, etc. 
  2. Uncleanness - The word used in the Greek is akatharsia and is a general term for physical uncleanness, but also it is used when referring to impure motives as well as the impurity of lustful, debased living.
  3. Greed - The NKJV uses the word "covetousness" and it fits in line with the Ephesian's lifestyle. They had insatiable appetites for more and their greediness often lead them to steal, to extort money, to use sex for gain, whatever they had to do to get what they wanted, was okay with them, as long as the end result was that their desires were fulfilled. In today's society covetous living is the norm, with people always wanting more and the best. We only have to look at Black Friday sales to see how how destructive greed can be. Paul is telling the Ephesians to put away this horrible aspect of their former lifestyle. Advice that is still relevant today.
  4. Filthiness - This is different than uncleanness. The word in Greek is aischrotēs and means obscenity, shame, or disgrace. Anything that is contrary to purity.
  5. Foolish Talking - The Greek word used is mōrologia and comes from the word mōros, and legō meaning "to say". Generally speaking "foolish talking" is idle chatter.
  6. Coarse Jesting - This is exactly how it sounds - dirty jokes, sarcasm, ribald remarks do not emulate the heart of Christ.

The beginning of Ephesians 5 is clearly geared to the licentious behaviours the Ephesian converts formerly indulged in. As Paul says, "no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God" (Ephesians 5:5). He made it very clear, these behaviours would not be tolerated. He finished by reminding them not to be swayed by "empty words". In other words, he was warning them not to listen to those in Ephesus who would make them believe that they could still worship their idols and God at the same time. Remember, Ephesus was the major idol capital of the ancient world. In fact, at one point, those merchants who profited off the sale of idols were enraged at Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s travelling companions from Macedonia. A mob formed and dragged them into the theatre to exact vengeance because too many people were believing in Jesus and their businesses were suffering because of it (Acts 19:23-41). Paul therefore, urged the Ephesians not to be swayed by their "empty" words.

This is, of course, something today's Christian must also take to heart. We often hear of well-known Christians who are putting aside scripture and listening to the voices of the world instead. Particularly in regards to homosexuality and same-sex marriage. The Bible is clear where God stands on these issues, but some Christians are being swayed by "empty words" and turning from God's ways to the world's ways. But it isn't just in regards to homosexuality and same-sex marriage, it is sexual immorality in general. 


According to Focus on the Family, an estimated one-third of men and one-quarter of women have admitted to engaging in an extramarital affair (adultery). And according to the "2014 State of Dating in America" report published by Christian Mingle and JDate (dating websites for Christians and Jews), 61 percent of Christians said they would have sex before marriage. Even homosexuality is a problem in the church today, for there are  gays who call themselves Christians and believe wholeheartedly that homosexuality is not a sin and they promote that message as much as possible. 

Sadly, parts of the church today are behaving as the pagan believers in Ephesus. Their commitment to God is superficial at best. They are unrepentant sinners swayed by "empty words". 


Some of my post today came from a previous post on living a sanctified life. It seems appropriate to finish with it today: 

"1 Thessalonians 4:8 makes it very clear: 'Anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.'  In other words, if you are not willing to say no to sexual immorality or "deeds done in the flesh" you are ultimately rejecting God. This is a very sobering thought and one our young people (and maybe some in the older generation as well), need to take to heart. If you are going to live for Jesus, then live the sanctified life He called you to.


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How A Christian Should Live

1/2/2017

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Read Ephesians 4:17-32

If you have been following along with me in Ephesians then you will have begun to notice a theme Paul had with this letter - one of unity within the body of Christ. Last week we learned how the Spiritual Gifts each Christian is given are to be properly used - to equip us for ministry and to edify each other in the Lord. With the theme of unity and spiritual gifts in mind, Paul now tells the Ephesians (and us) how we should be "walking the walk" as followers of Jesus Christ.

How a Christian Should Behave
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Keep in mind that Paul is very concerned about the Gentile converts in Ephesians who were coming out of paganism. They had indulged in idol worship, which consisted of all kinds of bizarre practices, from sexual immorality (which involved orgies and temple prostitutes), to drinking blood. But now they were coming out of that lifestyle and so Paul wanted to make it clear to them, how they were now expected to live and it was quite a contrast. Even though Paul's mindset was focused on this problem with the Gentile converts, his examples on how a Christian should live and behave, still apply to us today. 

  • We should no longer live or walk as we used to. Paul makes it clear right away to the Ephesians - don't do what you did before! (Ephesians 4:17). That way of life, Paul explains, leads to futile thinking. Why? Because a life lived in continual sin will lead to having our thoughts darkened. Which leads to being alienated from the life of God and to ignorance, because our hearts are blinded. Continuing to live as we did before we came to the Lord will keep us where we were - in perpetual sin and darkness. For the Gentile converts it meant reverting back to giving themselves over to lewdness, uncleanness and greediness. It is one thing to say "I accept Jesus as my Saviour" it is quite another to make Him Lord of your life. That requires abiding in Him and turning from sin on a daily basis.
  • Be renewed in the spirit of your mind. The "renewal" mentioned in Ephesians 4:23 isn't about improving our memory skills. Nor is it about our judgment or perception in regards to our thinking. It is not about attaining a level of awareness and centering ourselves either, as some New Age T.V. preachers keep telling us to do. But, "the spirit of the mind," which, under the controlling power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, directs its bent and energies Godward so that we may enjoy fellowship with God and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We do that through Bible study and prayer. In other words, we direct our lives away from its former way of doing things and instead find our fulfillment in the will of God. We become "God-focused" rather than being "self-focused." And our thought processes (our minds) become renewed or changed, so that in everything we do, we find ourselves looking to God for approval rather than the world. And so we "put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24).
  • Do not lie. Paul says we need to speak the truth with each other. Why? Because we are members of one another. I know that sometimes the truth can hurt, and so we are tempted to "couch" it to make it seem less hurtful. But truth spoken in love is better than letting your friends or family believe in a lie. 
  • Do not sin in your anger. Ephesians 4:26 says "Be angry, but do not sin." Implying that it is okay to get angry, just don't cross over into sinning while angry. When Jesus went into the Temple and drove out the moneychangers, He was angry. He had every right to be, for as He stated, they had made His house (temple) into a den of thieves (Matthew 21:12). Jesus had righteous anger. But there are other kinds of anger. Anger that is caused by a cheating spouse or a disobedient child, or a politician whose every move seems to make our blood boil. Anger from injustice or anger from road-rage. These types of anger can lead us to sin and that happens when we allow them to fester and grow. As we are reminded in 2 Corinthians 10:5, we need to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. 
  • Do not let the sun go down on your wrath. In other words, if you are angry - GET OVER IT and do it quickly, otherwise you will give the devil a foothold and your anger will lead to sin. That guy on the highway may have cut you off and made you angry, but when you begin to plot about how you are going to "make him pay" that is revenge and it is sin. A simple way to get over this type of anger is to remember that not everyone is intentionally meaning to be a jerk. That guy might be trying to get to the hospital to visit his dying mother. That gal, might have just received horrible news and she isn't thinking straight. Forgive, forget, and move on.
  • Don't steal. Now this seems a rather odd statement to be making to one who has given their lives to Christ. But again, we are reading a letter Paul wrote to Gentile Christians who were coming out of paganism. Stealing was second nature to them. So let's look at the rest of that verse which says, "but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need" (Ephesians 4:28). In other words, use your hands for the good of others. If you used to be involved in illegal practices, stop doing them right now and start thinking about how you can make the lives of others better.
  • Watch your language! Ephesians 4:29 says, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."  A potty mouth is not becoming of anyone. It shows a lack of self-control, underlying anger issues and disrespect for others. But when a Christian swears or takes God's name in vain, it shows they have not allowed the Holy Spirit to abide within them. It also shows they do not respect God's holiness and authority in their lives.
  • Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. What would grieve the Holy Spirit? Ignoring Him and living as you did before you accepted Jesus as your Saviour. Ephesians 4:31 says, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." All these types of behaviour grieve the Holy Spirit, so do away with them.
  • Be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving toward one another. Why? Because Jesus forgave you and most importantly because we are of one body in Christ. We are knit together in bonds of unity and from our shared bond we have a desire to grow in the Lord and honour Him with our lives.

Living the Christian life is never easy because our sin-nature is still there. Yes, we've been forgiven, but that basic instinct to sin is always present. So it is all about the choices you make. Will you choose to live for Christ? In a way that honours and pleases Him, or will you choose to live as you did before? The choice is  yours.
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