Character Becoming – Eph 4:25-32

Becoming Behavior – Character

Eph 4:25 – 32 “Therefore, putting away lying, “ Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor. for we are members of one another. Be angry, and do not sin” do not let the sun go down on your wrath nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

1. Behavior always follows believing
2. Speaking the Truth builds, all else corrupts
3. Let righteous indignation be your resolve but under His control
4. Fighting injustice should start at home
5. Anger not submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit is allowing the devil a foot in the door
6. The Holy Spirit is grieved when we give control to circumstances
7. Our behavior should point others to Jesus – don’t just work enough for self…

• There is a difference between things that seem true for the moment and what is True for eternity – eg. 10 spies came back saying what seemed true for the moment and God called it an evil report = non truth
• Since we have encountered the Truth (Jesus) we should let our speech be only in line with what he says (Mt 12:36 – give an account for every idle word)
• Words that line up with God’s Word are powerful and they are life
• The reason we NEED to speak the Truth is that we are part of one another – we are our brother’s keeper – we have a responsibility

Eph 4:26 “Be angry, and do not sin” do not let the sun go down on your wrath”

• The anger that Paul is talking about is not the explosive, uncontrolled reaction or the bitter, stored up wrath but the anger that is aroused by unrighteous conditions and looks to respond with righteous action
• When someone devalues what you value – you should feel anger – but what we do with that emotion can either right the wrong or make it worse – HS led is key
• Disappointment can be the spark that ignites anger = normal… its what we do with it that counts
• “Be angry” commands a continuous, abiding, settle attitude of righteous indignation against sin and sinful things together with the appropriate actions
• Today, the ‘in’ thing is to be active with righteous indignation against injustice globally – but what about in your home/family/marriage/friendships? – don’t let the sun go down on your wrath == deal with it! Don’t stuff it… bitterness

-       But “And do not sin” is a warning… we can easily cross over to anger that is uncontrolled and reactionary or bitter in its intent

Eph 4:27 “nor give place to the devil”

• This command is to stop an action that is presently happening – when we don’t harness our anger we give place to the devil

Eph 4:28 “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”

• Literally, “let the one who is stealing, steal no more”… stealing was not wholly condemned by ancient heathen opinion
• Paul now offers a corrective answer – WORK!

Eph 4:29 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

• Any word that doesn’t build, is a wasted word = idle
• Building words carry grace = empowering

Eph 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

• Again, this is a command to stop an action that is already happening – stop grieving the Holy Spirit…
• This statement is not a general exhortation but one referring back to vs 29… idle or worthless words are repugnant to the Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit is here seen as capable of feeling… He is love and love has its wrath side and its grieving side

Eph 4:31 “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”

• “Let” = a choice to be in control
• Don’t give control to emotions leading to evil words and actions

Eph 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

• This is a command to start a new behavior… become kind – they need to abandon their former to start a new… the Opposite – Kind, gracious, forgiving…
• Again, Paul points us to follow His example (1 John 2:6)

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