LIVING A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST-08 (Ephesians 4:17-32)

EPHESIANS 4:17-32

When we are made “priests”, it means we are clothed in
righteousness and our lives have been changed. Old habits
that are considered unrighteous have been exchanged for
new righteous habits.
    John, to the seven churches in the province of Asia:
    Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who
    was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits
    before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the
    faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the
    ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us
    and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has
    made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God
    and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and
    ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:4-6)

An example of someone who has
not given up their unrighteous habits:
    It was only a church softball game. The profane language
    used by one of the team members caught the attention of
    several in the stands, as well as on the field. He claimed to
    be a Christian. The words he used and his tone of voice
    indicated otherwise. He destroyed his influence with those
    who were at the game, and damaged his testimony for Christ,
    because of his uncontrolled anger and language.

Question:
When anyone hears a person using profanity, what are some
assumptions (right or wrong) that they might make about the
person?
    – He or she is not a Christian.
    – He or she is disrespectful of others.
    – He or she has a limited vocabulary.
    – He or she is trying to impress others
      (maybe due to having a low self-esteem).
    – He or she is trying to fit in (with others and/or the world).
    – He or she is an angry person.
    – He or she doesn’t know any other way to emphasize their point.
    – He or she has developed a bad habit.

We all have unrighteous habits that we
need to get rid of when we become Christians.

Is there anything in our life that would cause an unbeliever to
think we are not a Christian? Could someone point to us and
without question say, “Now there is a Christian!”?

When we think about our place in the world as followers of Christ,
we must never forget that there is something that separates us from
unbelievers – something that the Father bestows only upon those
who call on the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. What makes us
different is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in our
hearts and lives.
    (think about what that means – the Holy Spirit is living within us)

Now, here is another question. Is there a difference between
“having the Holy Spirit” and “living in the Holy Spirit”? Yes,
and in fact, it is a tremendous difference. If we are living in
the Spirit by growing in our Christian walk, then the Spirit
within us will begin to bear spiritual fruit in our lives.

In a real sense, that fruit will be our shining testimony in a dark
world. Spirit-filled, Christ-like character is the difference that
will set us apart from those who don’t know God. This is how
the world will know who we are, what we believe, and more
importantly, how they too, can come to a saving knowledge
of Jesus Christ.

These are not simple traits that we can strive for, or earn. Instead,
they are the result of the Spirit’s presence in our lives. And if this
fruit is not evident in our lives, then it will be almost impossible
for people to even notice our faith in God. No matter what we say
about the Lord, our actions always speak louder. Unless our works
match up with our words, the things we actively do for the Lord
can become fruitless and meaningless.

There must be a distinction between the lifestyles of believers
and non-believers.
    Question:
    Agree, or disagree? Why?

The need to deal with ‘anger’, ‘bitterness’, and ‘violence’
is evident in our society today. God instructs us to replace
them with ‘kindness’, ‘compassion’, and ‘wholesome speech’.

Question:
If a person’s life, habits, and overall personality have not
changed, what would others assume about their Christianity?

Paul writes about living holy when we are truly believers.
We are called to change from our sinful attitudes and actions.
    Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off
    your old self with its practices and have put on the
    new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in
    the image of its Creator. (Colossians 3:9-10)

Question:
What are some things that should not
be present in our lives, if we are living holy?

EPHESIANS 4
VERSE 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.

Paul spoke with God’s authority and used vigorous language
to urge the Ephesians to change their lives and lifestyles.

The Ephesians lived in a pagan environment (a society that
gave no thought to God), so Paul admonished them to live
righteous and holy lives.

Question:
What is different about our environment today?
    – Television; computers; fast travel; instant communications.

Question:
Does God expect any less of us than He did of the Ephesians?

Note:
We have to demonstrate holy and righteous living in a sensual
and immoral culture. If we are not ‘striving’ for this type of
daily living, then we need to evaluate our conversion experience.

“futility of their thinking”
    – Describes a secular world view; a philosophy of life which
      was at odds with the reality created by God. It pointed to
      an emptiness, a lack of direction, and a lack of purpose.

    – In contrast, Christ gives believers the motive and ability
      for accurate thinking. As His followers, we can recognize
      the difference between ‘secular’ and ‘scriptural’ thinking.

VERSE 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.

Paul identifies unbelievers in several ways:
    1. Darkened in their understanding:
        When the light of Christ and His Word have
        not penetrated the person, and God has not
        been accepted as the supreme authority, then
        their minds continue in darkness.

    2. Separated from the life of God:
        Question:
        How would you describe the life of God?

    3. Ignorance:
        Question:
        Ignorant of what?
            – The abundant life offered by God?
            – God’s expectations of His people?

    4. Hardening of their hearts:
        The word “hardening” means “calloused”.
        It refers to both thinking and emotions. Satan’s influence
        creates a calloused outlook. More importantly, he creates
        a constant rejection of the leadings of the Holy Spirit and
        it can harden a person. A person with a ‘hardened heart’
        is not willing to make changes in their lives, to become a
        living witness (priest) for the Lord.

VERSE 19.
Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves
over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of
impurity, with a continual lust for more.

Paul continues:
    5. Having lost all sensitivity:
        They no longer cared for God or His standards
        of righteous living. They have a state of mind
        where there is no guard against what is wrong,
        which results in no desire to refrain from doing
        wrong. The urge to fulfill sensual desires becomes
        so strong, it controls the whole human personality.
        Even the things that are wrong begin to seem
        right (causing people to justify their unrighteous
        behavior).

    6. Indulge in every kind of impurity:
        When there is no longer a sense of guilt (“having lost
        all sensitivity”), they feel free to do anything they desire,
        without regard for the feelings, or well-being of others.
        Note:
        This kind of thinking can often lead to verbal,
        emotional, mental, and physical abuse of others.

    7. Continual lust for more:
        This describes people who cannot be satisfied.
            Whoever loves money never has enough;
            whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with
            their income. This too is meaningless.
            (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

        Question:
        What does a ‘lack of satisfaction’ lead to?
            – A desire to try even more things to achieve satisfaction.

        Question:
        Is the Christian life satisfying?
        If so, then why, or how, is it satisfying?

VERSE 20.
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.

By contrast, Paul told believers not to live as the
unrighteous, but live in a way to know Christ better.

“come to know Christ”
    – Refers to training after conversion, not to the
      conversion experience itself (confirmed in verse 21).

VERSE 21.
Surely you heard of him and were taught in him
in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

“Surely”
    – Translates a term that communicates the idea
      “If it is true, and it IS true”.

They had been taught the truth.
    – Through sermons, lessons, and just reading the bible,
      we have been taught about the need for righteous living.

    Note:
    God would not ask us to live righteously without giving us
    the power to make it possible. He empowers us through the
    indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

VERSE 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;

Paul is very blunt about believers turning from
the characteristics of the life they lived before conversion.

Note:
Through the power God provides, we need to re-program
our thinking and strive to develop the characteristics of Christ.

“being corrupted by its deceitful desires”
    Question:
    Why do you think he called them “deceitful desires”?
        – They are hidden.
        – They make promises of fulfillment that are never kept.
        Note:
        When someone is lured into deceitful desires, they end
        up going deeper and deeper into sin, trying to achieve
        satisfaction (but permanent satisfaction continues to
        elude those who think sin will provide what the need).

        Question:
        How many times have you and I been
        deceived into a desire for something that is wrong?

VERSE 23.
to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

“the attitude of your minds”
    – Refers to the human spirit or attitude, not the Holy Spirit.
    Note:
    We are challenged to re-orient our thinking to God’s desires
    for us. This new attitude in thinking gives us the ability to see
    problems with our old way of thinking. Spiritual maturity
    opens our eyes to the things that have been blinding us,
    and we see them for what they really are.

VERSE 24.
and to put on the new self, created
to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

To paraphrase, Paul is saying,
    “Our new outlook, results in a new behavior”.

We ‘can’ live a righteous and holy life
(something we previously may have felt, or feel, is impossible).

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

Whether in the church, or in the world,
as believers, we should always be truthful.

Question:
What are the advantages of being truthful?

Question:
Are there times when we should not lie,
but maybe not share the whole truth?
    – When we know it will be hurtful to someone else?

Question:
What does this verse say to you?
    Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying
    tongue lasts only a moment. (Proverbs 12:19)
        – It tells us that a truthful person can be trusted, doesn’t it?

VERSE 26.
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let
the sun go down while you are still angry,

Paul quoted from Psalm to point out the wrong kind of anger.
    In your anger do not sin; when you are on your
    beds, search your hearts and be silent. (Psalm 4:4)

Jesus expressed righteous anger when He cleansed the Temple.
    When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover,
    Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts
    he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and
    others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he
    made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the
    temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered
    the coins of the money changers and overturned
    their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get
    these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s
    house into a market!” His disciples remembered
    that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume
    me.” (John 2:13-17)
    Note:
    We need to be careful that anger,
    even toward evil, does not consume us.

Question:
Why do you think we are told to ‘lose
our anger’ before retiring for the night?
    – It’s difficult sleeping when we are angry.
    – The longer we hold on to anger, the more
      time we will spend figuring out ways to get even.

VERSE 27.
and do not give the devil a foothold.

    – Satan knows the destructive power of anger, and he
      will use it as a foothold as he strives to ruin our lives.

Question:
What are some negative impacts when
believers allow anger to get out of control?
    – We can lose our testimony.
    – We can use it to justify our sinning.
    – We can hurt others (physically and/or emotionally).
    – We can turn to drinking, illicit drugs, etc.
    – We can have a bad influence on others.

VERSE 28.
He who has been stealing must steal no longer,
but must work, doing something useful with his
own hands, that he may have something to share
with those in need.

Holiness and righteousness are to be demonstrated in
our lives by honest labor. Our efforts and energy should
be focused on helping others, and sharing with them as needed.

VERSE 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.

Our speech should reflect a life that is striving for holiness.

“unwholesome” – Translates a word that means “rotten”.

Unwholesome speech is like rotten food; it not only spoils
a person’s testimony, but it can also damage the lives of
others.

Question:
Why do many have higher expectations and standards
for deacons and pastors than they do for themselves?
Some have the idea that, “They should not use
unwholesome talk, but I can.”

Paul took it a step further:
    Not only should we avoid impure speech, but
    we are to make special efforts to ‘build up others’.

    Question:
    Why would he tell us to build up others?
        – It takes the focus off of ourselves?

    Question:
    How often do you go out of our way to encourage others?
    How often do you bypass talking about yourself in order
    to ask others about themselves?

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

Paul tells us to not grieve the Holy Spirit.
Note:
Since he has been stressing unity and holiness, we know
that anything that disrupts unity, or distracts from the
righteousness of God, will grieve the Holy Spirit.

Between the time we “were sealed”
and “the day of redemption”,
we have to exercise caution in what we say.

Note:
Believers were sealed with the Holy Spirit at conversion,
however….in the day of redemption, we will give an
account of our conversations and speech. We need to
think of our words and attitudes as importantly as the
Lord does. We please the Lord and the Holy Spirit
whenever our speech is wholesome and righteous.
    But I tell you that men will have to give account
    on the day of judgment for every careless word
    they have spoken. For by your words you will be
    acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
    (Matthew 12:36-37)

VERSE 31.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling
and slander, along with every form of malice.

Paul lists a wide range of attitudes, speech, and actions
that are destructive to others and offensive to God.
    – Bitterness:
      If we refuse to be reconciled to God, or to others;
      if something is eating away at us; then we may be
      harboring bitterness.

    – Rage:
      A passionate fierceness
      (refers to a sudden outbreak of hostility).

    – Anger:
      More of a seething, long lasting hostility.

    – Brawling:
      Means an “out cry” and points to the abusive language
      resulting from anger; it can also result in physical aggression.

    – Slander:
      It basically means to say things about others that is untrue.

    – Malice:
      It indicates a spiteful disposition.

Note:
When Paul says to “get rid of all” this, he means
to pick up and carry them away (like taking out the trash).

Note:
God provides believers with
the power to remove these negative qualities.

VERSE 32.
Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Note:
When God leads us “away” from
anything, He leads us “toward” something else.

Here Paul reminds us that whenever God asks us
to remove things from our lives, He provides us
with what we need to fill the void (such as being
kind, compassionate and forgiving to one another).

Paul also points out that we are no better than God.
    – If He can forgive us (even though He knows our
      hidden secrets), then certainly we need to have an
      attitude forgiveness toward each other (even those
      who are unkind and unforgiving toward us).

SUMMARY:
– If we expect to live lives pleasing to God, then
we have to eliminate certain things from our lives.
Note:
If anything we do is displeasing to God, then
they must be harmful to us, and to those around us.

CHALLENGE:
– Start with at least one and make a conscious effort
to eliminate all bad traits or habits during the week.
At the same time, try to develop a pleasing trait or
habit that we may be lacking.

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