Instructions for Christian Living

Ephesians 4:25-32

The article for today comes from the notes of a sermon preached by Rev. Donald Webster, pastor of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The sermon was preached July 15, 2015 for the morning worship on Homecoming Sunday. Pastor Webster graciously gives me the notes to his sermon upon my request. I am following his outline, and I am editing his notes and adding some additional commentary for this article. I give thanks to God for Pastor Webster for his willingness to share his work with me.

The Scripture for the sermon is Ephesians 4:25-32. The sermon title is: “Instructions for Christian Living.” After reading the scripture Pastor Webster gives us the following definitions that help to define a person’s life. Christians are to be concerned that they live us to these qualities. “Virtue” is thinking and doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. Virtues are the foundation of our principles and good morals. “Reputation” is what people think of you. “Character” is who you are. “Integrity” is who you are when nobody is around. It is doing right when no one is watching.

In the scripture passage Paul gives us a list of six virtues that we are to live by. In the corresponding scripture in Philippians 4:8-9 Paul begins by saying, “Finally, brethren.” The word “finally” means that something is difficult or is delayed. Thus, the virtues that Christians seek to obtain do not come easily or automatically. There is work to be done. There is the need for prayer and the study of God’s word on a regular basis. Then, we must put into action the things that we learn through prayer and the study of God’s word. Why is this necessary? The answer is found in Ephesians 4:17.

“So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind” (NASB). The Gentiles minds are completely out of touch with the reality of God, so they are going nowhere. In addition, they lack understanding. They are hard hearted, blind, shameless and greedy. Paul focuses on holy living, and this text gives us instructions on what to do to live the Christian life.

Every Christian is called to have a good conduct in Christ. They should be honest and diligent. They are to avoid conflict, and they are to treat others with respect. A true Christian is known by his or her good speech and kindness towards others, while many today spew out foul language like a turned-on fire hydrant.

The first instruction is “Speak the Truth.” In order to speak the truth one must have integrity. Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain. “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another” (Eph. 4:25, NASB). If Christ’s word is in us we will speak the truth because Jesus is the truth (Jn. 14:6).

A second component of speaking the truth is: “Stop Lying to One Another.” Christians depend on one another, and they must be able to trust one another. Proverbs 12:22 says, “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.” The word “delight” means that God gets great pleasure and joy. Christ delights in you if you are truthful. James 3:8 says, “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.”

The second instruction is: “Deal with Your Anger” (vv. 26-27). “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, And do not give the devil an opportunity.” Paul recognizes that anger is a part of life, but it must be handled correctly. So, Paul urges believers to settle negative feelings before sundown. Failure to do so keeps one’s anger alive and provides the devil with a foothold (or room) to work his evil in a person’s life. When you go to bed angry, the anger in you stays alive. Do not go to bed with anger, because you might die in your anger. Do not die angry. Psalm 4:4 says, “Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still.” Get it right before you go to bed because one of you might not wake up. The main point is seen in the following story:

A man came out of his home to admire his new truck. To his puzzlement, his three year old son was happily hammering dents into the shinny paint of the truck. The man ran to his son, knocked him away, and hammered the little boy’s hand into pulp as punishment.

When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital. Although the doctors tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate fingers from both hands of the boy.

When the boy woke up from the surgery and saw his bandage stubs, he innocently said, “Daddy I’m sorry about your truck.” Then he asked, “But when are my fingers going to grow back”?

The father went home and committed suicide. Think about this story the next time someone steps on your feet or you wish to take revenge. Think first before you lose your patience with someone you love. Trucks can be repaired. Broken bones and hurt feelings often can’t.

The third instruction is: “Be Honest” (v. 28). “He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who needs” (NASB). Proverbs 12:17 says, He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit.” John 8:32 says, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” When you tell the truth you don’t have to say anything else. In Colossians Paul gives the same instructions. He says, “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him” (Col. 3:9-10).

The fourth instruction is: “Have a Gracious Spirit” (v. 29). “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Here is a question to be considered. Do people benefit by what comes out of your mouth, or are they hurt and harmed in some way? “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Col. 3:6).

Jesus warns that each one of us will give an account of every word that we say. He says, ‘“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”’ (Matt. 12:36-37, NASB). “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Prov. 16:24). “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit” (Prov. 18:21).

The fifth instruction is: “Be in Harmony with the Spirit” (v. 30). “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” So, how does one grieve the Holy Spirit? When you let unwholesome talk come out your mouth and when you are not building people up you grieve the Holy Spirit. Every time you criticize people your spirit gets sad. Stop complaining all the time. It has been said, “If you can’t say something good, say nothing at all.”

The sixth instruction is: “Get Rid of Bitterness and Forgive and Be Kind” (vv. 31-32). Verse 31 says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger, clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” The word “malice” is defined as having the intention or desire to do evil.

Verse 32 says, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” When we recognize the benefits of forgiving-letting go of anger and resentment it will help us to keep calm, improve our health, and increase our happiness. Just as we appreciate being forgiven, we should likewise forgive the mistakes of others. Therefore, work to forgive as soon as you can rather than letting your anger fester. Proverbs 14:30 says, “A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.”

In conclusion Paul gives us two scriptures to encourage us. First, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity (Col.3:12-14, NASB).

Secondly, “Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:8-9, NASB).