Ephesians 4:25 (ESV) "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."
I. Be Honest
If we are going to live a new life we have to be honest. This is more than just lying, it includes misleading, cheating and betraying confidence. Our default setting is falsehood. We aren't taught to lie. It helps us to stay out of trouble. Satan is the father of lies, Jesus is truth.
John 8:44 (ESV) "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
Revelation 21:8 (ESV) "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
Zechariah 8:16 (ESV) "These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;"
Wouldn't it be cool if we just tell the truth. Wouldn't it be cool if our politicians told the truth! Honesty builds closeness/trust. Deceit destroys a church...a home.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV) "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."
II. Don't let anger control you.
Paul quotes Psalms 4:4 (ESV) "Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent."
It is ok to be angry. Jesus was angry, but he did not sin. Sometimes the way we deal with anger leads to sin. When you were seething in anger, were you in control? Did you get a lot done? Did it help the situation?
In Numbers 20 Moses was angry and he was probably justified, but he puts himself on the same level as God. He was chastised by God.
Romans 12:14-21 (ESV) "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written. 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
This is not talking about self-defense, this is not talking about protecting the innocent, but vengeance. Pray about your anger. Satan will use anger to destroy you.
Ephesians 4:28 (ESV) "Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need."
III. Work Hard & Give Generously
God created work before sin entered into the world. Work is not a curse.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 (ESV) "For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living."
Earn money and serve the Lord.
2 Corinthians 9:6 (ESV) "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
Hebrews 13:16 (ESV) "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
Proverbs 19:17 (ESV) "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed."
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
IV. Watch your mouth
As Christians we should watch what words come out of our mouths. Words can hurt, but they can also build up and encourage.
Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Use your words to build up. Do not leave things unsaid either. Sometimes we need to communicate what the Lord lays on our heart. Build up God's people with words. God will judge every idle word. We have all said awful things that have hurt people. Apologize you can admit you are wrong. It does help.
Ephesians 4:30-31 (ESV) "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."
When we act wrongly we grieve the Holy Spirit. God cares for his children. It hurts him when we walk in our old ways. As a parent it is hard to watch your children squander and suffer. It is the same for God. These verses summarize previous verses encourage to "lay aside old self put on new self." How do we do this? Just be like Jesus and ask for help.
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
V. Be Kind and Compassionate
Matthew 9:36 (ESV) "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
VI. Forgive
Luke 23:34 (ESV) "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide his garments."
The Parable of the unforgiving servant. The master forgives the servants large debt, but the servant does not forgive another's small debt. What does it say when you refuse to forgive?
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