HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 1438
EP H ES IA N S 5
children. We won’t be tossed and blown about
by every wind of new teaching. We will not be
influenced when people try to trick us with lies
so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead,
we will speak the truth in love, growing in every
way more and more like Christ, who is the head
of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole
body fit together perfectly. As each part does its
own special work, it helps the other parts grow,
so that the whole body is healthy and growing
and full of love.
• Truth
E PH E S IA NS 4 :1 4 -1 6
Scripture is quite clear that, as followers
of Christ, we are called to do away with
false lifestyles and to live with integrity.
But what if the truth hurts? What if
an employee you manage must be
confronted about poor performance?
What if friends ask your opinion, and
you know it will not be what they want to
hear? Scripture says that we are to hold
to the truth in love. How important it is to
make sure our love for others is strong
enough to include the truth, and how
necessary it is to temper our truth-telling
with love! Too many times people use
honesty as an excuse for expressing
bitterness or criticism, saying, “I was
just telling the truth.” Too often Christian
relationships remain shallow because
we hide from the truth behind a facade
of “niceness.” May we have the courage
and gentleness to speak and live the truth
in Christ’s firm, yet gentle, love.
• Anger
E PH E S IA NS 4 :2 6 -2 7
A wildfire left unattended can easily burn
out of control. Anger left unattended or
unresolved can burn out of control within
us until it turns to rage, bitterness, or
revenge. Paul understood how anger can
be divisive in the church. Here he urges
people to deal with anger at once, even
though it may be painful and difficult. Are
you angry with someone? Talk to that
person today, even if you don’t know
what to say. Better yet, try pouring the
water of forgiveness on your anger, and
then watch it die out. Don’t keep anger
beyond sunset, which is to say, put out
the fire promptly—before it consumes
something that can’t be recovered.
page 1068
Living as Children of Light
17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no
longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives
because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no
sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure
and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
20 But that isn’t what you learned about
Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and
have learned the truth that comes from him,
22 throw off your old sinful nature and your
former way of life, which is corrupted by lust
and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew
your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new
nature, created to be like God—truly righteous
and holy.
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors
the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”*
Don’t let the sun go down while you are still
angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use
your hands for good hard work, and then give
generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul
or abusive language. Let everything you say be
good and helpful, so that your words will be an
encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy
Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has
identified you as his own,* guaranteeing that
you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh
words, and slander, as well as all types of evil
behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as
God through Christ has forgiven you.
Living in the Light
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you
do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live
a life filled with love, following the example of
Christ. He loved us* and offered himself as a
sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity,
or greed among you. Such sins have no place
among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish
talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you.
Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You
can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy
person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and
of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse
these sins, for the anger of God will fall on
all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the
things these people do. 8 For once you were full
of darkness, but now you have light from the
5
4:26 Ps 4:4. 4:30 Or has put his seal on you.
manuscripts read loved you.
5:2 Some