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EPHESIANS 4:24-32

Too Close for Comfort?

Why?•Have you ever wondered why so many people hate the Bible with a passion? •Why they would go any length to stand against it and everything about Christianity? •Even persecute Christians to death?

Conviction…•It is because the Word of God reveals their sins as it is mentioned in John 3:

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”

John 3:19-20, NASB

Conviction…•It is because the Word of God reveals their sin as mentioned in John 3:•In addition to revealing unbelie- vers’ sins, the Bible also tells Christians how we should live. •It is not unusual for many half-hearted Christians to choose to ignore what the Bible says about their ungodly, backslidden behaviors.

“25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. 26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. 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 has need. 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. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and

slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

Ephesians 4:25-32, NASB

A. About the Lying…•We tell our kids not to lie, but show them something different…•V25 condemns all lies, white, etc.•Definition: a lie is a false statement intended to deceive•Whenever we speak truth, the Spirit of God works; but whenever we tell a lie, Satan goes to work in our lives

A. About the Lying…•There are two reasons why we must tell the truth:•1) God is the truth and we are His followers.•2) We are members of one another in the family of God. What we say affects each other•What about that question every husband fears????

B. About our Anger…•Vs 26-27 permit anger, but gives us a boundary•Get mad, just don’t sin•Not temper fits or road rage•Righteous indignation•There’s a reason He said “Don’t let the sun set on your anger…”

C. About stealing…•V 28 encompasses a whole array of activities, besides stealing bubble gum•Obvious as well as subtle theft•Stealing is also a title of Satan’s•What, then, is the remedy?•Work hard and help others•The Lazy Christians robs others, himself and God

D. About ‘unwholesome’ words•V 29 has given me trouble too•The Greek, ‘sapros’, means rotten, worthless, corrupt, bad•Did you know that the heart and the mouth are connected?

“You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”

Matthew 12:34, NASB

D. About ‘unwholesome’ words•V 29 has given me trouble too•The Greek, ‘sapros’, means rotten, worthless, corrupt, bad•Did you know that the heart and the mouth are connected?•The remedy for a bad words is filling our hearts with the love of Christ so that only truth, grace, and purity can come out of our mouths. Remember that your words have power

E. About Bitterness…•Vs 30-32 teach us what grieves the Holy Spirit•Bitterness in your heart for Christians or lost people, doesn’t matter which•Why the mystery person?•You may have no way to reach the one you need to forgive; no matter either

Take Home…•Speak the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help me God!•Be angry for unrighteousness, but don’t let your anger turn into a sin•Edify with your words, not vulgarity/profanity•Don’t let bitterness in/remain! Golden Rule•If you are now convicted, get right with God!