Words Matter Ephesians 4: 23-24, 29, 32

Edifying Words Creates Unity. Faith and practice go hand in hand. We are encouraged to watch our conversations. Harsh and filthy words we speak may corrupt and hurt the minds and manners of those who hear them. Be ye kind one to another. This sets forth the principle of love in the heart, and the outward expression of it. We are also encouraged to forgive others. Use the life of Jesus as a guide.

Transcript

Christian faith and Christian practice go hand in hand.

Faith shapes behavior.

In chapter 4 of Ephesians,

The Apostle Paul points out some specifics dealing with purity and holiness in our Christian lives.

The grace of Jesus Christ is the reason we put off our old self and pursue a life that reflects the one in whom we believe.

We will meditate on Ephesians 4 verses 23-24,

29,

And 32.

King James Version 23,

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

24,

And that ye put on the new man,

Which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

24,

And that ye put on the new man,

Which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

29,

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,

But that which is good to the use of edifying.

32,

And be ye kind one to another,

Tenderhearted,

Forgiving one another,

Even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

Here we have the Apostle Paul while in a room in jail writing a letter to the church in Ephesus.

Ephesus was a large metropolitan city of about 250,

000,

A hub of magic and mysticism.

The first part of the letter he recounts the life of Jesus.

The second part of the letter tells us how we should live.

Speak the truth in love.

Speak only what is useful in edifying.

Let no foul language come from your mouth.

This verse is often quoted for Christians not to use profanity.

However it goes much deeper than that.

What comes out of your mouth is a reflection of what is in your heart.

Matthew 15 18.

Ephesians 4 23-32 The Message You learned Christ.

My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him,

Been well instructed in the truth.

We do not have the excuse of ignorance.

An old way of life has to go.

Take on an entirely new way of life,

A God-fashioned life,

A life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

Take on an entirely new way of life,

A God-fashioned life,

A life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

Watch the way you talk.

Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth.

Say only what helps.

Each word is a gift.

Be gentle with one another,

Sensitive.

Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Paul states that many of the people actually saw Jesus and confirmed his life and attributes.

He says if we are disciples of Christ,

We should strive to do as he did,

Live as he lived,

And become more like him in our actions and in our minds.

Paul makes a contrast of how to react when facing different experiences.

For this meditation,

We concentrate on the positive actions that demonstrate you are a follower of Christ.

Ephesians 4 23-32,

The New International Version.

To be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put one,

The new self,

Created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

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.

Be kind and compassionate to one another,

Forgiving each other just as Christ God forgave you.

Your mind was also affected when you were saved.

Verse 23,

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

The Greek word that translated renewed is only used one time in the Bible.

It is not the same word used everywhere else.

Its meaning is to be made young again.

Or to use another analogy,

You have been given a whole new holy wardrobe.

Don't put back on all of the old grave clothes.

You're a new creature.

And the old clothes are not going to fit the same.

Your conscience will make you uncomfortable in them.

Do not be conformed to this world,

But be transformed rather by the renewing of your mind.

Romans 12 2 The idea of putting on the new self is not new in the sense of being repaired or remanufactured.

It is new in a different species or character.

Verse 24,

And to put on the new self,

Created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Verse 24 tells us that our new self is in the likeness of God and created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Righteousness deals with our relationships with other people,

While holiness refers to our relationship with God.

In both areas,

The Christian is to reflect the character of God,

Position before God.

By placing,

By practicing,

We are learning to live in holiness and righteousness.

Our struggle exists because God has placed a new nature within us.

If there is no struggle,

There is no new nature.

At times,

We may become weary in the battle,

But the Holy Spirit is present to empower us and to continue on.

Verse 29,

Watch the way you talk,

Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouths,

Say only what will help.

Each word is a gift.

It should be normal that a Christianity brings about a radical change in the individual.

Verse 31-32,

Make a clean break with all profane talk.

Be gentle with one another and sensitive.

Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Be kind to one another,

Tenderhearted,

Forgiving one another.

The new man seeks to show the same kindness,

Tender heart,

And forgiveness to others.

Just as God in Christ forgave you,

Our forgiveness to others is patterned after the forgiveness of Jesus towards us.

When we think of the amazing way God forgives us,

God always makes the first move in forgiveness,

Trying to reconcile even though the guilty party is uninterested in the forgiveness.

God forgives our sin,

Knowing that we will sin again,

Often exactly the very same way.

God's forgiveness is so complete and glorious that he grants adoption to those former offenders.

God's forgiveness offers complete restoration and honor.

He loves,

Adopts,

Honors,

And associates with those who once wronged him.

People will know Christ by our love for one another.

John 13,

34-35.

All of the examples of Paul mentioned in the Ephesians are rooted in love because we are shown the ultimate love from Jesus Christ.

Paul reminds us the hope that we have.

We are sealed and set apart by God for those who believe in him.

He reminds us,

Be kind and compassionate to one another.

Reflection questions.

How do you normally deal with anger?

What could help you in these verses?

How much has God's forgiveness towards you affected the way you treat others?

What is one new way your daily life could point others to the grace of God this week?

Is there someone you need to apologize to?

Or forgive even if they didn't apologize to you?

So what did we learn with this meditation?

Proper edifying talk.

Words spoken to us just at the right time stay with us for the rest of our lives as two words of malice.

If the words of others have an impact on us,

Then we can be sure that what we say has the same impact on others.

We should therefore strive to speak only that which will build up others in their faith,

Which requires spirit-given discernment regarding what we are to say and when we are to say it.

Ephesians 4.

32 is a call to kindness.

The steadfast love and kindness for believers that make us eager to forgive them define the true Christian.

This is biblical Christianity.

Those who are Christ's seek to be imitators of Christ.

This then elevates the teaching and the receiving of the Gospel beyond mere listening and learning.

The listening should produce admiration,

Affection,

And action.

Ephesians 4.

23,

24,

29,

And 32.

To be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self,

Rated to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

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,

Be kind and compassionate to one another,

Forgiving each other,

Just as Christ's God forgave you.

Ephesians 4.

23,

24,

29,

And 32.

Reviews

Great! Ty

So beautiful & most helpful for those wanting to deeply know more and more of God's word, salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Beautiful and awesome! With much appreciation,
😇🙏❤🕊⚡🎶🤗

Beautiful God spoken words to live by. 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼

God spoken at just the right time. Thank you for this message. I had a little trouble hearing the audio though. It almost sounded like it was spoken into a tin can.