31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
Throughout this series, I Was Made for This, we have discovered Nehemiah's refusal to give up acting on the divine burden God gave him despite opposition, exhaustion, and distractions that arose. We have been encouraged by his example to refuse to give up on the divine burdens God has placed on our hearts. As we consider the call to persevere, refusing to quit as we act on our divine burdens, we were reminded during the weekend message that there are certainly things we need to give up, like complaining, speaking unkindly, hatred toward anyone, worry, and more. We need to give up and let go of the things that do not bring honor to God.
The apostle Paul encourages us to give up on the things that do not honor God in Ephesians 4. In this passage of Scripture, he calls us to stop living like unbelievers and instead to live in the light of Christ. He wrote, “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes” (verses 22-23). This call from Paul is to leave behind our old ways of living before we knew Christ, and to live fully devoted to Christ instead. As Paul continued explaining what it looks like to throw off our old ways of life, he wrote saying, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior" (verse 31). In other words, we are called to let go of anything that is not of Christ, including bitterness, anger, harsh words, and any kind of "evil behavior." These are the things that we are to focus on giving up as we continue to obey God and do something about the burdens He has placed on our lives. And, the remarkable thing is, as we live this way, we will be stronger, more courageous people as we set out to act on our divine burdens.
Have you felt like giving up on the divine burden God has placed on your heart? I implore you to keep going! Instead, focus on this list of things in Ephesians 4 that are not of God to rid yourself of. Then, you will become stronger, more courageous, and more like Christ as you seek to act on your divine burdens.
Moving toward action
Take a look at the list of things that the apostle Paul calls us to get rid of in Ephesians 4. Which of the things on this list do you need to focus on letting go of? Confess that area to God, asking Him to help you get rid of that sinful behavior. Commit to taking a step toward getting rid of that behavior today.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
God, as I seek to let go of things that do not honor you, search me…”
Going deeper
Unity in the Body
1Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
5There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6one God and Father of all,
who is over all, in all, and living through all.
7However, he has given each one of us a special gift[1] through the generosity of Christ. 8That is why the Scriptures say,
“When he ascended to the heights,
he led a crowd of captives
and gave gifts to his people.”[2]
9Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.[3] 10And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.
11Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be immature like 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. 15Instead, 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. 16He 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.
Living as Children of Light
17With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18Their 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. 19They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
20But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
25So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”[4] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29Don’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.
30And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,[5] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Translation notes (5)
- 4:7 Greek a grace.
- 4:8 Ps 68:18.
- 4:9 Some manuscripts read to the lower parts of the earth.
- 4:26 Ps 4:4.
- 4:30 Or has put his seal on you.
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