Monthly Archives: August 2024

Bible, Blessing, Edification, Scripture, Tongue, Words

USE THE RIGHT WORDS

EPHESIANS 4:29

“Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

How many times have you said something only to regret it a second later? The words just slipped out of your mouth. Sure, you were thinking them, but you didn’t mean to say them. Or maybe you did mean to say them. You meant to inflict harm on someone’s feelings. You knew exactly what you were saying. Words are like toothpaste – once they are out it is impossible to get them back in.

Paul knew the danger of unwholesome words. I am sure he had heard plenty of those when he was a pharisee. But what does that word “unwholesome” even mean? The Greek word is sapros which means “rotten, useless, corrupt, depraved” (Strong’s Concordance). The word was used primarily to refer to fruits or vegetables that were overripe or putrid. Hmmm, what does that say about these unwholesome words in our mouth?

APPLICATION

The word sapros is used in Matthew 7:17-18, “17 ‘So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad  tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.’” It’s interesting to me that sapros is used here to describe the tree (the source of the fruit) and not the fruit (the product). What does that say about us when we use unwholesome words?

Sapros is also used in Matthew 13:47-48 when Jesus told the parable about the dragnet. “47 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they pulled it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away.’” Jesus will not receive these unwholesome words any more than He will receive these bad fish.

I believe the key to today’s verse is found in the last phrase – “so that it will give grace to those who hear.” We should only use words that give grace. What does that mean? It means to bless them in some way. We are to build them up not tear them down. Today choose your words carefully. Edify and give grace.

The tongue is a slippery thing and can cause much damage. Help me guard my tongue today, O Lord.

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Bible, Blessing, Giving, Money, Scripture, Sharing

SHARING WITH OTHERS

EPHESIANS 4:28

“The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather he must labor, producing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need.”

I have never been a wealthy man, but I do love to give to individuals or causes when the Lord prompts me. There is just something about helping someone who has a real need. I have had the opportunity from time to time to bless a friend who just had a baby or to assist a brother with a ministry need. I have even been able to help meet more urgent needs like someone who had an unexpected life event (death in family, home fire, etc). It is such a blessing to be able to give when I can.

We are instructed by Paul in today’s verse to do just that. He tells us that we work and labor for just that purpose. Look at the verse. We labor “so that we (he) will have something to share with one who has need.” That was not the first thing people thought about in Ephesus. Self-centeredness has been around a long time. But Paul told the Ephesians and tells us today that we are blessed with resources to share.

APPLICATION

The word translated “share” is metadidómi. It means to give a share of something. In Luke 3:11 Jesus says this about sharing, “And he would answer and say to them, ‘The one who has two tunics is to share with the one who has none; and the one who has food is to do likewise.’” If Jesus expected us to share, why wouldn’t we?

In Romans 12:8, Paul is writing about our spiritual gifts. He mentions giving in that list. “…the one who gives, with generosity;…” Giving is a gift of the Spirit. Now, before you say Well Carl, that gift just skipped right over me. That’s not how it works. When we receive the Spirit of God in our lives, we receive all the gifts of the Spirit. Sure, some are more prominent in our lives than others, but this gift of giving is part of the Spirit’s gifts to us. We just may choose to not exercise that gift.

This sharing, however, is not just about money or resources. It may involve our very selves. Look at 1 Thessalonians 2:8, “in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.” So, the question is really, why aren’t we sharing more?

Lord, give me the desire and ability to be a blessing to someone else today.

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Anger, Bible, Devil, Opportunity, Scripture

NOT AN INCH

EPHESIANS 4:27

“and do not give the devil an opportunity.”

You’ve heard the saying, “If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.” It is so true in so many circumstances. Some people will nudge their way in and then take over. It may be very subtle to begin with. You don’t even notice it. Then one day you wake up and they are in charge of everything. Little by little by little. We have to be aware, don’t we.

As Paul finishes up this thought that he began a few verses back, he says in today’s verse to simply not give the devil any room to operate. The word used here translated as “opportunity” really means a spot, a position limited in space. The devil will settle for a small spot in order to get in. He knows if he does, he can begin to infiltrate the rest of your life. Paul knew that, so he warns the Ephesians and us. Keep guard. Keep him out.

APPLICATION

This certainly applies to my life. I know how easy it is to let things slide. When I went to college, I was a brand new believer. I had been saved one year before. I was ready to take on that university campus for Jesus. And I did get involved with the Baptist Student Union. I did share Jesus with my friends and dormmates. But I also allowed my convictions to get influenced ever so slightly. When I left the university, I was at best a moderate. I had moved. Satan had easily guided me there.

One commentator says this about giving that opportunity to the devil. “that is, occasion, or scope, to the devil, by continuing in ‘wrath.’ The keeping of anger through the darkness of night, is giving place to the devil, the prince of darkness.” Let that anger go. If you don’t, the devil will use it. He will build a stronghold in your life that will imprison you.

In Luke 22:3 we find this interesting passage. “And Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who belonged to the number of the twelve.” Judas, who walked with Jesus daily, allowed Satan to take a spot in his life. His anger over Jesus not fulfilling his expectations of the Messiah overwhelmed him. And poof – Satan was right there to entice and infiltrate. Beware. He is on the prowl (1 Peter 5:8).

Father, I give You control over my thoughts and actions to safeguard me against the devil’s influences

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Anger, Bible, Peace, Scripture, Sin

BE ANGRY?

EPHESIANS 4:26

“BE ANGRY, AND YET DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,”

I bet you never get angry. The water is different at your house. Right! We all get angry from time to time. The problem with anger is we normally let our emotions get the best of us and say or do things we normally would not. We get angry in traffic (confession time). We get angry at the weather, like that’s gonna help. We get angry at the alarm clock. Can I get an amen? Fortunately, we have some instructions in God’s Word about how to handle our anger.

Paul gives us some vital instructions in verses 26 and 27 (we will see that verse tomorrow). I felt the definition in HELPS Word studies was too good to not include the whole thing. The word for “be angry” is orgízō. It means to “be angry, as expressing a ‘fixed anger’ (settled opposition). Orgízo is positive when inspired by God – and always negative when arising from the flesh. “Sinful (unnecessary) anger’ focuses on punishing the offender rather than the moral content of the offense.”

APPLICATION

Wasn’t that good? Anger can be good or bad, depending on the source. We all know the story of Jesus getting angry in the Temple and overturning the money changers’ tables (Matthew 21:12). But listen, that does not give us the right to run in somewhere and start tearing things up. James 1:20 says, “The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” Just because Jesus did it, that does not mean we should act that way. Remember, He was (and still is) God.

I like verse 26 because I can easily follow this command. Well…the first two words, lol. But the verse does not stop there. Paul goes on to tell us, “And yet do not sin.” Did you know Paul was quoting Psalm 4:4? It says, “Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still. Selah.” It’s not an exact quotation but obviously the same idea is there.

What gets you angry? Can you get angry and not sin? That’s a hard one, isn’t it? Paul closes this verse by telling us to make things right before we lay our heads down each night. I have to admit I haven’t always done that. That’s wrong. That’s not what God tells us to do here. Can you practice this verse today and then again tomorrow and the day after that? In the absence of anger peace arises.

O Lord, let me not get angry over things that are no importance to You. Help me keep my anger in check with all my loved ones.

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Bible, Body, Falsehoods, Freedom, Trust, Trustworthy, Truth

STOP THAT LYING

EPHESIANS 4:25

“Therefore, ridding yourselves of falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE OF YOU WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, because we are parts of one another.”

Boy, I remember growing up with three siblings. There were always lies flying around. “Who broke that?” “It was Tim.” “Who didn’t take out the trash?” “Cheryl was supposed to do that.” I could continue, but you get the picture. There was no way I was going to own up to something that I could possibly get away with. Lying was like breathing, lol. Yea, those were small lies, but they were still lies and once caught (and I almost always was), I got the expected consequence, a spanking (yep, my parents believed in that).

The Ephesian believers had been immersed in a pagan culture for years. Now they are new creations in Christ which demanded a different lifestyle. Lying was customary in paganism. Honesty was rare. That bad habit, that lifestyle had to go. The word “falsehood” is pseudos, which literally means a lie, an untruth. Paul is telling them that because they are part of each other now in the body of Christ, truth must be practiced.

APPLICATION

John uses this word pseudos in 1 John 2:21 and 27. “I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.” “And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him remains in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you remain in Him.” Truth is important. Jesus called Himself the truth, didn’t He? Therefore, I can’t imagine Him approving of our lying.

Over in Romans 1:25, Paul talks about the danger of lies. “For they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” You see, the opposite of truth is falsehood. If you are not practicing the truth, you are practicing falsehood. We must live in the truth.

The next time you are tempted to lie about something, remember this verse. Remember how Jesus called Himself the truth. Remember what God requires. Remember you are part of the body of Christ. Walk in the truth and then you will be walking with Jesus.

The truth will surely set me free. Thank You, Father, for giving me the truth.

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Bible, Clothing, New, Regeneration, Salvation, Scripture

THE TAILOR

EPHESIANS 4:24

“and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”

A couple of years ago, while I was in Kenya teaching at a Pastors’ conference, I was given the opportunity to go to a local clothes manufacturer and have a tailored African suit made for me. We went into the office where a tailor took my measurements. He measured my chest, waist (which was and still is too big, lol), arms and inseam. Within a few days, I was presented with a beautiful African suit which I wear proudly.

Paul describes God’s tailoring efforts on us in today’s verse. He says our “new self” has been tailored “in the likeness of God.” Actually, the Greek just reads “according to God.” The idea Paul is trying to get across is it is God who has given us this new self which “has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” This new self is given to us by God so that we can walk righteously and holy, just like He is.

APPLICATION

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” The same Greek word for “new” is used here as in today’s verse. It means to be qualitatively new, to be fresh. I have to tell you – the African suit I have is definitely fresh, lol. I did not have another suit like that.

The same word is used to describe the new wineskins in Mark 2:22. Listen, it’s this simple. Jesus makes all things new when He comes into your life. In referring to this “new self,” Albert Barnes says this, “The change is so great, that there is no impropriety in speaking of one who has experienced it as ‘a new man.’ He has new feelings, principles, and desires. He has laid aside his old principles and practices, and, in everything that pertains to moral character, he is new.”

Is that you? Can others describe you as “new.” If you have ever seen someone who has been truly renewed spiritually, you know exactly what I am talking about. They are the same outwardly, but inwardly they are a new person. Only Christ can do that. He will continually renew us day by day until that glorious day when we see Him face to face and are changed into a perfect, glorified spirit to live with Him forever. Halleljuah!

Thank You for my renewal. Thank You for making me brand new.

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Bible, Cleansing, Refreshing, Renewed, Scripture

RENEWAL

EPHESIANS 4:23

“and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,” 

To be renewed, to be refreshed! Don’t you love the feel of a nice, hot (or cold) shower? I was out working in my yard recently very early to avoid the heat of the day. I was putting dirt and mulch in a flower bed we have in the front of our house. Let me tell you, even though it wasn’t a big job, when I got through, I was in desperate need of a shower. I was hot, sweaty and filthy. I needed to be renewed. That shower did the trick.

Paul uses a word translated as “renewed” that is only used right here in the New Testament. It’s the Greek word ananeoó, which comes from aná (up, completing a process) which intensifies néos (recent, new). HELPS Word studies defines it as “going up to a higher stage (level of sanctification) by God’s power; divinely renewed.” Paul is telling the Ephesian believers and us that God has the power to renew our minds.

APPLICATION

I had a phone conversation with a friend of mine this week who has struggled with pornography for years. He was anxious to tell me that the Lord had set him free from this addiction. He described it as being renewed. He feels fresh and clean because his mind has been renewed spiritually. He had tried for years to quit this horrible habit. Finally, after surrendering his mind to Christ, he has been set free. Praise the Lord!

This renewal is comparable to what Jesus said in John 3:3. “Jesus responded and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” Being born again is a renewal of your whole self, your body, mind and spirit. I still remember how I felt when I came to Christ back in July 1977. I was renewed and set free.

There is a laundry detergent that advertises its long lasting fragrance. It claims you can smell it days after washing. I had much rather have the fragrance of Christ on me through the renewal of my mind. It is an eternal renewal. Are you walking in the fragrance of Christ today? Come to Him. Let Him renew your mind today.

I am so thankful, Lord, that You can renew me day after day. Your compassion is new every day.

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Battles, Bible, Choices, Failures, God's Will, Scripture, Sin

THROW OUT THE OLD

EPHESIANS 4:22

“that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,” 

One good thing about moving is the opportunity to get rid of some stuff, especially clothes which you haven’t worn or can’t wear any more. Why do we hang on to the old stuff? When my dad passed away, he left a shop and three outbuildings full of old sinks, toilets, light fixtures and pieces of wood and metal. He wouldn’t throw anything away. Guess what? Somebody has to, eventually.

In today’s verse, Paul tells us to “rid yourselves of the old self.” The verb here means to renounce, lay aside. In other words, take it off and don’t put it back on. That “old self” mentioned there is not talking about our personality or body. He is talking about that manner of life we lived before Christ. Don’t revert to your old ways. You have something new now. Don’t go back!

APPLICATION

The same verb is used several other times in the New Testament, almost always talking about getting rid of the bad stuff. Look over in Colossians 3:8 where Paul said, “But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth.” How about that verse that is so often quoted from Hebrews 12:1? “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

What are you still hanging on to that you need to let go? I am not talking about clothes or books. I am talking about habits or sins. I was talking to a guy recently who wants to get rid of his nicotine habit. He stopped smoking but is still using nicotine patches. He knows it is not good for him. He is asking the Lord to take away that addiction. Praise the Lord.

Can I give you some advice? If you have something (and we all do) that you need to lay aside, put it out of your reach. Don’t leave it laying somewhere that is easily accessible. If it’s around, you will more easily stumble. Throw it away. Dispose of it. Put it out of reach. And God will give you the strength and fortitude to live without it. I promise He is able.

Thank You, Father, for delivering me from those things that so easily entangle me.

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Bible, God's Will, Hearing, Learning, Listening, Scripture

HEARING AND LEARNING

EPHESIANS 4:21

“if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,” 

When I was in high school, I was a bit of a clown. I loved (still do) to make people laugh. The bad part of that was I did it during class, thus disrupting the classroom and irritating the teacher. I may have heard what the teacher said with my ears, but I sure didn’t learn anything. In order to learn anything, you must listen and be willing to be taught.

As a continuation of verse 20, Paul talks about what the Ephesians had been taught. The Greek word for “heard” is akouó. Interestingly, this word is most often used to hearing God’s voice in order to build faith. Don’t you just love that? And “taught” is the word didasko, which most often refers to the Scriptures. Paul is telling the Ephesians to listen to God and look at the Scriptures.

APPLICATION

So, the question has to be asked. What are you listening to and what are you being taught? Well Carl, I go to church every Sunday and listen to the preacher. That is NOT what I am talking about. Did you know that we only retain about 5% of the information we hear from a lecture or a sermon. I am talking about hearing God speak to your heart. I am talking about digging in and learning the Scriptures yourself.

In the ministry I am apart of (Every Man A Warrior), we teach men these two skills. I recently did a deep dive into hearing God’s voice. I read several books which pointed out in Scripture the ways in which God speaks to us. He speaks through prayer, through people, through circumstances and yes, through Scripture. But we have to be listening. We have to be tuned in.

EMAW also teaches men how to study God’s Word using the ABC method. A = Ask questions and record your thoughts and meditations. B = Find the best verse or word or phrase. Then record your best thoughts. C = Communicate your thoughts and insights back to God in prayer. Listening to the Word is good, but it is not enough.

Hearing and being taught! That is how we learn. Are you listening today? Are you willing to be taught today? God is our Master Teacher. He is speaking today. He wants you to hear and obey. Let’s do this together. Amen?

O Lord, I want to hear You today and obey whatever You tell me.

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Bible, Christ, Only, Scripture

THE CHRIST

EPHESIANS 4:20

“But you did not learn Christ in this way,” 

I have been studying Swahili for a while now, and there are no definite articles in that language. But definite articles are important in English grammar. If I want to point out a specific dog, I would say “the dog” instead of “a dog.” That implies I have one particular dog in mind. Okay, let’s look at today’s verse and you will see why I bring this up.

Paul points the Ephesians back to their day of salvation when he says, “you did not learn Christ in this way.” The verb “learn” is in the Aorist tense which points back to a specific moment. When they learned Christ at salvation, they were taught to leave the old behind (the things he had just mentioned in verse 17-19) and to walk with Christ in a new way. You don’t see the definite article in our translation, which I think is sad. The Greek says ton Christon. Ton is the definite article which points to Jesus being The Christ.

APPLICATION

Maybe Ellicott’s Commentary can tell us more about this verse. “‘To learn the Christ’ is to enter into the true meaning of His office as the Anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, or, in one word, as the Mediator, in whom we as Christians escape from the guilt and bondage of the sins described above. Such learning—like the ‘knowing’ of 2 Corinthians 5:14—is not ‘after the flesh,’ by the mere hearing of the ear, but ‘after the Spirit,’ writing Christ upon the heart.”

When Paul uses the definite article in today’s verse, it was purposeful. These Ephesian believers lived in a pagan society where there were numerous gods the people worshipped. None of them were real, but they still worshipped them. Paul says “the Christ” to point out to them that there was only one, true Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let me ask you a question. Is Jesus The Christ to you? Is He number one, numero uno, the only One? He is, you know. Peter knew that when he said in Matthew 16:16, “‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” Today, make sure Jesus is the Christ to you. Follow only Him in whatever you do today.

I give You praise, O God, for giving us The Christ.

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