Monthly Archives: August 2024

Bible, Callous, Greed, Hard, Immorality, Impurity, Scripture

CALLOUS

EPHESIANS 4:19

“and they, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecent behavior for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.” 

My dad had calloused hands when I was growing up. He worked hard, usually a full-time job and at least one part-time as well. Those part-time jobs gave him the callouses. He painted houses for over twenty-five years after he finished his full-time job. He got those callouses from repeated actions with his hands and fingers holding those brushes and rollers. Over and over until the skin became hard. Callouses don’t happen overnight.

Paul uses the Greek word apalgeó, which literally means away from pain. This word is only used right here in the New Testament. It is translated as “callous” here. Paul is saying these unbelievers have deadened themselves to any kind of correction. They have practiced this “indecent behavior” for so long that no one can persuade them to change. Only God can do that. Paul is warning them to not follow their behavior.

APPLICATION

If there was ever a verse we can practice daily, it is this one. We need to avoid the things in our lives that can lead to this callousness towards sin. We see it all around us today. Who would have thought we would see the day when killing babies in the womb was seen as a woman’s choice. Wow! Now, don’t worry. I am not going to get on my soap box about that. I just use it as an example of callousness.

What are these behaviors Paul is warning us about? “Indecent behavior” is defined as “outrageous conduct, conduct shocking to public decency” (Strong’s Concordance). “Impurity” means uncleanness of a ritual type (perhaps referring to their idol worship). And I think we all know what “greediness” means, right?

We’ll see later in Ephesians 5:3, “for among you there should not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or impurity or any kind of greed, for these are improper for God’s holy people.” I think we can agree that these are behaviors we should all avoid. Repeated exposure to such things deadens are response. We get dull to correction and then those callouses build. Don’t let that happen.

Father, use Your tenderizing Holy Spirit in my heart to keep it sensitive to correction.

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Bible, Calloused, Darkness, Hard, Heart, Ignorant, Scripture

HARD HEARTED

EPHESIANS 4:18

“being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;” 

Unfortunately, I have known a few hard hearted people in my life. They did not care what anyone thought of them. They treated people like dirt. They spurned their nose at God or anything that was Christian. Some of those people I have seen have a change in heart. Others are still living a miserable, sad life of hate and animosity towards others.

Paul uses a word here in verse 18 for “hardness” that is only used in two other places. We’ll see those in a minute. The Greek word is pórósis which means “a covering with a callous, fig. blindness” (Strong’s Concordance). Paul is still warning the Ephesians about the unbelievers that are around them and how they live their lives. He is saying, “Don’t be like them. Their minds are darkened. They are ignorant. They are hard hearted.”

APPLICATION

One commentator said this about being hard hearted, “A man who has a blind and hard heart sees no beauty in truth, and feels not its force, and is insensible to all its appeals.” What a sad picture. In Mark 3:5 we find the same word being used my Mark when he describes Jesus’ healing of the man with the withered hand. “After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He *said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.” The religious leaders did not want this man healed because it was the Sabbath. How cold!

Paul uses pórósis again over in Romans 11:25 describing what happened to Israel. “For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;” The hearts of the Jews were hardened against Christ in order for the gospel message to be delivered to the Gentile world. They had had their opportunity, which they spurned.

How hard is your heart? Do you see others in need and turn away? We can harden our hearts without even realizing it sometimes. We can become so desensitized to the needs around us that we are blinded. We become ignorant of our surroundings. Open your eyes and hearts today and see what the Lord is trying to show you.

Father, keep my heart soft and supple, so I can be used by You.

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Battles, Bible, Futility, Mind, Scripture, Useless, Walking

FUTILITY

EPHESIANS 4:17

“So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, that you are to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their minds,”

What exactly does “futility” mean? Well, according to the dictionary it means “pointlessness or uselessness.” Let me give you an example. It is futility to try to stop the ocean waves with a sandcastle. You can build as big of a one you like, but the crashing waves will bring it down and claim it once again to the ocean. It is useless. It is pointless. Why even try?

Paul is pointing out the unbelieving Gentiles, from which these Ephesian believers came. He is exhorting them to stop doing the things they used to do before coming to Christ. Remember, they all probably came out of pagan worship. Paul says that way of thinking is pointless and useless. It is futility. Pretty bold words, don’t you think?

APPLICATION

Paul uses this word in Romans 8:20 when he writes, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope.” Even the perfect creation God created fell to the futility of man when he ate of that fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Creation will never be perfect again until Jesus brings a new heaven and a new earth.

Then Peter uses that word in 2 Peter 2:18. “For, while speaking out arrogant words of no value they entice by fleshly desires, by indecent behavior, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error,” You see, this kind of thinking, these words are of no value. They are pointless and useless. Why do we waste so much time trying to do things on our own? God has the answer if we will just turn to Him.

Paul is telling us in today’s verse to walk with Christ, not with the world. Stop emulating and embracing all these things. They are futile. Nothing that this world emphasizes will draw you closer to Jesus. Rely on His Word. Come to Him in prayer. Get your mind right each day so you can walk with purpose, serving the One who gave you life.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me a new mind when I came to Jesus.

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Allies, Alone, Battles, Bible, Completeness, Scripture, Together, Unity

WE CAN DO MORE TOGETHER

EPHESIANS 4:16

“from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”

When I was in college I played a little intramural sports. I love football, so the thought of playing some flag football seemed harmless enough. However, near the end of the season, during one of the games I made a diving leap (I was much younger back then, lol) to grab the flag of the passing runner. I missed and landed with my right arm outstretched. It hurt, but I kept playing. By the next morning, I could not even raise my arm to wash my hair. After visiting the college infirmary, I found out I had separated my shoulder. My point – my arm could not work separated from my body.

In today’s verse, Paul uses a word that he used earlier back in chapter 2, verse 21. These are the only two places this word is used in the New Testament. The word is sunarmologeó and means to be joined closely with something. Remember, Paul is speaking about the body of Christ and the importance of each member of that body. This analogy of our human body described in this verse is so perfect to paint the picture Paul was trying to portray.

APPLICATION

If you have read many of my blogs, you know I love to quote Albert Barnes, a theologian who ministered in the 1800’s. He describes this phrase this way. “The foot, for instance, is in its proper place. It should not be where the head or the hand is. The eye is in its proper place. It should not be in the knee or the heel. The mouth, the tongue, the teeth, the lungs, the heart, are in their proper places. No other places would answer the purpose so well. The brain is in its proper place. Anywhere else in the body, it would be subject to compressions and injuries which would soon destroy life.”

Paul goes on in today’s verse and says, “held together.” It is the word, sumbibazó, which means to unite or knit together. The body of Christ has a purpose which requires us to work together. I love how Paul uses this word in Colossians 2:2. “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love,” I think you get the picture.

It’s always easier to try to go the Lone Ranger route and just do it yourself. But we are expected as believers to work together to achieve the Lord’s purpose. The business world would call that synergy which is “the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.” We can accomplish more together.

Father, thank You for faithful brothers and sisters with whom I can work to achieve more for Your kingdom.

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Bible, Confrontation, Love, Peace, Scripture, Truth

SPEAK THE TRUTH, BUT…

EPHESIANS 4:15

“but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ,”

We all love to be told the truth, right? No one wants to be lied to. We would prefer that people tell us the truth, but some people like to be downright rude in doing that. That don’t care how much it hurts the other person, because they just “tell it like it is.” How does that mesh with today’s verse?

In verse 14 Paul has just told us to be careful and watch out for deceitful scheming. He continues that sentence by tell us to speak the truth in love. What did he mean by that? Don’t forget what Paul wrote in verses 11-14. He was talking about the body of Christ and how it is built up. Paul still has that thought on his mind. He wants us all to speak truth one to another but always in love.

APPLICATION

The phrase “speaking the truth” is actually one Greek word, used only twice in the New Testament. It is used here and over in Galatians 4:16. The word is alétheuó which can mean a “Spirit-led confrontation where it is vital to tell the truth so others can live in God’s reality rather than personal illusion.” (HELPS Word studies). In the Galatians passage it says, “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Paul was warning the Galatians in this passage about those who would lead them away from their faith.

But the key, for me, in today’s verse is the little phrase “in love.” Don’t just read that and move on. Let it soak in. The word used here is agape, which is God’s love. It’s a beneficial love, a sacrificial love. That changes everything. Paul is saying to speak the truth to a brother or sister but do it like God would. How many of us are guilty of speaking truth in our own way?

The next time you need to confront someone about their behavior or their words, do it in love, God’s love. As I close this blog, read 2 John 1:1-3. I believe John says it well. “1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth which remains in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”

Lord, help me to love in truth and speak truth in love. They go together because they are both of You.

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Bible, Deceit, Deception, Devil, Evil, Schemes, Scripture

DECEITFUL SCHEMING

EPHESIANS 4:14

“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;”

Raise your hand if you like being deceived. What? Nobody raised their hand? Me either! No one likes being deceived. We feel betrayed, lured into something we don’t want to do. In today’s cyber attacks, people are often deceived into clicking a link to something that looks innocent. It could be a video that appears to be from a friend but turns out to be a way for a hacker to gain access to your computer and hold you ransom in order to get money from you. It really is deceitful scheming.

In today’s verse, Paul warns us against falling for these types of schemes from people. They want to fool you into believing things that are contrary to the truth of God’s Word. The word translated “scheming” is methodeia. It’s a method used in organized evil-doing (well-crafted trickery). (HELPS Word studies). “Deceitful” is the word plane, which implies deviant behavior. It’s a departure from what God says is true; an error (deception) which results in wandering (roaming into sin). (HELPS Word studies).

APPLICATION

How do we guard ourselves from such attacks? I only know of one way – remain in the Word. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 2:3, “For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;” No! Our exhortation comes from truth – God’s truth. His Word will never deceive but will always lead us to more truth.

I had a conversation recently with a young man who had gotten involved with a “Christian” cult years ago. This cult was formed as a church and was led by a man who constantly defended himself from any accusation. The Gospel was not the primary focus of his “preaching” but rather just defending his actions. When this man and his wife left this church, they were told they would go to hell for leaving his church. That is not truth. That was deceitful scheming.

Who is this source of scheming? None other than the devil himself. Paul will tell us later in Ephesians 6:11 that we need to, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Paul also tells us in 2 Corinthians 2:11, as he is discussing the topic of forgiveness, “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

Beware of anything that does not point you to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Only His truth is trustworthy. Measure everything against His Word. Then you can be sure to walk in spirit and in truth. 

I am so thankful that Your Word is truth and can always be trusted.

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Abiding, Bible, Growth, Maturity, Measure, Scripture

OUR STATURE

EPHESIANS 4:13

“until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”

I bet a lot of you had a door frame somewhere in your house where your parents recorded yours and your siblings’ (if you had any) heights as you grew. I know some people who actually removed that part of the door frame when they moved to maintain that history. Seeing your gain in height each year was kind of cool. It’s too bad we don’t have the same kind of measuring rod for our spiritual growth. Oh wait, we do!

In today’s verse, Paul gives us that measuring rod. We are measured against the “stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Of course, Paul wasn’t referring to Christ’s physical stature. He was pointing us towards His spiritual maturity, which is perfect. He was telling the Ephesians and is telling us that our goal in our spiritual life is to be more like Jesus. That’s a pretty lofty goal, but we should always aim high.

APPLICATION

This same Greek word for “stature” is used in John 9 when the blind man was healed by Jesus. Remember when the Pharisees questioned his parents about his blindness and how he was healed they told them to ask their son because “he is of age.” That is the same word. Their son was mature. He was a grown man. They were not referring to his spiritual growth. After all, he had just been introduced to Jesus. He knew Jesus was a miracle worker, but he had so much more to learn.

Have you ever thought about all those people whom Jesus healed or raised? We only know of the results surrounding Mary Magdalene and Lazarus. All the others could have been healed miraculously and never grown spiritually. I guess we’ll find out one day in heaven. I want to meet that leper he healed, if he is there. I want to meet the slave of the Centurion who was healed, if they are there. I want to meet that thief on the cross. I know he’ll be there.

The length of our physical life has nothing to do with our spiritual growth. There are a lot of old people who are still on the bottle spiritually, and there are a lot of teenagers who are chewing on solid food and are discipling others. What is your stature in Christ? How do you measure up. If Jesus put you up against the door frame to measure you spiritually, would you have grown since last year?

God, I want to grow and be more like you each and every day.

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Bible, Body, Equipping, Kingdom, Scripture, Training

PROPER EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING

EPHESIANS 4:12

“for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ;”

To do any job properly and well, you need the proper equipment and training. You wouldn’t send a lumberjack into the woods to cut down trees without a sharp ax or chainsaw and the knowledge of how to use those tools. You definitely would not send a soldier into war without the necessary weapons to protect himself and others and the training to handle those weapons safely and effectively. Equipping and training people for the task they are assigned is essential. Paul discusses that today.

Verse 12 begins with “for the equipping of the saints.” The Greek word translated “equipping” is katartismos. It is only used right here in this verse. HELPS Word studies defines the word this way, “exact adjustment which describes how (enables) the individual parts to work together in correct order.” That’s more than just equipping. It’s making sure the equipping is a good fit and works with the other parts well.

APPLICATION

This definition in HELPS makes sense when you look at the rest of verse 12. It reads, “for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.” That’s why you need to make sure the equipment fits and works well. A saint is not alone in this effort. Every saint is connected to every other saint. If we are not working well together, the “machinery” of the body of Christ is not all it can be.

I have told this story before, but it fits well here. There was the old stone chapel in the hills of Scotland that had no electricity. The only way it had light for evening services was by the lanterns each member of the church brought with them. Every member knew that if their light was not present for the service, the chapel would be less bright. Their light was needed.

Listen, beloved, our equipping by the Lord of our gifts and skills is done so that we can be a part of something bigger. It is not about us. It is all about the body of Christ. We are equipped to help others. We are trained by the Holy Spirit to build up His kingdom. So, put it out there. Be bold. Let God use you in whatever way He chooses. Your light is needed.

Lord, I praise You that You have given me gifts to give to others.

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Bible, Blessing, Body, Church, Gifts, Purpose, Scripture

THE GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING

EPHESIANS 4:11

“And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers,”

Don’t you like getting gifts? I sure do. I am not a materialistic kind of guy, but when someone gifts me, I am happy to accept. Opening that package is exciting. Depending on the size of the box (like the size of a new pickup, lol), it is even more exciting. Why would God treat us any differently? He wants us to receive the gifts He gives with a cheerful heart.

In today’s verse, Paul begins a sentence that runs through verse 13. He is telling the Ephesians how God has given as gifts to the church certain roles. It is interesting he says here “He gave” which literally means to give a gift. Then Paul begins to name these gifts. I am not going to dissect each of these “gifts.” You need to do a little deep dive yourself if you want to know more. But I do want to show you where else Paul talks about this very thing.

APPLICATION

In 1 Corinthians 12:28 we see Paul talking about these offices. Notice, however, the different verb he uses – “appointed.” This passage is directed to those who have received these gifts.  “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues.” The addition or deletion of certain roles does not mean Paul necessarily valued one over the other. Every part of the body of Christ is valuable and necessary for the kingdom work.

The third time we see Paul talk about these gifts is in Romans 12:6-8 “6 However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one’s faith; 7 if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching; 8 or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

The question I want to ask you today is what is your gift? How has God gifted you? As a believer, God has saved you for a purpose. He wants to use you as a part of His body. You have a role to play. You may not be a pastor or teacher or an evangelist, but in some unique way God has gifted you. If you aren’t sure what that is, ask Him. He’ll be glad to tell you.

Father, thank You for my gifts of administration and teaching. These give me pleasure as I exercise them in serving You.

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Abundance, Bible, Father, Filled, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Scripture, Whole

ALL FILLED UP

EPHESIANS 4:10

“He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)”

Have you ever experienced such joy and happiness that you thought you were going to burst? Maybe you were about to see a close friend whom you haven’t seen in years. Perhaps a loved one who has been away is coming home. Maybe, it’s the birth of a grandchild (I can relate to that one right now). Whatever the circumstance, you cannot really put it in words.

Well, Paul kind of feels that way in today’s verse. As he is describing our Lord Jesus and how He came to earth (descended) and went back to heaven (ascended), he just finishes by saying “so that He might fill all things.” Jesus just completes everything. His glory fills the heavens. The angels, I am sure, rejoiced at His return. He is reunited with His Father in glory. Ellicott’s Commentary explains the phrase, “fill all things,” in this way. “But the words are too wide for any limitation. In heaven and earth, and the realms under the earth, His presence and sovereignty extends, by whatever means and over whatever beings He wills.”

APPLICATION

There’s an old Christian song entitled “Fill My Cup, Lord.” The chorus goes like this:

Fill my cup, Lord;
I lift it up Lord;
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

When Jesus fills us, we should “want no more,” amen? We are told we are filled with the Spirit when we come to Christ. Jesus fills us completely, not halfway. Just as He fills all things, He fills all things in us. When I stop and get fuel for my truck, I am tempted sometimes to just get a little. But, of course, that means I will just have to stop again soon. So, what do I do? I fill it up. It lasts longer. Unlike my truck, though, the Holy Spirit fills us completely and permanently. I wish my truck could be filled permanently.

So, why do so many Christians have to keep “going back to their spiritual filling station”? May I suggest something? It’s not about getting more of the Spirit. It’s more about shedding more of their flesh. Our flesh keeps us from enjoying the fulness of Christ in our lives. Our flesh clogs our fuel lines and makes us start sputtering. Is your life sputtering right now? Check your fuel line. Check your faith. Come before the Lord and pour out your heart to Him today.

Thank You, Lord, for filling my heart with Your Spirit. Help me open myself up completely to You.

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