The Transformed Life: Walking Like Christ (Part 2)

Ephesians 4:25–32 CSB

Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the devil an opportunity. Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

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Sermon Title: The Transformed Life: Walking Like Christ (Part 2)

Series: Ephesians: Growing in Christ Text: Ephesians 4:25-32 Main Point: A New Man Walks Like Christ, With Renewed Lifestyle.

Introduction

Last week we discussed Paul’s description of the foundation of a transformed life: knowing and following Christ. This begins with the work of the Holy Spirit, who opens our eyes to the truth of the gospel, freeing us from darkness and shaping our hearts to know and reflect Christ.

Discipleship then calls us to three steps: taking off the old self, which is corrupted by sin; being renewed in our minds to align with God’s will; and putting on the new self, created in Christ’s righteousness and holiness.

Transition: This transformation is not just intellectual but deeply practical, changing how we think, live, and influence others. This sets the stage for Paul's practical guidance in Ephesians 4:25-32 on how a renewed life is lived out in daily relationships and actions.

Disciples who Know Christ, Act like Christ.

The call to a renewed lifestyle is a call to reflect Christ, not the devil.

Living in lies, anger, theft, or harmful speech mirrors Satan, the father of lies, the dragon of destruction, and the thief who seeks to kill and destroy.

Walk In Truth: Lying—Truthfulness (4:25)

Lying:

A deviation or perversion of the truth. To lie is to walk apart from the truth, to live like the world, which is a reflection of satan the father of lies.

John 8:44–45 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.”

We live the truth, bound together by truth:

Christ the source of all truth, and the founder of the church, therefore the Truth is the Foundation of all holiness, righteousness, and unity.

Ephesians 4:21 “as the truth is in Jesus”

We are not just an organization founded on truth, but an organism tightly bound together by truth, a body woven and knit together by the truth of christ.

We are called to live according to the truth, in our words and deeds, and in all our relationships. Lies and falsehood sever the bonds of peace, and cause great harm to the body.

Truth always sets us free , allowing us to live in peace & unity, striving together towards one goal, trusting one another as members of one body in Christ.

“Chrysostom wisely asks if the eye sees a serpent does it lie to the foot? Or if the nose smells a deadly drug will it lie to the mouth? Or if the tongue tastes something bitter will it lie to the stomach” (E:EC)

Walk in Gentleness: Uncontrolled anger—Controlled anger (4:26–27)

Be Angry: Anger while it can lead to sin is not always a sin. the word can be used to describe God’s anger so it is not intrinsically evil. Sin, injustice, watching a fellow believer be wronged, etc. these things can lead to a rightful frustration.

Don’t Sin: To miss the mark, in this context it is a conscious or deliberate false step not a mistake, it is a sin against God and or man. The sin is not being angry, but rather letting anger fester, sitting hot and unreconciled, available for use by the devil. Sinful anger is like a fire that is never put out, it leads to devastating loss.

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down: Giving the idea of a festering anger, a nagging and provoking irritant, stoking the fire in order for it to remain lit. Prolonged and bottled anger always leads to explosive anger at the wrong time and towards the wrong people.

Don’t Give The Devil A opportunity: prolonged anger gives opportunity for distorting and twisting the truth, it gives opportunity for the father of lies to make much of what could be small misunderstandings.

Anger should always be given opportunity for reconciliation and if that cannot happen, we should forgive on our own and let God’s wrath/vengeance have it’s way.

Romans 12:19 “Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”

James 1:20 “for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”

Walk In Generosity: Walking In Stealing—Hard work/Generosity (4:28)

[The Call is to Not to have idle hands that take, but hard working hands that give]

The purpose of theft is for selfish gain with minimal effort. even though many thieves may have been those without work or opportunity to feed their families, many stole for their own pleasure (to gain much with little effort). Their intention may have been to harm others as well.

The call for a believer is a call to both work and generosity. To no longer live an idle life but to contribute to the kingdom and to society.

Mankind was not created for idleness but to work, although sin has paired work with toil and weariness, we are still called to work for the good of the kingdom, for others, and for God’s glory, just as our savior worked and labored for our good, and his glory.

Generosity is the expected outcome of hard work, as opposed to self-indulgence and stingy. Wealth is not given for the benefit of one, but many. What believers earn in hard work they ought to share with those who are in need. Generosity or stewardship is not hoarding and it is not reckless giving, it is rather seeing needs, especially amongst fellow believers, and meeting them out of the abundance that God has given.

Luke 3:11 “He replied to them, “The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same.””

Walk In Edification: Filthy talk—Edifying talk (4:29–30)

Paul calls for “all words” that flow form the mouth of a believer to build up those in need. Words are like building material, you either use rotten wood or wood that is strong and meant to last.

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Foul Language:

that which is rotten, worthless, putrid, flippant, and harmful to those who speak and hear it. possible references are to rotten wood, withered flowers, bad fruit, and rancid fish.

A word that is evil and causes great harm to those who might hear it. Also, words spoken with flippancy and without intention offer nothing to the speaker or hearer.

These words do not aid in spiritual growth but impede it and cause grief to the Spirit of God. He is the great comforter and his work is that of spiritual growth, and foul language works against his great work in the church and in the world today.

Building Language:

that which builds the kingdom of God by building up others in exhortation, correction, encouragement, etc. words that give grace, or enable others to continue on living for Christ or call others to begin to walk with him.

This is not meant to be an abundance of encouraging words, or words twisted with flattery, but rather a truthful, well thought, and timely word meeting a specific need in someones life.

Walk In Grace: Bitter & Abusive hearts — Tender & Forgiving hearts (4:31-32)

Bitterness:

Sharp/harsh words or responses that leave a bitter taste in the mouth of the other party. One can also have an attitude or demeanor of bitterness, contrary to the Spirit that exists in them as new creations.

Anger & Wrath:

Intense anger that has not been contained or extinguished but continues to burn hotter with time. Leads to harsher words, actions, and conditions.

Shouting & Slander:

A clamor or a loud speech with abusive intention using lies to accomplish defamation of others reputation or character, evil in general, or harmful intentions. Shouting often involves unwholesome or filthy language intended to curse and not bless.

Malice:

Evil and Abusive intentions stemming from hateful emotions, words, actions shown towards another individual or group of people. Malice is the natural outcome of all evil.

Be Kind, Compassionate, & Gracious/Forgiving:

Kind is to be soft and mild, pleasant and benevolent to others. It is a spiritual fruit possible because of the sealing and indwelling of the Spirit of God.

Compassionate is to be tender-hearted towards those in need or those who have wronged you intentionally or unintentionally.

Graciousness & Forgiveness are virtues that characterize the compassionate, because they have been forgiven much by God they also forgive others. they have been shown grace and so they extend that same graciousness to those in need of grace. These are opposites of all the vices listed before.

Conclusion

Summary: A renewed lifestyle reflects Christ through truth, gentleness, generosity, edification, and grace.

Challenge: What areas of your life need to change? What old habits do you need to put off to walk in newness?

Encouragement: Christ empowers us to live this transformed life through His Spirit. pray that the Spirit would help you grow in these areas of life, helping you to live a renewed lifestyle, walking like Christ.

Closing Prayer

Ask God to transform hearts, empower obedience, and help us live as renewed creations for His glory.