FROM VICE TO VIRTUE

EPHESIANS 4:31-32

INTRODUCTION

When Paul is wriing, he gives us docrine first, duty second. Paul gives us doctrinal basis for the practiicality of the Christian life. In Ephesians, chapters 1-3 is the doctrinal portion of the letter and chapters 4-6 are the practical portions of the letter.

We do what we do because we are who we are. And in Ephesians chapters 1-3 Paul tells us who we are in Christ.

Our conduct is an outward expression and a reflection of our new life in Christ. We have been saved by God’s grace; we were dead in trespasses and sin and we have been quickened (made alive) given new life and now that life must find expression.

And to give us an understanding of the weight of our conduct Paul said in verse 30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit…” Do you consider that daily your life will either be to the glory of God or to the discredit of God? As a believer, you will portray something to this lost world.

Now Paul comes to verse 31 and there are a few other behaviors that need to be put away from us.

Putting off and putting on is the principle. We are putting off a state of being that leads to lying, anger, stealing, corrupt language, and grieving the Holy Spirit. We are to put on a state of being that leads to truthfullness, kindness, generosity, and sweet water from the well of our heart.

Paul has again here tells us to “put away” from us….and he lists those things that need to be put away.

PUT AWAY THESE BEHAVIORS (4:31)

Paul tells us to “Put away…” This phrase means “to be eliminated” or “taken away”. It is not that you put it away to bring it back out but rather you put away permanently…

Paul says “Let All” not just some but all be put away.

BITTERNESS: This is smoldering resentment that dwells deep in the heart of someone. It is bitterness that we are warned to not let it take root in our lives.

Bitterness is a spirit of irritability that keeps a person in perpetual animosity making him venomous.

Bitterness is a result of brooding over the wrong done to us. When we dwell on the wrong done to us bitterness will begin to take root. We pay close attention to the hurt and will continually bring it up so we don’t forget.

We remain bitter because we feel we have the right to be bitterness because of the wrong done to us.

WRATH AND ANGER: Anger is an internal smoldering. Anger is often there but often not seen. It is just burning inside someone. Wrath is outrage; wrath is the expression of anger. Anger is what you are feeling inside and wrath is what is seen when that anger erupts.

CLAMOUR: A violent outburst. It is another manifestation of anger. But is it seen in two people shouting at each other.

SLANDER (EVIL SPEAKING): This is where we get our word blahphemy and it is “the ongoing defamation of someone that comes from a bitter heart.”

ALL MALICE: This is wishing evil or wishing something bad upon someone. And Paul says to “let all these things be put away from you with all malice.” Don’t even let wishing evil upon someone remain.

As believers, Paul admonishes us to “put away” these things. The phrase “put away” means to bear away that which has been raised.

When these things are identifed in us we need to bear them away.

PUT ON THESE BEHAVIORS (4:32)

Paul, having told us to put away bitterness…now we are to “be” Kind, tenderhearted, forgiving.

“Be” literaly “To Become” Kindness, tenderheartedness, forgiving are not just things we do, they are what we are to become. Be kind because you are kind; be tenderhearted because you are tenderhearted, and be forgiving because you are forgiving.

What are these characteristics that we are to put on?

KINDNESS: Gently Pleasant; To be gracious. This is the opposite of being harsh, hard, or bitter. This word has in its origin “to be useful” or “to be helpful”. When we are caring, benevolent, helping others we are exhibiting what Paul means by being kind.

TENDERHEARTED: This carries the ides of compassion. To be “tenderhearted” is to have a compassionate feeling toward the weaknesses and miseries of others. When Jesus would see the multitude, He would see them as sheep without a shepherd and He would be moved with compassion. He became toward them tenderhearted. And it would drive Him to do something about the situation.

FORGIVING: To exhibit grace to the offender. You are the offened and you are extending and exhibiting grace to the offender.

Vaughn: “Forgiving” is the rendering of a word of unusually rich content. Being built on the same root as the word for “grace,” it first means “to give freely,” then “to pardon” or “forgive.”

How can I exhibit forgiveness toward the offender? Forgiving “even as God in Christ has forgiven you.” How did God forgive us? He did so through the finished word of Christ on the cross and He did so freely not holding one sin to our account. He can let the offender go free because someone else (Christ) paid the penalty for our offense.

We don’t forgive and forget. But we can forgive and chosse not to remember. “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

CONCLUSION:

Are you angry toward someone? Has that anger turned to bitterness? Is that bitterness taking root in your life?

You have allowed that anger to take you over. God can and will forgive you, cleanse you and make you Kind, tenderhearted and forgivning.

You say well I have failed. We all have.

“let me tell you about my friend on whom I depend, He’s the best friend I ever knew; with all my heart I want to serve Him with all my heart I want to please Him, do what He wants me to do; But even at my best when I’m put to the test there are times when I let Him down; but the wonder of it all, He loves me when I fall, He loves me just as I am.

And though I failed the Lord He has never failed me.