Living In The Light

Introduction

As we begin this morning, let me ask you a question. How are we supposed to live? As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to live a life that is different from the world.

When we come to our passage today in Paul reminds us that we are to live differently.

Ephesians 4:17–19 NIV84

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

Not Like Gentiles

If we are not supposed to live like Gentiles (our former life) what is not to be seen in our lives?

—Futility of thinking

There are many ways people are futile in their thinking. They are void of any aim or goal in their life.

Spiritually mankind’s thinking is futile. They have no aim or goal spiritually in their life. Still others believe there are many ways to get to God, but Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Despite the fact that Jesus says this, mankind still insists on believing lies that they can come to God any way they accept. Mankind continues to wander aimlessly through life without godliness.

That’s why Paul says:

—Darkened in their understanding

When mankind wanders aimlessly, they grab into anything they can. The more they try to grab onto anything and everything that comes along. Their understanding becomes darkened

—Separated from the life of God

There are three reasons they are separated from God.

Because of their ignorance

Because of the hardening of their hearts.

They give themselves over to sensuality, to every kind of impurity, and continually lust for more.

Different because of Christ

Ephesians 4:20-

Ephesians 4:20–24 NIV84

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

—Put off your old self

The old self was corrupted by its deceitful desires.

—Put on the new self

The new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Putting Off the Old Self

Ephesians 4:25-

Ephesians 4:25–31 NIV84

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.

The big thing is that we need to live our lives in such a way that we speak truth—and truth becomes a center point of our life.

In your anger do not sin!

Anger is an emotion. It is not right or wrong. What we do with our anger determines whether or not it is right or wrong.

Do not let the sun go down while you’re still angry.

Paul tells us to make sure our anger doesn’t last or last. We need to resolve our anger quickly. Unresolved anger leads to bitterness.

The other problem is the longer we are anger the more of a foothold we give Satan.

Those who steal, must no longer steal. Instead the thief must work and do something useful with his own hands. The goal was to have something to share with others who are in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths.

The words we use should be helpful for building others up—according to their needs. Our words should benefit those who listen.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.

The word “and” connects the grieving of the Holy Spirit ties it to the unwholesome talk. We can grieve (cause pain) the Spirit of God by the things we say and the words that we use. Ultimately, grieving the Holy Spirit happens when we reject God’s priceless gift.

Get Rid of. . .

All bitterness—this is the opposite of kindness or sweetness. Bitterness harbors resentment, and keeps score of wrongs.

Rage—this often follows out of bitterness and is marked by uncontrolled passionate frustration and outbursts. Passion with restraint or control means the frustrations runs rampant and goes wherever it wants to go. It is basically anger that is out of control.

Anger—this is the third time anger is mentioned (the fourth time if you include rage). This is the same Greek word (orges) used in verse 16. It means inappropriate noisy, assertive, abuse. When God repeats things it is because He wants us to pay attention, because He is serious.

Brawling—this is clamor or arguing loudly.

Slander—these are words that hurt people.

Malice—these are bad feelings and are often the source of many of the other vices.

Instead Be. . .

Kind—a deep sincere compassion. So we are to have a kind attitude towards one another.

Tender-hearted—full of compassion, full of pity for the problem of others.

Forgiving each other—this is having a forgiving spirit. We forgive because we have been forgiven of much.

Be Imitators of God!

Today our “SO WHAT” is right here in Scripture. It is right here in God’s Word. No matter what, we are to be imitators of God!