Put on Christ

Paul has spoken of the need to put off and put on, practical living in Christ Jesus, going along with v.22 and 24 where there is a putting off, and a putting on of the manner of Christ.

It isn’t enough to put off our old ways, they will come back. It is important that after we put off our old ways we put on Christ. That we stop living wrong and focus on living for Jesus.

Honesty v.25

Truth is one of the attributes of God, as such it should be a distinguishing factor in our lives if we are a new creation, made in the likeness of Christ.

Truth in our daily walks, how are we doing? What do you need prayer for? Don’t put on a fake smile and just say, everything is great!!

Forgiveness v.26, 31-32

Anger is an emotion that is looked down on more than any other…In itself anger is not evil

It usually comes out due to pain or frustration.

It generally puts us into motion; If there is evil, anger sets us to take steps against that evil.

When is anger okay?

Exodus 32:19 ESV

And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses’ anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.

The people who God just saved are turning to idolatry. Is this a time when anger would be justified?

Moses was the one with the authority to punish the evil, now the proper authority might be the police or the court.

Mark 3:1–5 ESV

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

Jesus was angry because rather than wanting to love and help people. The Pharisees are just looking for Jesus to break the man made laws, looking for a reason to destroy Him.

The emotion of anger isn’t wrong, what’s wrong is how we act on it.

When is anger not okay?

When it lasts through the night v.26

If we allow our anger to sit and smolder, it will turn into bitterness.

v.27- This is when we are giving the devil a foothold, a chance to take that anger and use if for something evil, a chance to destroy us with it

when it turns into bitterness v.31

This happens when we let is stew and fester.

How are we supposed to have the joy of the Lord, when we have hatred?

Salt water and fresh water can’t be in the same jug.

When it turns in to wrath v.31

Wrath: Thymos- Fury that subsides quickly

Anger: Orge- a feeling of intense anger that does not subside; often on an epic scale.

Unquenchable hatred that you need to take revenge.

Different than Be angry, that is parorismos- The state of being angry

James 1:19–20 ESV

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

When it turns into shouting v.31

When it gets to the point that you are at someones throat yelling at each other.

When it turns into you spreading rumors v.31

If you are angry to the point of telling things about someone that is destroying their reputation. That isn’t ok. Stop

Put on forgiveness v.32

Take of the dirty shirt of anger going to far, put on the forgiveness of Christ

You need to remember that without Jesus, you would be just as bad.

Because Jesus has forgiven you, you need to forgive them…Nothing they’ve done to me is worse than what I’ve done to Jesus.

If you cannot pray for God to bless them, and honestly hope that God blesses them…you haven’t forgiven them.

Honest Work v.28

Someone who stole, end it, you are now a child of God, this should not be named among you.

Put off stealing and Put on honest work

Not only do you no longer steal, now you desire to help others

Man was created to work. If we sit idle, it isn’t good for us to sit around being idle.

Edification v.29

What should believers speech be like? I’ve been asked, is it right for Christians to swear.

Luke 6:45 ESV

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Based on eph 29 no, it is not okay for believers to swear or use foul language or language intended to tear others down. But looking at Luke my question is, why would you want to?

If our hearts have been changed, why is there evil coming out of your mouth? While we are still in this body of sin, we will still make mistakes…but are you striving to reflect the glory of God? Don’t you want people to meet the same Jesus that you have met? Why do you live like them?

Don’t grieve God v.30

This verse indicates that poor treatment of others, that continuing in your old ways is essentially denying or resisting God’s indwelling presence.

The purpose isn’t to try to earn the favor or God or work our way into heaven, it is out of a love we have for the father.

Examine your life against this list, are you putting off the old and putting on the new?

This will not earn favor with God, this is not how we acquire salvation. Salvation is only through Jesus Christ. If He is working in your life, changing your heart, these