Ephesians 4:25-32 Practical Application for the New Self

Review

Paul’s Purpose in 1st Three Chapters:

God’s Greatness, Power and Love: Throughout this letter Paul has pointed the thoughts of the Ephesians to the greatness, power and love of God.

Full & Correct Understanding of Salvation: All of the truth that Paul has set forth in these first three chapters was meant to give the Ephesians a correct understanding of their salvation and their standing in the church.

The first three chapters should have led us to a deeper understanding of our salvation, of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Those truths that we covered are a great comfort and encouragement and should lead us to stand in awe of God, to praise Him for Who He is and thank Him for what he has done.

Chapter 4

Paul transitioned from teaching the great truths of God and Salvation to the admonition to live in a way that is worthy of the calling with which the Ephesians had been called. Paul called them to work toward unity in the Church.

Unity based upon foundational attitudes of:

humility; gentleness; patience; love

Unity based upon truths of:

one body; one Spirit; one hope; one Lord; one Faith; one baptism; one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Unity that is not Uniformity:

Although all believers were one in Christ, not all believers had the same roles in the Church. We saw that just briefly last week in verses 7-10.

Unity Achieved through Diversity of Leadership

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers

Unity Through Maturity

Leaders equip the Church for Ministry

Church is Strengthened in Ministry and Unity

Church is protected and rejects false teaching, holding firm to the truth.

Church speaks truths to each other in Love

Foundations of a Worthy Walk include:

a right attitude

a right goal (unity)

a right understanding of that unity. (unity through diversity)

Put off the Old

Renew the Mind

Put On the New

He has called the Ephesians to lay aside the old and to put on the new man as they are renewed in the Spirit of their mind. He instructed them not to live like the world around them, but to live differently, because, in the likeness of God, they had been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

And from that general exhortation to live differently, Paul now gives direct and practical instructions for how they are to interact in their daily lives. Paul will call them to lay aside one behavior and replace it, that is, put on the new self by putting on the new behavior. And in each case Paul will give a reason for such behavior.

Introduction

As we study our text tonight we will see that this idea of laying aside the old self and putting on the new self affects every aspect of our life. Paul will give:

practical application in relation to

Our Mind (vs 25-27),

Our Hands (vs 28),

Our Mouth (vs 29-30)

Our Heart (vs 31-32).

Ephesians 4:25–32 NASB95

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Context of the passage:

Worthy Walk:

Having expressed the great truths of God and Salvation that led Paul to both Prayer for the Ephesians and Praise to God, he began chapter 4 by calling the Ephesians to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which they have been called.

Foundation of Right Attitude, Understanding of Truth:

And throughout this chapter Paul has made it clear that the worthy walk begins within, with a right attitude and and a right understanding of truth.

He has made it clear that we are not to be deceived from the outside by the trickery of men nor are we to be deceived from the inside by the lusts of our flesh. Instead of being deceived our minds are renewed with the truth so that we will live differently than we did before.

Practical Application: Our Mind vs 25-27

Ephesians 4:25 NASB95

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

Falsehood to Truthfulness

Paul once again brings up the issue of truth and in doing so he begins to make application of what it means to lay aside the old self and put on the new self.

Culture of the day: Lying

In the Gentile culture of that day lying was a normal part of life. And because of that, it was a normal part of the Ephesians lives before they were saved. But since it was a norm of the world and not of Christ, Paul admonishes the Ephesians to put away falsehood.

Christian Culture: Speak Truth

Instead they were to speak truth. Paul said the same virtually the same thing back in verse 15.

Ephesians 4:15: Speak truthful doctrines:

Ephesians 4:15 NASB95

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

Paul’s call to speak truth there is in contrast to the deceitful doctrines, the trickery of men. The Ephesians were to speak truth, especially the leaders, to one another so that they would grow up into Christ.

Ephesians 4:25: Same Truth, Slightly Different Angle

Same Truth, Slightly Different Angle: It was not enough just to speak truthfully with regard to doctrine, but in all of their dealings with one another they were to be truthful.

Speak Truth…Neighbors:

Ask: Who are the Neighbors that Paul is referring to here?

Neighbors = Christians

They were to lay aside falsehood and speak truth. They were to put away deceit of every kind in their dealings with their neighbor. Now, while the term “neighbor” can refer to anyone who is close to us, believer or unbeliever, from the context it is clear that Paul is speaking of other Christians.

Two Reasons:

1. Members One of Another: The most obvious reason is that Paul continues and says at the end of the verse, “for we are members one of another.” Here Paul is making reference to the church body. We are all members of Christ’s body, intimately connected to one another and therefore we are not to deal falsely with each other but are to speak truth.

2. Quoting Zechariah 8:16: The other reason that it is clear that Paul is calling us to deal truthfully with one another in the church is that Paul is quoting from Zechariah 8:16.

The beginning of that verse says, “These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another;”

In that passage the Israelites were being instructed how they were live together as the people of God. They were to speak truth to one another.

So Paul is calling for the Ephesians, members not of Israel, but members of the Kingdom of God, to deal with one another truthfully. To lay aside their old way of life and to be like Christ who is truth.

Application for Today:

Just as relevant today. We are not to deceive those in the body of Christ whether that is through directly stating things that are untrue, leaving out part of the truth so as to deceive or whatever form falsehood might take.

Today’s Culture: For just as in Paul’s day, we live in a culture that condones and even expects people to lie. We see it in the youth and we see it in adults. Kids lie at school to their teachers and their peers. They lie to their parents and their siblings. Adults lie in the workplace and to one another in various forms and in various ways. And no matter what form falsehood takes, if it seeks to deceive, it is wrong.

As believers we are one body, members of one another and we must work together in truth if we are to be lights for the world, if we are to bring praise, honor and glory to God.

Unrighteous to Righteous Anger

Ephesians 4:26 NASB95

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Here the change from the Old self to the New self is not as obvious but certainly is there.

For the old self, being angry was accompanied by sin. But if the Ephesians were to be angry, they were not to allow that anger to turn into sin.

Anger, in itself, is Not Wrong

Righteous Anger:

Now, we must notice that Paul does not teach that all anger is wrong. There is a righteous anger which is not accompanied by sin.

Jesus was Angry: That is obvious from the fact the Scriptures speak of Jesus being angry (Mark 3:5 for example).

But we are not Jesus, so there is a danger that our righteous anger could be turned into unrighteous anger.

Danger of Unrighteous Anger:

“Do not let the sun go down on your anger...”

Do not dwell on Anger: They were not to continue to dwell on their anger for an extended period of time.

Devil’s influence toward sin:

Ephesians 4:27 NASB95

and do not give the devil an opportunity.

The reason that they were not to sin in their anger, the reason that they were not to hold onto their anger overnight is found in verse 27. Paul says, “And do not give the devil an opportunity.”

As we hold onto anger and dwell on it, that gives an opportunity for the devil to influence us toward sin.

Charles Hodge states, “Anger, when cherished, gives the tempter great power over us, as it furnishes a motive to yield to his evil suggestions.”

Application for Today:

And once again the application for our lives today is obvious. But it is also a difficult truth to put into practice. Let’s be honest, people makes us angry, even our brothers and sisters in Christ.

And at times we are right to be angry. If someone is in sin and offending our holy God it is right to be angry about that.

But we must be careful and not allow the devil the opportunity to cause that righteous anger to turn into self-righteousness and bitterness and a desire for revenge.

Paul teaches in Romans 12:17-19 that we are not to pay back evil for evil, that we are not to take our own revenge, that we are to be at peace with all men.

We can not do that if we dwell on our anger and give the devil an opportunity.

Practical Application: Our Hands vs 28

Ephesians 4:28 NASB95

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

Stealing to Working

Here Paul calls those who were in the habit of stealing as unbelievers to stop stealing and instead to labour.

Why did Paul teach this? Were there people in the church stealing, or going back to the last point, lying to one another?

Danger of falling back into old habits:

Some would say no, they had been converted so they were no longer liars or thieves. But that fact that Paul included this teaching in the letter makes it clear that at the very least there was a danger of falling back into these sinful ways of life.

Also - they were new Christians, the Christian church was new, so they were all learning what it meant to be a child of God, a member of the Kingdom...

Using Hands for Good, not Evil

And so, for the believer who was accustomed to stealing or making a living dishonestly, they were to work with their own hands instead. They were to do that which was good even if it meant hard work. In doing so, they would be able to provide for themselves and their families.

Working for Others: Selfishness to Selflessness

“Share with those who have need”

But the motivation, the reason that Paul gives for honest labor is not so that they could provide for themselves. He who steals must instead work hard, “so that he will have something to share with one who has need.” The goal in this honest labor was not only to provide for themselves, but also to be able to help those in need.

Application for Today:

How should we apply this in our own lives?

What: Believers should be engaged in honest work.

Why: But the greater application is found in the reason or motivation for earning a living.

Our culture tells us over and over that we are to look out for number one.

Kids are to go to college so that they can get a good job and have more than the their parents had. But the goal should never be to enrich ourselves.

Our goal in increasing our wealth is that we might be able to share with the one who is in need. That is absolutely counter-cultural and yet that is one aspect of the believer’s worthy walk.

Of course, that does not mean that it is wrong for someone to be wealthy. The Scriptures make no such claim. Listen to what Paul teaches Timothy to instruct those who are rich.

1 Timothy 6:17–19 NASB95

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

Whether we have little or have much, whether we are rich or poor our hope is to be in God and not money. And whether we are rich or poor, we are to work hard so that we will be able to share with those who are in need.

Practical Application: Our Mouth vs 29-30

Ephesians 4:29 NASB95

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Evil Speech to Gracious Speech

Here Paul speaks of laying aside “unwholesome speech and replacing it with good and edifying speech.”

Unwholesome speech:

Speech that is corrupt, that tears others down.

Edifying Speech:

Speech that builds others up. The words that come from the mouth of the believer are to be the exact opposite, they are to be good and are to edify, to build up.

Timely Speech:

Speech that is appropriate for the situation. Believers are to speak truth to one another that is appropriate to the situation at hand, or as Paul states it here, “according to the need of the moment.”

Gracious Speech:

Speech that benefits others spiritualy. Here the motivation or reason for the Ephesians to speak this way is “so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

The words of the Christian should be a means of God’s grace flowing to others. Those who we speak to should be benefit spiritually from what we say.

Not Grievous Speech

Ephesians 4:30 NASB95

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Paul continues in verse 30 and gives an additional reason to put into practice not only edifying speech but all that we have covered this morning.

Indwelling Spirit: Every believer has the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Paul said in Ephesians 1:13-14 that every believer has been “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise who was given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”

Offense to the Spirit: To live like the Old Self and not like the New Self is an offense to the Holy Spirit who dwells in every believer, it grieves Him.

Motivation: “...sealed for the say of redemption”

The day of redemption does not refer to initial salvation, but to that day when we are fully and finally redeemed, when we are delivered from this fleshly body and the effects of sin, when all things are made new

So as Paul calls the Ephesians not to grieve the Holy Spirit why does he point out that they have been sealed by the same Spirit for the day of redemption?

It is part of the motivation for putting on the new self.

Hendriksen points out that Paul speaks of the Holy Spirit over and over in this letter.

The reason for this, he says, is that, quote, “Paul wishes to impress upon us that apart from God we cannot be saved; that is, that whatever good there is in us has its origin in the Holy Spirit. He both imparts life and sustains it. He causes it to develop and to reach its ultimate destination. It is he, therefore, who is the Author of every Christian virtue, every good fruit. Hence, whenever the believer pollutes his soul by any deceitful, vengeful, covetous, or filthy thought or suggestion, he is grieving the Holy Spirit.”

Hodge says, “To grieve him, therefore, is to wound him on whom our salvation depends.”

Our motivation to lay aside the old self and to put on the new self is because not to do so is to manifest the deeds of the flesh instead of the fruit of the Spirit, the Spirit who guarantees that we will be fully and finally saved.

And notice that there is no threat here.

We are not admonished to live rightly because we will be condemned otherwise. No, we are secure in our salvation because we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. Our motivation should be our love for God, specifically here, for God the Holy Spirit upon who both our salvation and sanctification depends.

Application for Today:

Correction and Rebuke

And as we consider this application we must realize that to speak edifying words does not mean that we never correct or admonish other believers. There are times that gracious and edifying words may be words of correction. We may need to rebuke someone for their sin so that they will stop and become more like Christ. And though it may be difficult and the person may not want to hear the truth, that truth, spoken in love with a desire to see the person conformed to the image of Christ would be edifying.

Consider the Moment

However, we must consider the need of the moment. Rebuking a brother or sister in front of other believers would not be the appropriate time. Doing so would not edify that person nor the other believers who hear it.

Tragedy: It would also not be appropriate to rebuke someone for their sin if they are in the midst of a tragedy, for instance, if a love one has passed away. Also not a time to teach on the sovereignty of God.

The need of the moment would call for words of comfort or not words of correction.

Practical Application: Our Heart vs 31-32

But Paul is not done making application. He has addressed the mind, the hands and the mouth and now he addresses our Hearts. Once again Paul will make it clear that the Worthy walk begins within.

Ephesians 4:31–32 NASB95

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Hatred to Kindness:

Bitterness begins within, it is having a grudge against someone, resenting them. The Picture here is of someone who has lost control because of their bitterness toward another person. They lash out in their wrath and anger, yelling and tearing down the other person. Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander were to be put away along with all malice.

MacArthur says, “Malice is not merely “mischief” but, in general, the evil inclination of the mind, the perversity or baseness of disposition that even takes delight in inflicting hurt or injury on one’s fellowmen.” It is delighting in doing bad to others.

That is not what the Ephesians were to be like. Instead, they were to be kind to one another. They were to be tender-hearted and forgiving. Instead of harboring resentment and hatred, the believer is to have a tender-heart toward other believers. There is to be a love for one another that leads us to forgive those who have sinned against us.

Motivation: Forgiveness of God

And again Paul gave the Ephesians great motivation for doing so. They were to forgive each other, just as God in Christ also had forgiven them. How could they not forgive one another when they had been forgiven so much.

The Ephesian believers and all believers, including all of us who are believers here this morning are to be as forgiving as God was toward us. How was it that God forgave?

Ephesians 2:4–5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”

Forgive like Christ:

Rich in Mercy

Because of Love

Even when they don’t deserve it

We are to forgive others in the same way that God forgave us. He was rich in mercy and had a great love for us. He forgave us while we were dead in sin. He loved us even though we were unlovable. He forgave us not because we deserved to be forgiven, but because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

We are to forgive our brothers and sisters in Christ because they too have been saved by God’s Grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are to forgive them even if they don’t deserve it! We are to love them in spite of their sin. Which is the very point that Paul will continue to make at the beginning of the next chapter. We are to walk in love.

As we close tonight and you continue to consider how this teaching applies to your own life, consider this one last truth.

Throughout this text as Paul gave examples of what the worthy walk looks like, notice that the Old self was focused on self and the New self is to be focused on others.

We are not to live for our own ends but for the sake of others. We are to work so that we will be able to give to those in need. We are to speak so that others will be built up. We are to live rightly out of love and gratitude for the indwelling Holy Spirit.