Instructions on the proper way to behave or act are often given to people. They are given to people when attending school, joining social and athletic clubs, and when meeting important or prominent people, such as royalty. Parents hopefully instruct their young children in good and proper behavior. In our Scripture reading today, Paul gives some basic instructions to both the new and the spiritually immature believers in the early church, along with reminders to all believers on how Christians should be acting and living their lives. Since we all need reminders now and then, let’s take a look.
Our Scripture begins with the admonition to not tell lies (vs. 25). That is a common, basic instruction that we were all taught as children. It is also one of the Ten Commandments. Unfortunately we find way too many adults who are quite comfortable telling lies all the time. God is quite plain here in that we are not to lie. This would include exaggerations, betraying a confidence, or making false excuses. God’s work is based on truth. Believers should be fit instruments for the Lord to use. They can’t be if they are not truthful.
Next Paul moves on to talk about anger, where he instructs us to be angry, but not to sin with our anger (vs. 26). God is speaking about righteous anger here, not permission to throw temper tantrums or bursting into fits of rage. This is an anger that hates injustice, immorality, ungodliness, and other sins. Jesus had righteous anger when He cleansed the Temple (Matthew 21:12-13). Many of the prophets were righteously angry at the people of Israel for worshipping pagan gods, and mixing that worship with that of Yahweh. The verse continues in telling us that all anger, even righteous anger, should be set aside at the end of the day, otherwise it can become hostile. If we nurse our anger we will give Satan an opportunity to bring in sin and his evil designs (vs. 27).
As our Scripture continues, Paul gives a couple more basic instructions for believers to make a part of their lives, showing that they have turned away from their old lifestyle and are following Jesus. He reminds us that stealing, taking anything that doesn’t rightfully belong to us, is a sin (vs. 28). One should work to get what they need, not just helping ourselves to what doesn’t belong to us. Foul language of any sort should never pass a Christian’s lips (vs. 29). Instead, our words should be uplifting and encouraging to others.
Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit is grieved when believers refuse to change and turn away from the old ways of sin (vs. 30). Just as we would become heartbroken if we saw a child of ours living a disreputable life, so also God is grieved when He sees us willingly choosing to remain in sinful practices. When we accepted the Lord Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit sealed, or guaranteed, that we belong to God. He is the Guarantor of eternal redemption in Christ for those who believe in Him. Because of that we need to pattern our life after Him, not after the enemy of our souls.
When we do house cleaning, we gather up worthless items we no longer want, and throw them out. Verse 31 is a list of some behaviors that God wants us to get rid of, as they are worthless, and actually harmful to our spiritual life. They include bitterness, which is smoldering resentment, wrath and anger. We need to get rid of clamor, which is shouting and yelling, evil speaking or slander, and all malice, which is hatred and maliciousness.
As Paul concludes this passage, he tells us of perhaps the most important of these behavioral instructions, and that is to be forgiving of others (vs. 32). When we forgive, we lay down all claims to retribution. We cannot be secretly wishing the one who hurt us any harm. True forgiveness says “Though you hurt me, I choose to pardon you.” Do not dwell on the harm done, allowing it to destroy your life. Those who have been forgiven so much by God should forgive others their relatively small offenses (Matthew 18:21-35).
Looking back over this Scripture we see that we need to curtail many of our old habits and behaviors, and replace them with new ones that are acceptable to God. If Christians continue in any of the sins in this Scripture, where they are becoming habits again, we allow Satan to get a deadly hold on our heart. Instead of acting in sinful ways, we need to be forgiving of others.
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