Put Off Falsehood
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, and they are full of greed.
That, however, is not
the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ 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.
Therefore each of you
must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your 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. Anyone who has
been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with
their own hands, that they 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. Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians
4:17-32
When we allow sin to
fill up our hearts, the sin will overflow into our lives. What is we were to
empty our hearts of the rubbish of sin before it started spilling over into our
interactions with others? We could get rid of bitterness, stubborn pride, and
seething anger.
We purchase paper
shredders to cup up all of our secrets into little pieces. You and I were not
designed that way. Confess your sins.
Own up to
your sin – you can’t hide it from God anyway!
Our Daily Bread –