Great and Getting Better!
New Self – Better Congregation – Better Families
Ephesians 4:25–32 serves as a practical guide for everyday Christian living, urging believers to “put off” old, destructive habits and “put on” new, Christ-like behaviors. It calls us to replace falsehood with truth, manage our anger constructively, avoid corrupting speech, and extend radical grace and forgiveness.
Putting on the New Self: Walking in the Truth of the Gospel
The apostle Paul knew that the Christian faith is not just about what we believe, but how we live. In Ephesians 4:25–32, he provides a blueprint for what a transformed life looks like within the church family and what every family should look like.
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Speak the Truth
Lies destroy trust. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to be people of honesty and integrity. Speaking the truth in love builds a foundation of trust essential for healthy fellowship.
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Handle Anger Righteously
Anger is an emotion, but letting it simmer leads to sin. Paul warns us to deal with our frustrations quickly: “do not let the sun go down on your anger,” so that we do not give Satan a foothold.
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Build Others Up
Our words have immense power to either tear down or build up. We are challenged to avoid unwholesome talk and instead use our voices to give grace and encouragement to those who listen.
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Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven
Bitterness, rage, and malice must be replaced with kindness, compassion, and tenderheartedness. The ultimate motivation for this is not just willpower; it is the gospel itself: “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”
Every time we choose truth over deceit, grace over bitterness, and kindness over anger, we demonstrate the transforming power of Christ’s love to a watching world. Let us commit to building up one another in grace this week.
Remember, God loves you and I love you, and that is the way it is going to be!
Marshall Swindall
Boiling Springs church of Christ