The Blessing of a
Changed Behavior
Book of Ephesians
4:25-5:2
As Christians we
must have a complete understanding of "sin".
**Sin is any
transgression of the Word of God. In other words, if God said don't
do it, then don't do it!
Joh 15:24 If I had
not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not
had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
God gave the world
the Mosaic Laws, so all humans could begin to understand "Sin"!
Rom 4:15 Because
the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no
transgression.
In America it is
popular now to remove the Ten Commandments of God!
We live in a nation
where half of the citizens do not want laws and do not want law
enforcers and much of the world is the same.
**Sin is a failure
to conform to the standard of God!
Rom 3:23 For all
have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
This involves the
sins of commission but also the sins of omission.
Rom 14:23 And he
that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith:
for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Jas_4:17 Therefore
to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
**Sin is a principle
within us all!
Rom 7:14 For we
know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Rom 7:17 Now then
it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
**Sin is rebellion
against Jehovah God!
1Jn 3:4 Whosoever
committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the
transgression of the law.
As sin has grown
significantly, it is also one of the signs that we are in the last
days!
Mat 24:12 And
because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
There may not be
another Scripture that describes this world we live now, than this
one!
**Sin is the
wrongful act against God but also against mankind.
Rom 1:18 For the
wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Exo 20:12 Honour
thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land
which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Exo 20:13 Thou
shalt not kill.
Exo 20:14 Thou
shalt not commit adultery.
Exo 20:15 Thou
shalt not steal.
Exo 20:16 Thou
shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Exo 20:17 Thou
shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy
neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his
ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
****Sin is the thing
that God simply will not tolerate!
*****Eph 4:24 And
that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness.
Eph 4:25 Wherefore
putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we
are members one of another.
We ended last week’s
lesson we ended with Verse 24, but this is to be the dress code for
all those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior!
If we are not
dressed right, we certainly cannot do right!
Lying is
untruthfulness, deception, and yes, even exaggeration is lying.
Why must we always
speak the truth, because as believers, we are a member of the Body of
Christ, God's building material He uses to build His church.
We are members one
of another and "all deception hinders the work of the church"!
Lying can become a
habit because lying is the sin of the Devil.
Lying defiles, us:
Mat 15:19 For out
of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Mat 15:20 These are
the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands
defileth not a man.
We should understand
that God hates the liar and the worst of lies are those that are
confirmed by an oath!
Those that lie are
saying they are in the family of Satan!
2Th 2:8 And then
shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the
spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his
coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him,
whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs
and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with
all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because
they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
We could say that
lying is spiritual suicide, because we are denying the new creation
God has given to us!
*****Eph 4:26 Be ye
angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Eph 4:27 Neither
give place to the devil.
Unjustified anger is
clearly wrong and clearly sin!
There may be times
when anger is justified but when that time comes we must still avoid
sin!
Justified anger is
never selfish, nor does it seek destruction, justified anger will
seek a remedy.
Rom 12:17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the
sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be
possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Rom 12:19 Dearly
beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for
it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Anger can cause us
to lash out at others to cause them harm and it is sin.
Anger that broods
and harbors malice, will not forget, and seeks revenge, is sinful.
Anger that holds
contempt and exalts your own pride, is sinful!
Pro 21:24 Proud and
haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
Anger that seeks to
destroy another person in any way, is sin.
Anger that curses,
is sin.
Anger can cause hurt
feelings between those we are the closest to. Such as husband and
wife, or brother and sister, or our best friends. Those hurt feelings
can linger for a great amount of time and even damage what was once a
very good relationship.
Those that are the
strongest in their relationships can rule their spirit!
Pro 16:32 He that
is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his
spirit than he that taketh a city.
It is foolish to
hold onto our anger at any time.
Ecc 7:9 Be not
hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of
fools.
And God says: "let
not the sun go down upon your wrath".
Angry passion, is a
fire that will burn down deep into the soul, if it is not soon
quenched.
The longer anger
simmers and stews in your heart the angrier you will become!
We will certainly be
much better off if when we are already angry to not confront someone
else who is angry!
We are fools if we
do not know that Satan is doing his best to be the master of all
mankind!
He studies our
character. When we least expect it, he will try to interfere in our
Christian lives. Anger is a place he can slip in unnoticed!
We must continuously
resist the Devil and never let our guard down, even when we are
angry.
Pro 16:32 He that
is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his
spirit than he that taketh a city.
It is always better
to get over our anger and move on!
In fact, if we want
to be angry then let's get angry at sin and do our best to lead every
sinner outside the church to the Lord!
*****Eph 4:28 Let
him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with
his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him
that needeth.
That word "steal"
means not only to take and carry away the things of others, but it
means to cheat people wrongfully, legally or illegally.
Pro 20:14 It is
naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way,
then he boasteth.
Pro 21:6 The
getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro
of them that seek death.
Pro 21:7 The
robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do
judgment.
Those who commit
theft directly.
Those who cheat in
measures, weight, "quality" and "value" of goods
and services.
Those who gain by
unjust lawsuits, including unjust judges.
Those who contract
debt and those who declare to be bankrupt dishonestly.
Those who charge
illegal interest on items or loans.
What about those
workers who take pay with doing any work.
What about those who
allow damage that could have been stopped.
What about those
beggars on the side of the road who are not what they appear to be.
There are many
others who take from others in various ways!
The Bible teaches
that any of these actions are sin not only against those people but
most importantly, against God.
But there are also
those who steal from God in various ways and one is in tithes and
offerings.
Mal_3:8 Will a man
rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed
thee? In tithes and offerings.
We also rob God when
we do not worship Him in spirit and in truth! This is a commandment!
Joh_4:23 But the
hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the
Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship
him.
Joh_4:24 God is a
Spirit: and they that worship him "must" worship him in
spirit and in truth.
We can call these
things whatever we wish but God calls it stealing and all stealing is
sin!
Fact: God has put
within this earth enough resources to meet the needs of His people!
Fact: God has given
mankind the ability to have dominion over this earth!
Gen 1:28 And God
blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and
replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish
of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing
that moveth upon the earth.
Fact: Those who
sincerely want a job can find a job!
Fact: God has given
mankind the ability to develop the technology to control nature
enough to explore this universe. Not searching for Aliens or other
life but to improve things upon this earth!
Fact: mankind could
feed, clothe, and house everyone upon this earth and it would be
possible, if certain ones did not hoard the riches of this earth!
What's God answer?
Those that stole, steal no more!
It is just that
simple! If the theft of the riches of this world would stop. If those
who had riches would give to those who are in need this world would
be a much better place. If this world would then acknowledge the Word
of God as the truth, it would be as if the curse has been lifted.
Mat 6:19 Lay not up
for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where
your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
God intends for
those who have, to help those who have not, and God intends for His
message to be broadcast throughout this world!
We live in a selfish
world and this must end!
1Jn 3:17 But whoso
hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth
up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in
him?
Fact: we still do
not know how to communicate properly!
*****Eph 4:29 Let
no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is
good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the
hearers.
That word corrupt
means, rotten, foul, and polluting in fact worthless may be the best
description.
Psa 52:2 Thy tongue
deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Psa 52:3 Thou
lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak
righteousness. Selah.
Psa 52:4 Thou
lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
We could take most
of the words used today as used in a worthless manner!
Psa 5:9 For there
is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very
wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with
their tongue.
We can also add
cursing and unholy talk, as a worthless use of words.
Rom 3:13 Their
throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used
deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Rom 3:14 Whose
mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Words are used as an
act or to forward a cause and if that cause is useless then, those
words should not have been said.
Pro 6:16 These six
things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Pro 6:17 A proud
look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Pro 6:18 An heart
that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to
mischief,
Pro 6:19 A false
witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among
brethren.
We should be careful
that the words we say make a productive message to those who are
listening!
God's answer is to
speak those things that are good, those things that build up each
other and especially the Christian, those thing that minister "Grace"
to one another. Those words that prove we have been influenced from a
power on high and above all this world.
Jesus Christ is
still our example even in this. Remember the Lord Jesus never had
even one sin!
Isa 50:4 The Lord
GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how
to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning
by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
Isa 50:5 The Lord
GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned
away back.
We already know that
as Christians we have the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives within us
and if we go against any part of the Word of God we will certainly
"grieve" the Holy Spirit.
Being a part in any
of these things mentioned in this passage, will cause "grief"
to the Holy Spirit.
*****Eph 4:30 And
grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day
of redemption.
This passage is a
very clear proof of the personality of the Holy Spirit of God. He can
be "grieved"!
This passage is also
clear proof that the Holy Spirit is truly connected to each believer!
The Holy Spirit has
the same character of God because He is God!
We should understand
the pre-flood days, where God used these words.
Gen 6:3 "And
the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man", for
that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty
years.
We should understand
the time of the Jews 40-year journey.
Psa 78:40 How oft
did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
Psa 78:41 Yea, they
turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
It should be very
clear that when we "grieve" the Holy Spirit we certainly
limit the blessings of God!
As Christians, we
certainly grieve the Holy Spirit when we participate in anything
contrary to His divine nature!
We have another very
real reason we should not grieve the Holy Spirit because, He has
sealed us unto the day of "redemption"!
Eph 1:13 In whom ye
also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed
with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is
the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased
possession, unto the praise of his glory.
These are valuable
lessons for us all to learn.
*****Eph 4:31 Let
all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking,
be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye
kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as
God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
We are to be in
total control of our temper.
We are to forever
cherish each other as God's creatures having the same purpose, to
acknowledge our Creator.
Those that do not,
are not all our enemies! They are of that group of people we are seek
out to tell them about a loving God who cares for them also!
Mat 5:44 But I say
unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to
them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye
may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh
his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the
just and on the unjust.
No doubt there are
many who will show themselves to be the enemies of God, but God still
loves them and if it be possible to reach them with the "Gospel"
we owe them that opportunity!
Mat 5:46 For if ye
love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the
publicans the same?
Mat 5:47 And if ye
salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even
the publicans so?
Mat 5:48 Be ye
therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
The word "kindness"
comes from the word kinned which means one of the same, reminding us
of the fact that we are all brethren in the sense of all being God's
creation!
To be tenderhearted,
is to show compassion, mercy, and understanding.
To be forgiving,
means to show the same "grace" to them as the "grace"
God has shown to you.
Being able to pardon
them for anything they have done!
Col 3:13 Forbearing
one another, and forgiving one another, if any man has a quarrel
against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
When we refuse to do
these things, we are showing God that we are still disobedient
children!
*****Eph 5:1 Be ye
therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 5:2 And walk in
love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an
offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
What must be our
goal? To imitate the characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ, the
God of the Bible.
To be truly at peace
with God we must strive to be like Him!
The Lord Jesus
Christ was always giving of Himself even unto His death and He was
always forgiving of others.
To follow God, we
must attach ourselves to Him and never let go!
We must surrender
and devote our life to God just as He devoted Himself to all
believers.
Jesus Christ said:
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in
heaven is perfect.
Jesus Christ said:
Luk 6:35 But love
ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and
your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the
Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Luk 6:36 Be ye
therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
John wrote: 1Jn 4:11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
God demanded: Lev
19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and
say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
Paul declared: 2Co
3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of
the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even
as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Peter wrote: 1Pe
1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all
manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16 Because it
is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
These things leave
us no doubt what the Lord is asking of us, in fact demanding of all
those who are His children.
We must forgive and
forget!
We must have that
loving spirit and it show!
In fact, we must
show all the fruit of the Holy Spirit!
Gal 5:22 But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law.
We must walk in the
love of the Lord Jesus Christ! We see very little love for humanity
in our world today!
The Lord Jesus
Christ did not just die for us, the Lord Jesus Christ took our place
on that cross, He was our substitute!
There is no one else
that exist who could have done this thing for us!
Notice here, that
love is something we must wear as a garment, but we must also be
clothed in humility to be a true child of God!
Love is also a
pathway; the walk of love, will lead us directly to our Savior!
What is the greatest
problem with this world ? The world says love, but that love must
flow from our loving God or it is not true love!
Love must be a
genuine product from a genuine God, only then will love take on it's
true meaning!
1Jn 4:19 We love
him, because he first loved us.
The Christian life
depends on love for one another with the same love that comes from
God!
Amen
Let's Pray!
