BSF Acts: Week 24, Day 4: Ephesians 4:17–5:21

Questions:

10.

Off: Live as gentiles: Old self, corrupted by its deceitful desires
On:new self, created to be like God
vs: 17, 22, 23, 24

Off: Falsehood
On: speak truthfully
vs:25

Off:Stealing
On: work, something useful with own hands, share
vs: 28

Off: unwholesome talk
On: only what is helpful for building others up
vs: 29

Off: grieve the: H/S
Off: Bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, every form of malice
On: kind, compassionate, forgiving
vs: 25, 31, 32

Off: Sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking
On: thanksgiving
vs: 3,4

Off: Letting others deceive with empty words, partner with them
vs: 6,7

Off: fruitless deeds of darkness
On: expose them
vs: 11

Off: Unwise
On: wise
vs: 15

Off: drunkeness, debauchery
On: filled with the Spirit
vs: 18

On: speaking with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, always give thanks to God
vs: 20

11. This is a work in progress for me, but as I prayed on this, the one that popped to the top of the list was “put off falsehood and speak truthfully”, but with a twist – My bigger fault in this area is not in lying or trying to deceive others but that I need to do this in my dialogue with myself.  I lie a lot to myself:  You deserve a…. God won’t care if…, It won’t matter if… You don’t have time to…

Thoughts:

I think we need to look at this information very carefully.  Many people, particularly those who have not read it, think the bible is a rule book full of do’s and don’ts.  But, first and foremost it is a love story.  A loving and engaged Father who wants better things for His beloved children.

I think a better way to look at this passage is as valuable recommendations from a wise and loving parent.  Do you want things to be better in your life?  Let go of your old way of living, the old hurts and grudges that you haven’t let go of, the unforgiving that you refuse to give – you are not that person any longer!.  Want better thing to happen today?  Spend less time lying and more time telling the truth, spend less time stealing and more time doing work with your hands.  Want better relationships? Quit unwholesome talk and say some kind words to build someone up; quit fixating on immorality and spend time giving thanks.  While your at it, sing a song of praise – it lifts your spirit and soul.