The Old Life Has to Go!!!!!


                                  
Ephesians 4:25-32 (The Message)


25. What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

26-27. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.

28. Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.

29. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

30. Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.

31-32. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.


Lying, anger, stealing, being careful what comes out of our mouth, and unforgiveness, the list goes on and on. But in this passage we are told all these things grieve our Lord! Have you ever really thought about this? We try most of the time to not hurt any ones feelings by the things we say or the way we act, but when it comes to Jesus Christ, we are not so careful! Is it because we can't "see" Him that we just forget? As we learn more about Him and what He likes and dislikes, we develop a relationship with Him and I think at this point that we come to realize that we truly can grieve Him. When we think about He has done for us giving us the Ultimate sacrifice "His Son" making a way for us to be saved and live with Him forever, (you hear this often from me) but this is one of those face on the floor moments! Humbled and excited all at the same time. In the last part of verse 30, we are told to never take this gift for granted. A free gift, but a very costly gift on His part! As you read the passage again, realize that this is for our own good! Obedience on our part will cause growth, peace in our heart and a purpose for our life. The Scriptures were never meant to deprive us of anything but to live life to its fullest in Christ! We must be changing, all these things will never go away completely, we will always make mistakes and have sin in our life. But isn't He wonderful! He thought of that to! Our past present and future sins were all nailed to the Cross. We just need to ask for forgiveness and be truly sorry, then we are in right standing again. I pray these Scriptures bless your heart as they did mine. I am truly inadequate in relating the wonderful news about Jesus, but I just wanted to share with you today what is on my heart. I also pray you will have a wonderful weekend and Lords Day! Please check out Spiritual Sunday, you will be blessed by all the testimonies. http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

10 comments:

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Hello, Oh I love this!!!
I am a Christian and yet, I have lied many times. It is a terrible confession to make. I don't like hurting anyone, so if I talked to a friend about a husband problem and then if he asked me if I had, I'd so no...
Well, this all stopped about 3 weeks ago. I decided if soeone asks me for the truth they will get it. Gently I hope and in love.
When I lived in TN I got a lot of what I call lip service.
"We will have to take you to such and such." It never happened...now this is also lying. As Gods peopele we are to be, gentle kind loving forgiving and truthful, ALL THE TIME. Thank you dear friend for the reminder. Hugs CML

Nikki (Sarah) said...

this is a great post...and reminder to live our best for HIm. I'm not where I wish I was but I'm not where I was....Have a great weekend

Joan Hall said...

Great post, Shirley. Have a wonderful weekend and I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.

Virginia said...

So true….What a great post!!!
Thank you for sharing.
Much Blessings,
Virginia

Sherry Southard said...

great post Shirley. It always seems to come back to the scripture that says "Whatever is true, just, lovely, honorable,and of good report. Think on these things." I enjoyed helping you in your shop today. Blessings upon you.

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Thank-you for sharing these scriptures today. I'm not one to stay angry, but there are so many other things I need to work on.
Blessings,
Ginger

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

Hi Shirley, I am so glad that I found this blog. I knew that you had the other one. This is just beautiful. Oh by the way, I can't comment on the other blog because my settings won't let me comment in the embedded box like is over there, so I will tell you over here, I love your mantle, and the rooster! :) Thanks for following me also. Feel free to stop by any time. Teresa

Janis Van Keuren said...

How true! We don't see Him as clearly sometimes as we see our friends. And perhaps that's why we let sin slip into our lives.
Thank you for showing us that if we build a relationship with Him, we will not want to sin and hurt Him.

May you be blessed this Thanksgiving,
Janis

Unknown said...

G'eve Shirley ~
What a poignant write ... power packed.

Have a beautiful & blessed Thanksgiving ~
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Donnie said...

That was such a powerful post. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.