The “New Self”


Ephesians 4:25-28
25Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
26Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
27and give no opportunity to the devil.
28Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Paul makes much of our changed status as Christians. We are no longer slaves to the old nature that wants to sin and live in corruption. The new life looks different because Christians are different. This new life is marked by three traits (according to this passage – there are more.)
  1. Speak the truth. This sounds easy – but it is not. Interestingly, Paul phrases this in such a way as to point out that if we lie to a fellow believer we are actually lying to ourselves for we are all one in Christ. Being truthful can be tough but it is critical. Satan is the father of lies –all lies. (See John 8:42-47) Even those “white lies” are wrong. That may mean you need to actually think before you speak in order to avoid lying. Once again – intentional living!
  2. Anger is crushed. The “anger response” is so very easy. It means we just give vent to those feelings of frustration and rage. Our words damage those around us and can cause pain. Allowing those pains to happen, and then to fester only leads to division within the Body and that brings only destruction. If the angry words or actions happen, deal with it immediately. Allow no room for festering.
  3. Honesty a must. Inside of the Body of Christ, no dishonesty can be allowed. It too will rot us from the inside out. That means we work rather than steal. We give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wage.
Here in four short verses we find enough to work on for a lifetime! Putting on the “new self” that has been created by the Holy Spirit requires that we pay attention to how we live. Just imagine the reputation Christians and even Christianity would have if all heeded these words. Evangelism would be a breeze!

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