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Eph 4:25 Therefore each of
you must put off falsehood and speak
truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all
members of one body.
Eph 4:26 “In your anger do
not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while
you are still angry,
Eph 4:27
and do not give the devil a
foothold.
Eph
4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come
out of your mouths, but only what is helpful
for building others up according to their
needs, that it may benefit those who listen
First of
all stop falsehood and speak truthfully
(Eph.4:25.) The problem I have experienced
with couples is that they only tell a part
of the story in order to mislead the other
person and when they are confronted they
would say that they did not lie. Or you
would ask the question “what is wrong”? The
reply would be “nothing”, but you know that
there is definitely something wrong, they
are not telling the truth.
Mr.Howard Eyrich Wrote “Lying is a constant
problem in human conversation and it keeps
us from genuine Communication. If we are
obviously upset, but insist say that we are
all right, others will assume we just don’t
want to talk about it. Instead of gaining
their compassion, we often push them away
altogether.
People
lie to protect themselves from the stress
they perceive will come from a
confrontation. When we insist that we are OK
or that nothing is bothering us, we actually
erect barriers to communication. Our facial
expressions, body language, and verbal
communication are all saying, “Go away, I
don’t want to talk about it”
Eph.4:26. “Do not let the sun go down while
you are still angry”. I can assure you that
when you go to bed angry a guest sleeps
between you and your spouse and once the
Devil get his foot in the door you are
giving up grounds to him. Anger is an
emotion given to us by God, it can last for
a moment or a life-time. Anger can lead to
healthy action or unhealthy, sinful actions,
in your anger do not sin most times the
person who is angry is harming themselves.
They could be come enrage and lose control.
Mr. Eyrich Says “It is possible that the
problem that was the occasion for the anger
cannot be solved quickly. However, the anger
can be put to rest by agreeing to address
the issue at a later time. The relationship
can be reestablished even though the issue
cannot be immediately settled. The point of
the passage is the relationship, not the
particular issue. Taking responsibility for
offending each other, attempting to deal
with the issues, and seeking, and granting
forgiveness is necessary”.
Next
Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk
come out of your mouths. Mr. Eyrich
continues Tackle the issue not the
individual.
This
rule focuses upon the control and intent of
our speech. Following his pattern of put
off and put on, Paul indicates that we must
choose the content of your speech. “Cutting
words” are to put off. In their place we
must express words that build up the other
person(s) in the relationship. Some may
object by saying, “That’s not how I feel!”
To help us, the apostle uses God Himself as
our example. God was the offended party and
certainly did not feel kindly disposed
toward us, yet “God in Christ forgave”us
(Eph. 4:32). He spoke and acted for our
benefit! He tackled the issue of our sin,
not us.
Proverbs 18:6 says, “A fool’s
lips enter into contention, and his mouth
calls for blows.” One cutting remark leads
to another. Communication ceases and
character defamation often develops,
destroying respect and love. Little wonder
that the injunction not to grieve the Holy
Spirit is given between this law and the
next. The use of our mouths directly affects
the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives
and in the lives of others.
Pastor
Frederick Arnett
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July 16, 2008
