Ephesians Chapter 4 

Verse-by-Verse Commentary

Ephesians 4

In-depth verse-by-verse analysis

Live Your Life Worthy of Your Calling

Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord [Lord’s will], then, I urge [encourage] you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 4:2 (1) Be completely humble and (2) gentle; be (3) patient, (4) bearing with one another in love. NIV

4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 4:2 with all (1) lowliness and (2) gentleness, with (3) long suffering, (4) bearing with one another in love. NKJV

First of All: The Calling, and the Opportunities, we Have Received For God.

We should know that God has specifically called us to do four things, whatever profession or career we practice. There are no exceptions, for either prince or pauper.

• Be completely humble. That is modest, unassuming, meek, unpretentious, down-to-earth. Reasonable, and respectful. Not arrogant, boastful, proud, egotistical, or self-centered.

• Be gentle. That is peaceful, compassionate, tender, caring, and merciful.  Not abrasive or heavy-handed.

• Be patient. That is teachable and not impatient.

• Be loving and bear with the slowness and the faults of another. That is bringing people together. Not being critical and judgmental; that is focused on things that divide.  

 When we practice these spiritual qualities, we walk worthy of our high calling before God our Father. Because the “Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him” (Dan 9:9), thus so should we.

What Calling Did Paul Receive?

While writing this letter, he was a prisoner in Rome. Paul calls his imprisonment for the Lord. This calling is not one that anyone would care to receive.

Paul’s experience of bearing with imprisonment, pagan guards, and loss of freedom exemplifies that enduring hardship with patience and love is central to our calling, inspiring us to remain steadfast in our own trials for Christ's sake.

The Theme of Living our Lives in a Worthy Manner

To live worthy of our calling is to make steady progress in our spiritual lives; to speak “the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Eph 4:5).

To live worthy of our calling, we must actively cultivate humility and patience through Prayer, Scripture meditation, and accountability, recognizing that spiritual growth is a daily process rather than an instant achievement.

“Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil 1:27). This means that as we leave our home for work and when we return, we pray that we will live a life “to please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Col 1:10).

This implies that we desire to live a life corresponding to the value of the grace and “love” (1 John 3:1) which God has placed on us.

Paul’s Encouragement is Different than the Torah

Paul takes a different approach from the Old Testament Torah, which commands obedience. “Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee” (Dt 4:40 KJV).

Paul takes a soft-hearted approach to living our lives to honor and “find out what pleases the Lord” (Eph 5:10), rather than just the command to obey. Since we have been given “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Eph 1:17), believers receive wisdom and willingness from the Spirit and “follow in the footsteps of the faith” (Rom 4:12).

In love…Be Completely Humble

The Greek word humble is a feminine noun; it is the opposite of human pride and is characterized by modesty despite one’s achievements. It is an inner virtue of knowing that our natural and even our acquired gifts that bring honor and success are from the Lord, to prevent self-exaltation.

Peter tells us how to be closer to God and have his favor: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble '” (1 Pet 5:5).

• “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Pro 11:2

• “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him” (Dan 9:9).

An Example of Humility in Youthful Jesus

We are invited to have the same mindset as Christ, “who humbled himself,” inspiring admiration and a desire to emulate His humility.

Jesus, for the first thirty years of his life, worked for his living and displayed no unusual skills or miracles that would have made him stand out from his neighbors. We do not know all the carpentry jobs, such as building chairs and tables for a customer, that he worked long hours to accomplish, even though he was equal to God in his cosmic origins.

From his youth, he knew who he was. His mother surely told him what the angels said at his birth, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ [Messiah] the Lord” (Lk 2:11). When his mother said to her twelve-year-old son, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He [Jesus] said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:48,49). In this, Jesus acknowledged that Joseph was not his natural father. Joseph was like a stepfather, although God was his natural DNA Father.

This gives us a small glimpse into what the boy Jesus knew about himself. He did know that the very God of all heaven was his real Father. Just before his arrest, he told Peter, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matt 26:53). But Jesus did not use his natural divine authority to command angels to obey him as he wished.

Instead, Jesus held down natural talents, such as in music, science, physics, math, or philosophy, that would have astounded the entire Roman and Greek world. So, he might live as a humble servant to his community. He gave us an example of working with our hands and staying out of controversy. Up to about age 30, Jesus was gainfully employed in specific job assignments. He was single and poor, living with his mother until he was nearly 30 years old. Neighbors would be inclined to view him as unusual, since unmarried men were an oddity in Jewish culture.

The families that employed this young carpenter would never have conceived that he would have billions of committed followers, even 2,000+ years after their time. They had no idea that the young man repairing their house or building for them furniture, would at about the age of thirty, hear a voice from heaven saying to the world: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mk 1:10). Yet for the largest part of his life on earth, he lived and worked as a “servant” who “worked with his hands” (1Thess 4:11), as Paul recommended to men, in his own time.

Humility of Jesus as an Ordinary Peasant, Who Claimed No Status

As an ordinary young peasant, Jesus walked into customers’ homes, under their command, as their servant carpenter. We must not think of Jesus as always just a young teenager or boy.  He was a full-grown young man, still employed with deep humility, up to the age of about twenty-nine to thirty. He was still quietly waiting for His Father to call him to public ministry. He was still working as an unrecognized skilled carpenter by trade. Even while humbly employed, “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Col 2:9).

If anyone ever set an example of humility, it was Jesus. Not once did he prove his divine powers to astonish or entertain. Yet they lay under the surface of his humble-looking servant exterior.

Paul has presented this theme that Jesus “who being in [the] very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage” when he could have easily done so to the applause of many, “rather, he made himself nothing” (Phil 2:6,7). Nothing special at all, other than a faithful, skilled servant to those who employed him.

Jesus, a Willing Servant of Servants

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles” (Matt 5:41). This was no doubt his own practice. In history, it was common for a passing soldier to lay portions of his gear on nearby strangers, forcing them to carry it. Since Jesus mentioned this, he who was tested in everything, “in every way, just as we are” (Heb 4:15), did not respond with complaint when forced to carry a Roman soldier's heavy gear.

Can you picture this? Look at the young man Jesus, who could have successfully resisted, yet is seen walking with his back bent, carrying a heavy load of a Roman Soldier while under the demeaning curses given to Jewish peasants. To the soldier's surprise, Jesus carries the added load farther than the soldier had demanded, with deep humility.

Jesus’ example is one of the deepest humility possible. Even though he was “the Son [of God] is the image of the invisible God…for in him all things were created: things in heaven or on earth, visible and invisible…all things have been created through him and for him [the Son of God]” (Col 1:15,16).

To Us Today: “Be Completely Humble”

This is the starting point of real and sustained Christian Growth. This word means to be humble in a comprehensive scope. This points to the universality of this command. In Greek, the definite article is omitted, making it a straightforward intensive: be humble in everything.

When anyone puts their talents and education forward to receive praise, it is numbing to the Spirit's voice and presence. The Lord says, “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isa 57:15).

When we live a humble life, we are privileged to learn our best lessons from the Spirit. Even though we make stumbling mistakes, the Spirit is there to “teach” and “guide” us (John 14:26; 16:13). The Spirit will guide us into better ways to respond with humility. The “Spirit of truth” (John 16:13) will reprove us when we unthinkingly let the calls of our flesh, our fallen nature, rise in our lives. We will clearly see our follies, our lack of love, or our conceited opinions that have demeaned others.

Pride can live in a believer who accepts Christian doctrines and principles to live by, yet remains totally blind to their own pride. It is often seen in public worship, where speakers talk more about themselves and their achievements, while giving Scripture little attention. One can consider themselves a good Christian while pride dominates their lives in many ways.

Pride is the most insidious of all sins; it is the reason why sin started in Lucifer, in the first place, for he “said in his heart:

• I will ascend into heaven,

• I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;

• I will also sit on the mount of the congregation. On the farthest sides of the north;

• I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,

• I will be like the Most High”  Isa 14:13,14

Lucifer depended on his own strength, his own will, his own abilities. All five of his “I Will” objectives have failed miserably.

Toleration of Others

Believers have been given instructions on how to deal with life's problems. How not to run away or escape from very troublesome situations. Instead, they learn to bear with others' mistakes and missteps, not in a grumpy manner but in love.

Humility is a testing truth for salvation, as Jesus has taught us. He tied it to those who are welcomed into heaven. Jesus “called a little child to him and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly [humble] position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’” (Matt 18:2-4).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matt 6:1). If we make sure the media takes note of your work with praise, God will consider the praise you received from others as the just reward. Thus, there will be no heavenly reward for good deeds done without humility.

Humility of Kings and Presidents

It may be a challenge for those with Ph.D. S or those who hold congressional or high military positions to be humble. King Nebuchadnezzar, in the book of Daniel, learned the hard way to be humble, to “esteem others better than himself” (Phil 2:3 NKJV).

He once boasted: “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” But later he declared: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he can humble” (Dan 4:27).

Humility Is the Anti-Dope to Pride, but Pride Leads to More Pride

Pride is very insidious. It creeps into our lives like sunlight in our homes in the early morning.

A believer starts their life of faith with justification and the forgiveness of every sin. They start turning to prayer, confessing their sins and weaknesses, and asking God for victories. They receive an “anointing from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20) that changes their lives, giving them a sense of right and wrong. As God pours His love into our hearts, Scriptures and prayer become more delightful.

Over time, their self-confidence increases as their faith grows in certainty. They are blessed with natural talents and gifts of the Spirit. Their personal experience deepens as they gain certainty about God's will for their lives.

After more time, there is a tendency to forget the call to humility. To forget the command to “in humility value others above yourselves” (Phil 2:3). We forget to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Rom 12:10). As John writes, “Dear friends, since God SO loved us, we OUGHT TO love one another [always]” (1 John 4:11).

Beware of Sustained Praise

When pride of position, educational advantages, or natural talents bring us praise and increased wealth, we are in serious spiritual danger. We must reject the idea that the accolades of success can give us any favor before God.

Never should a believer lose sight of Jesus' opening words in his Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Also, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matt 5:3,5).

To be “poor in spirit” means to be humbly dependent on God, unable to save ourselves, having nothing in us to merit the blessing and favor of God. To admit we are sinners, and thus we look to God, in total dependence, for deliverance and daily seek God for wisdom and more love.

• “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

Pride Has Its Inherent Dangers

Pride does not like to be in second place; it prefers to be first and better than all others. The disease of pride will always obscure the love of the Gospel, the love of the Bible, and the love of God that should pulsate in our hearts. Pride makes itself at home in the center of our thoughts, at work, at play, in leisure, and in public worship. Soon we will expect honor and praise from others, as our natural right.

• “For this is what the high and exalted One says— He who lives forever, whose name is holy:

“I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit [poor in spirit],

to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite”

Isa 57:15

• “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it. You do not delight in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken [broke & poor] and a contrite heart—

These, O God, You will not despise” (Ps 51:16,17).

• Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov 16:18).

• “When pride comes, then comes disgrace,  but with humility comes wisdom” (Pro 11:2).

• “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor” (Pro 29:23).

The Hidden Dangers for the Proud

The shocking thing Jesus said was that the prideful do not clearly hear the Gospel call. He said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matt 9:12,13).

Paul, addressing the Corinthian church, said to them, “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor 1:26,27).

In love…Be Patient

This means not being impatient or intolerant toward others. We are to be patient with others' mistakes, weaknesses, and follies. With their slowness to change or their spiritual misunderstanding. We are to be considerate of others, resisting the tendency to strike back.

Patient love will find a way to help the wayward employee, rather than resorting to punitive measures such as firing or harsh cancellation. The peaceful leader or employer will be very likely to practice patient love rather than be exacting and critical unless necessary.

“And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly [disruptive], encourage the fainthearted [discouraged], help the weak, and be patient with everyone” (1 Thess 5:14 NKJV). This is the same as God has been patient with you.

Impatience will often cause us to be unkind. Impatience, if left unchecked, will spread to other areas of our lives. It leads to the loss of wisdom and reason. It has a dampening effect on prayer. It leads us to want to do things our own way, forgetting to ask for God's will.

“Here is the patience of the saints” (Rev 14:12 NKJV). Those who are committed to God will value patience as a primary doctrine of faith.

Bearing with Each Other with Love

To bear with others means to tolerate, to hold up and lift, and to endure the weakness and flaws of others. This means making allowances when you can, in keeping with your love for God. Often, we will have to overlook the small or sometimes large offending mistakes of others. Some very offending remarks may be unjustly and personally directed at you. Sometimes we will have to bear with others' limited spiritual understanding, bearing up with their mental or spiritual weaknesses in prayer.

People are not all easy to get along with; they are not all attractive and good-natured. Yet God bears with us humans; He “demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners” (Rom 5:8). There is room in our lives to improve and to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18). There always will be.

Paul Repeats this Teaching to the Colossians

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col 3:13). The word “grievance” means to blame, lodge a complaint, and find fault. Sure, they may be very guilty, just as we were very guilty before God when we were “once far away”; God “brought [us] near” to Him, “by the blood of Christ” (Eph 2:13). Although at one time “we were separated from Christ.” Still, despite our sick condition, God “made us alive with Christ” because of “His great love with which he loved us” (Eph 2:12, 5, 4). Likewise, we are to repeat this process in prayer, applying the blood of Christ to those whom we need to bear up with, in a love similar in manner to God, who sent His Son.

When we meet those who are hard to love, who do not ever reach out to us in any love or concern, this calls for intercessory prayer. We can claim the love of God to awaken those who are worthy of blame, deserving of condemnation. Just as Christ died on our behalf, we pray for them on their behalf and for their good.

Love Makes a God of Love Visible

John teaches us that loving others is how we make God visible to others. “No one has ever seen God; but IF we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:12). The only possible way to see God, to know God, to realize His presence, to worship God—is through love for one another.

God Wishes the World to See Him Through His Love Displayed in Us

The only way to see God, to know God, to realize His presence, to worship God—is through love for one another. Love is the antidote to sin as it is expressed in thousands of forms. Love is the only gateway to holiness, for “without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:4). And God is only seen through, in, and by love. For God’s love makes us complete, giving us “confidence on the day of judgment” (1 John 5:17).

God’s abiding love in us, by His Spirit, is what makes us a complete human being, “perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). Keeping the Laws of God will never make one complete and perfect in God’s sight. Keeping the Law does not make anyone perfect, for “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law” (Rom 13:10,8).

The redeemed of the Lord are made complete, ready to meet the Lord—only by God’s love living in us, because God’s presence is known to us, and to the others by our love for them.

The point John is teaching us is simple: To see God visibly is to love one another. This is the only way to see God, since He is a “Spirit” (John 4:24) and, as such, cannot be seen by our eyes. To have the Spirit, which is “God’s spirit” (1 Cor 3:16 NIV) or “Spirit of God” (1 Cor 3:16 NKJV) or “the Spirit who is from God” (1 Cor 2:12), is to have an ever-increasing fresh supply of love.

Love Makes God Visible

Love is God made perceptible. It is the witness we give to the existence of God, displayed in us, by and through the presence of “the Spirit of God” (1 John 4:2), because we are “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).

No one should be led to believe that their attendance at church or their belief in its doctrines reveals God to the world. Closely held doctrines, without love for others, blind our eyes to our real bankrupt spiritual condition. It makes us prisoners to “the law of sin at work within” us (Rom 7:23). Sin can masquerade as love when one holds to their Bibles, to tithing, to church attendance, without the need of love burning and moving in their hearts toward others, not just in their social circle.

Love is to be Sincere and Spontaneous

Peter expresses the same concept, saying: “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth,” now show it by having “sincere love for each other.” Which over time means to “love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Pet 1:22). This is natural and spontaneous love. It does not come from our will to love, our choice to love—But God’s Spirit implanted within us makes us ready and willing to love and be helpful to others. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2).

When we are “Born of God” (1 John 4:7), love is implanted; love is transfused into us. It will spring up spontaneously. Recently we were talking to a woman when a man walked in front of us whom we did not recognize as homeless. The elderly woman we were talking to broke off the conversation with us to speak good and kind words. She offered him help and asked if he needed some food. This caring love sprang spontaneously from her heart; it was within her.

This is how God’s love lives in us. When we see a need, we respond without a moment’s hesitation to meet it, from the heart of love received from God, flowing from our hearts as if it were naturally our love. 

Unity of the Spirit: 7 + 1 Ways

Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of [by or in] the Spirit through [in] the bond of peace. 4:4 There is (1) one body and (2) one Spirit, just as you were called to (3) one hope when you were called. 4:5 (4) one Lord, (5) one faith, (6) one baptism. 4:6 (7) one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in [you] all. NIV

4:3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in [through] the bond of peace. 4:4 There is (1) one body and (2) one Spirit, just as you were called in (3) one hope of your calling; 4:5  (4) one Lord, (5) one faith, (6) one baptism; 4:6 (7) one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. NKJV

4:3 Do your best to let God's Spirit keep you united. You belong together so live in peace with each other…4:6 There is one God, who is the Father of all of us. He has authority over all of us. He works through all of us. He is in all of us. EasyEnglish Bible

Make Every Effort to Keep Unity Through the Spirit

This Greek verb for effort is spoudazó: It means: “to be diligent, to hasten, prompt, earnest and to be eager”. Believers are to be diligent in keeping oneness in fellowship, by creating a bond of peace, which is a pledge between each believer not to break peace between themselves, over political, theological, or personal preferences. They will do this because they are “humble, gentle, patient” and have learned to bear “with one another in love” (Col 1:11; Eph 4:2).

When conflict arises between believers, it has a chilling effect on the Spirit in their lives, because it is the Spirit that looks to preserve respectful peace between all other believers. If peace between believers is broken in the long term, their worship will experience a loss of the Spirit.

Respectable Bond of Peace

We should be responsible to support a bond of peace even if another person has a different opinion on a biblical subject. Christian history has displayed thousands of times where bitter quarrels over some point of doctrine, have led to wars and large losses of life. “As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone” (Rom 12:18), this is the will of God. Always.

How can there be jealousy or envy for the ability to pray, preach, sing, dress to style, educational levels, to teach or lead in church events? They are sharers of the same Spirit you have, which does not give any allowance for jealousy.

Don’t both, the more talented and less talented, have the same inheritance of eternal life with God? Do we “not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?” (2 Cor 12:18). “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Cor 13:14), that is, with everyone.

Paul tells us that when we break “the bread” at the communion table, it is “a participation in the body of Christ.” Paul further explains, “because there is [only] one loaf” at the communion service where many of us are gathered, as “we break” the bread participating “in the body of Christ. Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf” (1 Cor 10:16,17). The communion service is a reminder of the unity we are called to when we are privileged to be “In Christ”.

Bond of Peace

In Greek the word for bond is sundesmos: meaning a uniting principle that produces close harmony between members joined closely together.

In Roman society, bonds were seen as essential for keeping civil order and cooperative unity within communities. Sadly, among Christian groups around the world, there is almost no effort put forth toward peaceful, loving unity among the many different houses of worship. Perhaps this is a reason why spiritual revivals are so infrequent. Why is love for others, from different religious viewpoints is so neglected? Why? We think that religious pride is a factor. Associated with it is the fear of loss of members and possible decline in financial gain.

“Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 6:23). Love for God is the glue that holds the seal of the Bond of Peace unbroken. Then we can “be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor 13:11).

This is the last and most important lesson of this passage. When we break from individuals, that are known as lovers of Christ, we break the Bond of Peace that the Spirit is looking to accomplish among all believers. The consequences are that we will likely grow more distant from the Spirit. Before we know it, the joy of our salvation has dissipated.

To keep the Bond of Peace with others, as the Spirit directs, we will need to “be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph 4:2). And as the result, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).

Seven One’s

All believers form one Body: “Members together of one body… body of Christ (Eph 3:6; 4:12). Meaning that believers are to see in each other as belonging to Christ, as much as they are themselves. This body of many believers is known as “the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). For “Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior” (Eph 5:23).

All believers have one Spirit: “The work of one and the same Spirit” (1 Cor 12:11). Believers are to discern the work of the Spirit in each other.

All believers have one Hope: “Share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light” and one "hope stored up for you in heaven” (Col 1:12,5). Believers will share together the hope of the resurrection with eternal life. No one has a special resurrection that makes them better than anyone else.

All believers have one Lord: “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am” (John 13:13). As such all believers will be united in their efforts to understand and follow the words of our Lord and Savior. As Jesus said, “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love” (John 15:10).

All believers have one Faith: “Striving together as one for the faith of the gospel” (Phil 1:27). All believers have experienced forgiveness of all their sins, all by the same faith. As Paul declared “we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Rom 3:28).

All believers have one Baptism: “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus was baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Rom 6:3,4).

All believers have one God and Father of us all: “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only” (Matt 4:10), is our goal in life.

I have Other Sheep

God wants us to recognize and honor others who worship Him and love Him as Jesus said, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen” (John 10:16). They are the family of God as well as other believers, living at another point in the globe with a different culture. If we encounter another earnest believer living in a geographically distant place, we should embrace them as part of the same family of faith, both possessing the same seven ones.

This points away from individualism, where believers won’t fellowship with another sincere believer of a different house of worship. If we have “been raised with Christ” (Col 3:1), having a personal experience of being “made alive with Christ” (Col 2:5) and if we are “grow(ing) in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18), then we must acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit, the faith, and the same hope in the coming of Christ in those who may speak a different language and have different religious customs.

The one who is baptized by faith and belongs to the Baptist church, is no different than another person baptized in a Nazarene church. They both have the same baptism.

The Catholic lady that looks earnestly at the cross, asking in faith for forgiveness of sins. Her faith is the same as the Church of Christ member who has received forgiveness without looking at a statue of the cross. Both have the same faith.

One Hope

"God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope” (1 Tim 1:1). We all hold this one hope individually and all together. At the Second Coming, all believers from the distant past to the present, “will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess 4:17). While “we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

One Faith and One Baptism

There may be many different faith chapels where believers find a place to fellowship and work together. The Spirit wishes all chapels of faith to regard other believers as in the “Body of Christ” (Eph 4:12) as much as they are themselves. There is only one faith and one baptism that saves. All are saved the same way as another.

One Faith and One Baptism: IF

 The faith in Christ in one church is no different from faith in another congregation: IF…

• If their faith is based on the “love of Christ” (Eph 3:18) and the “love of God in your hearts” (John 5:42)

• If they both “worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

• If they “love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7,8)

• If they are not living in darkness of any kind of hate: “Anyone who claims to be in the light [a Christian] but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness” (1 John 2:9)

• If the love of wealth and money is foremost in their ministry: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim 6:10).

• If in their midst there is “sexual immorality or any kind of impurity” in speech or action that is tolerated among them (Eph 5:3-6). And if husbands in their congregation do not “love their wives” (Eph 5:25), and divorce is common and accepted.

• With every group that pretends to be Christian, you will know if this true, by their fruits. Are the fruits of the Spirit clear in their midst? This is far from a complete list, for we must be prayerful about fellowship, for there are many false leaders and teachers in the Christian Community. We should listen to John’s warning: “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God” (3 John 9-11)

If believers reject each other over minor points of theology, while both groups have the same hope and faith in Christ as they do. They are running contrary to the ministry of the Spirit. Jesus said that we “should love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). There is room in the tent of faith “in Christ,” who forgives all our sins, for believers to sing and conduct worship different then another group. One group likes to sing with energy, with guitars and a drum set, whereas another group likes singing quietly with only piano or organ.

• “Whatever happens [above all], conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the (2#) one Spirit, striving together as (5#) one for 

Gift of God’s Grace

Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was [has been] given according to the [same] measure of Christ’s gift. [the gift of God’s Son to us] NKJV 

4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it NIV

To Each One of Us: God Gives Grace

Paul has been carrying the theme forward since the first part of this chapter. We, all together, share in the gift of grace. Just as we have the “seven ones” from the last four verses that unite us all, now there is one more to add, making it “eight ones” that unite all believers!!

Now it is grace that we all share. There is not a different grace for Europeans and another for Hispanics. No, it is one grace that has saved you, me, your church friends, as well as all believers in all north, all south, all west, and all east of your location. “For out of his fullness we have all received grace upon grace” (John 1:16, Evangelical Heritage Version).

What a privilege to share in the same grace we all have. Now believers are united in a unity that comes from both “the grace of God,” the “grace of Christ” (Gal 2:22; 1:6) and the Holy “Spirit of grace” (Heb 10:29).

From this grace we are justified, being found right before God: for “all are justified freely by his [God’s] grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom 3:24).

To the Colossian believers, Paul was encouraged that the “true message of the gospel” had come to them. As it now is “bearing fruit and growing throughout the world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace” (Col 1:6,7).

Once God’s grace is truly understood, believers will never want to be away from it. It is his gift to us, which is our anchor, our hope, our joy, and assurance that we are “loved by God” (Rom 1:7). Once God’s grace, mercy, and love are understood, there is found true “worship” in the “Spirit”.

God’s Gift: To Each One of Us Grace Has Been Given

Not "will be given" or "might be given"; it has been given. It is yours to claim since it was given to you. As if it were only for you, because it is so personal, yet for all others also it is personal. “And my God will meet all your needs [everyone’s] according to the riches [uncountable] of his glory [God’s honor] in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19).

What Is This Grace that is Given to Each Believer that Ever Has Come to Faith?

• Grace is too broad, too all-encompassing, too varied, and too rich to completely define it.

• Grace is too vibrant to measure, and too powerful to be contained in one location only.

• Grace is too heavy with blessings that no scale could weigh them, as God dispenses it.

• Grace is God’s love to us when we have been unloving to Him and others.

• Grace is forgiving, not just for our honest mistakes, but our rebellious ones and evil ones.

• Grace counts us as worthy and righteous when we are not, and we know it.

• Grace is not static, not like a gift at Christmas that is always the same, it is dynamic and explosive. 

• Grace is pregnant with potential, it sees our future, when currently we are really a mess.

• Grace has an unusual ability to see what needs to be done, to transform our current dismal state.

• Grace is like a mother that loves her growing child, even after discipline is needed.

• Grace is another name for God the Father, if it weren’t, then grace would not be so real and alive.

• Grace is holy because it comes from the person of God, it’s His possession.

• Grace is God’s gift that he freely gives us, as part of Himself.

• Grace is God’s eyes on us, looking for what good His grace can do for us, even as we lean away.

• Grace is an intangible as “God” Himself “is spirit” (Jn 4:24), it can’t be photographed but can be known.

• Grace is too much too much for us ever comprehend or understand in its fullness.

• Grace is directly from out of this world; it is the only means to bring us into eternity.

• Grace is the best, the greatest, the most sacred, and longest of anything that has lived on earth.

• Grace is designed by God to be very personal, and very uplifting of the inner human spirit.

• Grace is God’s undeserved favor, seen in His always freely leaning toward us.

• Grace is God reaching out to us because of His preeminent kindness to bless us.

• Grace is God’s love directed toward unworthy and unruly sinners.

• Grace is God’s desire to be Father to us, to care for us, and to make His “home” (Jn 14:23) with us.

• Grace is available in China, Asia, Mexico, the tropics, and the deserts, all receive the “riches of God’s grace.”

• Grace is from God so huge, as the life of the Father Himself, it is unlimited and unmeasured.

• “This grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ” (Eph 3:8).

• “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Eph 3:16).

• “God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).

• “My goal [in teaching and preaching] is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ” (Col 2:2).

• "How much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” (Rom 5:15).

Measure of Christ…is the Measure of the Gift of Grace

It is unmeasurable. From the Father’s point of view, His grace is as great as His love for His Son. When we are by faith brought “in Christ”, we are in the vicinity where God’s love is revealed, next to His Son. “In the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace [in the redeemed], expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7).

Ephesians 4:8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts [from His grace] to his people.” 4:9 What does “he ascended” mean, except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?  4:10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe [cosmos]. NIV

4:8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men.” 4:9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 4:10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. NKJV

The Text

These two verses are a poetic celebration, sung by believers who witnessed these events. They compared Jesus' birth to descending to the lower parts of the earth. His resurrection is seen as ascending to fill the whole universe—with the believers he has promised to take with him. They believed that Jesus would save a multitude of believers and envisioned the Gospel having an everlasting global effect. The Gospel is the greatest movement, across all generations and political boundaries—of all time.

When he ascended on High, he Took Many Captives and Gave Gifts to His People.

It would be easy to hear the early church celebrate the gifts of the Spirit as they recalled the opened graves of long-ago believers who had ascended into heaven with Jesus (Matt 27:52). We can imagine some in the group had witnessed this scene. They would have had first-hand knowledge that they would soon follow to be with Jesus.

Furthermore, they would have witnessed, or known someone who was there, when the Spirit came upon early believers as wind and fire (Acts 2:1-4). Some had been given the ability to share the Gospel in a language they had not previously known. They could have been given some evangelistic gifts, such as healing.

Gave Gifts to Men

God has given many specific gifts to individuals, as He did to the Apostle Paul. God gives gifts to believers year by year. Thank God for these gifts. Just count, if you can, the gifts you have received from the ever-ready and ever-caring hands of the Father, through His Son and the Holy Spirit. “If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Lk 11:13). In God’s mind, the gift of the Spirit is the best of all gifts.

He Descended to Lower Earthly Regions

Christ has made provision for the worst possible sinner in the lowest depths of human despair. He reaches the worst of human conditions: enclaved people, those in city slums, and families that have lost everything in storms, floods, and war. In the French trench dugouts of WWI, boys called on God for saving grace.  From this condition of human desperation, “grace” is “given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor 1:4). Grace is available to all the outcasts in the lower regions of the earth and in its darkest corners. 

Consider Mother Teresa, who, with her nuns, visited the poorest homes to teach and aid hundreds of people.

Consider George Müller (1805-1895), who rescued hundreds of orphans in England by faith and prayer. These are two examples of how Christ has provided grace, mostly unseen, to humans in despair. In the many charities that manage disaster areas around the world, God is blessing them with grace for their missions, unseen by them.

Fill the Whole Universe

This will take place after the resurrection, when the redeemed from all time will have a lasting positive influence throughout the entire cosmos. This is when the “redeemed of the Lord” (Isa 62:12) are so large a number that their presence is seen in the entire cosmos.

Ephesians 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 4:12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. NIV

4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. NKJV

The Text

The Greek word for works of service (NIV) is diakonia: Service, ministry, office, relief, and support. It applies to missions, teaching, and ministries. These ministries were intended to build up various ministries of Christian service.

When Christ, at his resurrection, “ascended on high…he gave gifts to his people” (Eph 4:8). The giving of gifts has gone on in every generation, every family, and every individual. The gifts Paul is presenting here are meant to minister the Gospel story to others. Some have received gifts to operate charities to aid those in need. Some may operate businesses that employ believers; some may be medical workers, not seeking wealth but seeking to give as much of themselves as possible to others in need. We can't map out Christ's footsteps in human history. He has given gifts of talent, muscle, and intellect to build up the whole church, year after year, day after day.  

What the Spirit gave the early believers after Pentecost differs from what the Spirit gives today. From time to time, we see how some individuals or groups have the influence and financial backing to do much good in disasters and wars. In the faces of the relief workers, the hand of Christ is seen, so that thanksgiving can flow to the Giver of all good gifts. In the process, believers’ faith is built up, and thanksgiving to God flows.

Gave Gifts: First Apostles

The very first gifts God gave the world are found in the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, Peter, John, and Paul. These are paired with the stories of faith in the early church from the book of Acts. “God has placed in the church first of all Apostles” (1 Cor 12:28).

The message of these Apostles is unparalleled in human history in its power to regenerate, convert, elevate humanity, and teach truth and expose darkness—year after year, day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute. Around the world, from top to bottom, they are always fresh, repeated, memorized, and read again and again—with new power, as if we had never seen them before.

The Apostles are of primary importance, as they continued Jesus' ministry for all believers. Their number cannot be increased, for they are witnesses of Christ’s life. Their witness as Apostles is unbreakable, so powerful that millions have died, sacrificed many things in their firm confidence in the words and teaching of the Apostles. They are indestructible by any government, king, or the prince of evil himself. They witness to “THE TRUTH of the gospel” (Gal 2:5), and “the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph 1:13)

Gave Gifts: Second Prophets

“God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets” (1 Cor 12:28).

Believers stand on a finished, “already laid” foundation. First of all is the cornerstone, the largest and most solid stone that can bear the entire weight of the walls and the building on top of it. It also aligns the wall with the building, giving the entire structure durability and accuracy. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 3:11).

The Prophets, such as Isaiah, and the Psalms point us to the coming of Christ and his atoning death for sin. The Old Testament accounts provide a historical foundation for Jesus and the Apostles. No one, no organization, and no other religion can come anywhere close to the historical stories that build faith in the Messiah.

Gave Gifts: Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers
God gives gifts to local Christian fellowships around the world—men and women who bear witness in teaching and preaching the gospel. God gifts millions in every generation to “proclaim concerning the Word of Life…proclaim to you the Eternal Life” (1 John 1:1,2), so “that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (John 3:15). Believe this. 

God has given gifts generously; He has renewed them in every generation. In homes, workplaces, pulpits, kitchens, front-room sitting parlors, and classrooms all over the world. These gifts come from Christ, “prepared in advance” (Rom 9:23), for preaching and teaching the Gospel and for uplifting influences on the world at large.

Thus, teach: Pastor-teachers should know that Christ has distributed their talents to enrich others, not themselves. Therefore, those who receive gifts, their mission should be similar in nature to Jesus’ mission statement: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Lk 4:18).

Jesus has warned us that “false prophets” (Matt 24:24), or false teachers, will appear. How can we tell the difference between false and true teachers? They must be firmly planted in Scripture, especially the New Testament. They must not overemphasize one aspect of the faith that the Apostles did not give the same importance in their writings, then twist that truth into the central pillar of faith. This is a false prophet.

Sadly, false prophets, and teachers or pastors, have established new religious movements, placing themselves in the center and teaching a blend of truth with additions added, as if Scriptures are not complete without the practice they recommend.

The Body of Christ May Be Built Up

The Corinthian church gave Paul much trouble, as he had to write several chapters to defend himself against a large group of vocal detractors. The problems were systemic in the church, as Paul wrote to them, “For I am afraid that somehow when I come…that somehow there may be quarreling, jealousy, intense anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder” (2 Cor 12:20). Yet how did Paul deal with these disruptive elements within the church? He wrote to them, “For if I boast somewhat more about the authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so” (2 Cor 10:8).

We will know whether God has equipped pastors and teachers in the church or in its collegiate halls. “You will know them by their fruits” (Matt 7:16 NKJV).

We can ask. Do they build up others or tear down those who disagree with their narrative? Their view of truth? We know of a situation where a church president removed pastors without a hearing because he did not like their narrative. They made no effort to build up trust and love between them; the president just acted in his capacity with absolute authority. Yet many in the congregation could see that these actions taken by district leaders represent apostasy from “truth and love” (2 John 1:3).

John wrote, “To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth” (2 John 1:1). This president, I fear, had not yet learned the truth about love that builds up and makes those we disagree with better, as far as possible.

Paul never used his authority to tear others down. Paul says God gave him “authority…for building you up, not for tearing you down” (2 Cor 13:10).

• “So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another” (Rom 14:19).

• “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up” (Rom 15:2).

The Fivefold Ministry Gifts

Apostles Foundational Witnesses:

To lay the groundwork of truth, provide the New Testament witness, and establish the church’s global mission.

Prophets & Visionary

To point to the Messiah, as in Isaiah and Psalms, and provide the historical foundation for our Faith.

Evangelists Proclaimers

To take the "Word of Life" into the world, seeking out the lost and bringing them into the family of God.

Pastors, Shepherds 

To care for the local fellowship, protecting the flock from "false prophets" and guiding them in Love.

Teachers, Instructors

To ground the believers in the Apostles' doctrine and help them grow in the "complete understanding" of Christ.

 Ephesians 4:13 [Body of Christ, believers are built up] until we all reach unity in [of] the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. NIV

4:13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature [mature] of the fullness of Christ NKJV

Unity in the Faith

Let’s dismiss the idea that requires members to agree with a well-defined set of doctrines mandated by the church. Although some or most of these doctrinal statements may be good, this is not the unity Paul is speaking about. It is unity in being Christlike, the fullness of Christ.

Colossians is the companion book to Ephesians. Paul calls the believers in Colossians “God’s chosen people.” They were all together: “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Col 3:12-14). This is true Christian unity, which is impossible for any secular group to attain, for selfishness will dominate. This is the kind of unity that is shared in healthy marriages and families.

Knowledge of the Son of God

The knowledge of God and His Son, learning and relying on the “goodness of your love” (Ps 109:21), “the gift of God’s grace” (Eph 3:2), and God’s kindness” (Rom 2:4), are the highest joys of life. To know God is to know his Son. This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent” (John 17:3). These are the major themes of the Gospel teacher.

Knowledge of God

The highest joys of life. To know God and to know His Son.

To praise and love God and His Son is the premium gift of all things we can attain to in our lives. Before long, we will see God's goodness in our everyday activities. We become more aware of God’s gifts—our spouse, children, home, food, and the opportunities that life has granted to us.

David could pray, “According to Your mercy remember me,” and I pray, “For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord” (Ps 25:7 NKJV). “The goodness of God endures continually” (Ps 52:1 NKJV), and it really, really does!

David wanted to live so that he could see God’s goodness in his life. “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Ps 27:13 NKJV).

God, with His Son, blesses millions of people at once, as if He gave each person His immediate attention to their call and small needs. David learned that God answers our prayers out of his goodness: “Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me” (Ps 69:16).

God answers prayers because of His goodness; He overlooks our many sins of omission and commission. Of our many mistakes in biblical knowledge and our many faults, some yet unknown and others we are yet to know. God passes over all this in our lives. Even if we are ungrateful and wasteful of our time—yet He gives us attention to even small matters that concern just one person.

Private worship is praising and thanking God for His many blessings. Public worship should be an overflow of united praise and thanksgiving to the Giver of all good gifts.

 Sadly, many have made public worship into history lessons. They often go over points of doctrine and emphasize tithing. This is considered knowledge of God and His Son, but it is not. Often, the church service leaves little time for praise and thanksgiving. Worse yet is a congregation that comes to church without much praise in their hearts.

Altogether, we are called to peace, not war with each other. This keeps us in keeping with knowing the Son of God and His Son.

• “What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?”  Ps 116:12

Fullness is Not Perfection

When Christ “ascended on high” (Eph 4:8), He gave gifts to “build up” (Eph 4:12) the believers. This process of building us up is ever-evolving, always going higher.

John takes a hammer to the idea that fullness of Christ is to be understood as reaching a point of complete fullness, which one would say they have reached a point of perfection. John says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us…If we claim that we have not sinned, we make Him [God] out to be a liar…” (1 John 1:8,10). In other words, if we say we have nothing to confess or ask for forgiveness, we declare God Himself to be a liar, because God knows this is not true at all. We will never reach a point of absolute sinlessness until we arrive at the shores of Heaven. There will always be more to learn and more wisdom and understanding to grow in.

As Jesus taught about the sowing of the Gospel seed said, “soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head” (Mark 4:28). This is what it means to be mature, each one becoming mature according to their intended ability, over their lifetime.

Fullness of Christ

The Greek word for fullness means to be mature and full-grown. It is seen in growing through the stages of life from childhood to a mature, responsible adult. This involves increased strength and the wisdom for making decisions that comes with age and experience, “so that you may discern what the good, pleasing, and perfect [full] will of God is. (Rom 12:2, Christian Standard Bible). This isn't learned in a few days; it comes over time, through life's challenges.

Believers Must Learn to Pray with Maturity

Like Jesus prayed, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:9-10). Often, we pray without maturity. We want God to do our will instead of waiting patiently for God to reveal His will for us.

Fullness of Christ

The concept of the fullness of Christ is based on the idea that in the life and teaching of Christ and what the Apostles proclaimed and what the Spirit is sent to do for us—there is, all together, all we need to grow to maturity. There is more than enough than we, as believers, could ever need. We never need to turn to other supposed sources of spiritual water to be healthy. There is abundant fullness in Christ, our Savior. “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Col 1:19-20).

Take note: God has made full and adequate provision that we can be reconciled to God—welcomed, shielded, and sealed with His Spirit to keep us safe from the loss of faith and love.

Nothing is lacking in the gospel story to guide us safely to the heavenly shores. Jesus has promised us, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). As in life there is always more to learn, more to explore, more places to visit, more love to be given, more kindness to be shared, more praise to God to be spoken, more help to the helpless to be offered. In the same way, daily we are to grow in the knowledge of God and His Son as the days and years of our lives pass by. We will always need prayer, more understanding of Scripture, and help for the person God has placed in our pathway. Always looking to live to honor God and His Son whom we love.

Learning to Act Like Mature Believers

Paul sets a goal for us as we march across the sands of time. Every year and every month, challenges require us to move toward acting like mature believers. The first step is knowing the Gospel account. Knowledge from your own experience of how to love, to have peace, to live free from guilt, to be kind and gentle, to be sincere and devoted to your Lord Jesus Christ.

As mature believers, we “build up” (Eph 4:12) each other in love, teaching them the knowledge of the Son of God. We do this, even if other believers don’t respect or love you in return. Christ has set this example for us. Can we embrace it when it is very difficult? When other believers have not learned these lessons and are arrogant and judgmental toward others.

As mature believers, we know our maturity is seen in our unity of faith. Just as God in Christ sought us out, so mature believers seek out others to help in any way they can.

Unity of Faith

Unity of faith is finding agreement with others and building others up to develop their walk of faith so that, together, we “live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). It means we seek ways to build up faith in God’s promises, faith in Jesus Christ, and knowledge in “the message we have heard from him [Jesus] and declare to you: God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.” We know that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:5,9).

Unity in the Faith

This is our goal: to respect other believers, even those not in the same congregation or fellowship.

Paul has already talked about this unity that he called the “bond of peace” (4:3). In practical terms, it means we are to “make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Rom 14:19). “Let all things be done in a way that builds people up” (1 Cor 4:26 EHV). A mature person will not permit “bitter roots (to) grow up” in their hearts; if they do, they will “fall short of the grace of God” (Heb 12:15), not able to find fullness in Christ.

Out of “His Fullness” we are Given “Grace for Grace” (John 1:16 NKJV).

Grace upon grace, in the mornings of our lives, and in the evenings of our lives. Every day of our lives. "The riches of full assurance" (Col 2:2 NKJV) is available. There is nowhere else in our wide world where we can receive Divine Grace that loves us, favors us, adopts us, and promises us a resurrection into a new existence out of this world—family of God. NOWHERE!

We, believers, are privileged, unlike anyone who thinks their own wealth or political power makes them feel superior. We, as believers, have something far better; we are “built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (2:22).

We are so privileged, in the morning or nighttime, to be welcomed as we “draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings” (Heb 10:22). That we believe the promise: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find” (Matt 7:7).

We are given a grace, a favor, a blessing completely undeserved and unearned: “to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” (3:19). This is no ordinary love. It is not of this world. It comes from the Spirit of God, for “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Rom 5:5). What fullness there is for us believers, in the security of God’s love, forgiveness, grace, precious promise, and that we are so gifted with God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to teach us, guide us, and channel the fullness of Christ into our lives.

Growing Up into Maturity, In the Way of Love

Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 4:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together [by love] by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part (gifts) does its work. NIV

4:14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. NKJV

The Problem in Christian Society

False teachings are characterized as winds that are constantly moving. Many different religious ideas deceive people. The number of religions is so large that we are not sure we could make an accurate count. Some are very strange, such as the belief that a true believer can handle venomous snakes without harm.

False teachers create new religions that are deceitful and seem true. As Jesus said, “false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matt 24:24).

Paul’s Advice to Us: To Save Us from Being Deceived

First: Speak the Truth in Love. True Gospel teachers center their messages on love. As John described it: “If anyone obeys his [Christ] word, love for God is truly made complete [mature] in them. This is how we know we are in him [Jesus Christ]” (1 John 2:5). The words of Jesus will generate love inside the believer. In contrast, the words of a false teacher will generate confusion or fear and demand things that are not true to the Word. If a Christian's faith has not resulted in love for God and His Son whom He sent to us, their faith is very immature. False teachers center their teaching on the commandments of men, and love for one another and for God is largely absent. As Jesus taught us, “In vain, they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt 15:9 NKJV)

Second: Make Christ the Head of all theology. This means Christ-centered teaching that grows and matures in love for God and one another. If the central teachings are theories or long-held traditions of former esteemed teachers, or if the central teachings are based on a prophet, even of the Old Testament, it will lack true unity, where the whole body of believers is held together by Christ at the top, in the center, and at the foundation. Discarding all other traditions considered vital because Christ or his Apostles did not teach them.

Paul warns in 1 Timothy chapter 6 about false teachers who do “not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching. He says, “they are conceited and understand nothing.” They think they know everything and are proud of it. They believe they alone have the truth.

• “They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words.” They argue over things that don’t matter at all, such as dress styles, dietary rules, strange marriage customs, or advocating that Old Testament civil law should be kept today.

• “Who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain” (1 Tim 6:3-5). They often talk about money and are constantly asking for more donations, often with little to no transparency. 

Deceitful Scheming: How Not to Be Deceived?

Remember what Jesus said: “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher” (Luke 6:40). Jesus is our only Teacher.

A fully trained student has spent time with the master to learn his ways. The student, who is every believer, should never consider themselves “above their teacher.” No gospel teacher has any right whatsoever to promote any added test, any added theology, any added ideas not required by Jesus or his Apostles.

All of us should be assured that our own fellowship group does not request or demand things not clearly written in the New Testament. We should know what Jesus and his Apostles have taught as truth for ourselves.

Every Passing Wind, Every New Idea Created by Deceitful Teachers

Every wind means religious teachings that sweep through society as new ideas to be embraced as an advanced form of special truth. However, it is often beyond what Jesus or the Apostles taught. It rests on the credibility of a teacher who may claim to be a modern prophet.

We should take seriously what Paul said, “even if we [some pretending to be Paul] or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse” (Gal 1:8). In other words, we should test what we have been told is truth by what Paul is teaching, who was commissioned as an Apostle of Christ.

Every wind of teaching is an expression denoting doctrine and teachings which are new or very popular, with no or marginal support from the teaching of Christ. They are founded on supposed truth, not on the “fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13). They center on human authority rather than the teaching of Christ. As Jesus said about false teachers, “they worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules” (Matt 15:9).

Some make a strong, one-sided Scriptural defense of their teaching, which makes it very difficult to discern truth from error. 

Masquerading as Apostles, False Gospel and False Holy Spirit

Even in Paul’s day, the early churches were troubled by false teachers claiming to be apostles. Paul was very concerned about this, saying they are “false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Cor 11:3). When listening to a teacher taught by Satan appearing as an angel in dreams or visions, we should be very cautious about adding new things to the Gospel account as requirements. This is one of his most useful deceptions.

Paul is saddened that the Corinthian church did not have discernment, “For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough” (2 Cor 11:4).

Similarly, false teachers also deceived the Galatians. Paul said to them, “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Gal 3:1). Paul was very troubled about false teachers that pervert the gospel: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if an angel from heaven, or we, should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! (Gal 1:6-8).

If the early church was so quickly deceived, we should beware of the ever-present danger of false teachers who create a following around themselves.

The Head is Christ

All teaching should be Christ-centered and Christ-uplifting. In Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, he kept “asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Eph 1:17). This is the goal of every sermon and Bible study, as well as our personal lives, for we wish to know Him better and better.

Be careful of ministers who talk more about themselves than Christ. Be careful of ministers who talk frequently about money while living a rich lifestyle. For we should remember that Jesus never called for offerings, nor did the disciples, except when collecting an offering for the poor. As Peter, James, and John told Paul, “That we [Paul’s team] should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along” (Gal 2:10).

Grows…Every Ligament…Builds Itself Up in Love

Paul compares believers to a human body that grows from a child to an adult. This body of believers grows up by Christ’s teachings week by week. It is nourished and is held together by love for God and one another, in Christ. This is how the body of believers becomes fruitful, because every believer, with their “gifts” (Eph 4:8), strives to keep their love for each other by “the Spirit” (Eph 4:3). 

Although the concept of every ligament is primarily attuned to individuals in the Christian Community all working together, having “different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Cor 12:4). Through the teaching ministry of the Spirit, we can know if the gifts God has given to us are balanced in love. Prayer will reveal these truths to you.

Jesus Has Warned Us About False Teachers

Jesus has already warned us, saying, “False Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matt 24:24).

• Some false teachers take on authority and inspiration, making themselves nearly equal to Scripture.

• Some false teachers teach new doctrines that are said to come from God or an angel, “to deceive the inhabitants of the earth” (Rev 13:14).

• Some false teachers center attention on their lives and their authority.

• Some false teachers present special truth that separates believers from “unity in the Faith of Christ” (Eph 4:1), by making their view so special that all others are excluded.  They lead “astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3) by adding requirements.

• Some false teachers have placed themselves on a high spiritual status in which their followers search their writings to know the truth, placing Scriptures at a secondary level.

Instead, Speaking the Truth in Love

This is the opposite example of the false winds of doctrine. Teaching the truth in love, we come to realize that God “chose us before creation of the world to be” in His presence “in love He predestined us for adoption,” to Himself, “in accordance with His [good] pleasure and will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. (Eph 1:4-6). Teaching in love shows that “no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ” (2 Cor 1:20).

• Mature believers in Christ know they are part of the “Body of Christ” (4:12); thus, they teach in love and display goodness and kindness to all.

• Mature believers have a knowledge of Scripture that is not shallow or focused on uncertain applications.

Mature believers will study Paul’s themes of justification by faith. Paul has dedicated chapters to this subject. As in Romans 3-5,7-8 and Galatians 2-5.

Mature believers will study the ministry of the Holy Spirit as Jesus and the Apostles have taught. Jesus dedicated nearly three complete chapters to the ministry of the Spirit, in John 14-16. The Apostle Paul has made so many references to the Spirit’s ministry that we cannot count them all.

Mature believers speak the truth; they live the truth of the “message of the gospel” (Acts 15:7), the “message of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph 1:13). They are “rooted and grounded in love…the love of Christ” (3:17,18).

Mature believers know that of all the doctrines that may be required, the “greatest” of all these teachings “is love” (1 Cor 13:13). “If any man loves not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maranatha” (1 Cor 16:22 KJV). Correct doctrines, without the love of God in our hearts, and “the love of Christ” (3:18), outward toward others, is an anathema.

Each Part Does Its Work

No single leader can build up the body of believers to maturity. God uses different people, all different “lovers of God” (2 Tim 3:4).  A good leader will place others with gifts from the Spirit above himself or herself. No one person will seek to be above all others in gifts or ideas. This is how God wants the church to be held together and balanced on the scales of love based on humility.

Reminding Us: Not To Live Like Unbelievers

Ephesians 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live [walk] as the Gentiles [unbelievers] do, in the futility of their thinking. 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 4:19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 4:20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned. 4:21 When you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. NIV

4:17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 4:18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 4:19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. NKJV

·         “I tell you this” (NIV) or “I say, therefore” (NKJV)

·         I insist on it in the Lord (NIV) or “I testify in the Lord” (NKJV)

·         That you must” (NIV) or “you should no longer” (NKJV)

·         “So, I’m telling you this,  and I insist on it in the Lord:  you shouldn’t live your life like…” Common English Bible

The NKJV phrase “I testify in the Lord” is very accurate in the Greek. It means Paul is giving us vital instruction from God’s authority. There is a very serious warning in Paul’s words, which carries the highest weight of authority, as if coming directly from our Lord Jesus. 

This threefold warning is unique. It is the only place where Paul prefaces his following comments with three positive commands. What he must tell them, he must tell us today. It is very important, and we should listen carefully to what he is about to tell us. To neglect it is very serious.

“The Way You Learned” (4:20)

So, you will Not Live Like Your Old Life

 God appeals to all of humanity weakened by ignorance, darkness, and loss of sensitivity to what is right and wrong. It is a multi-colored and multi-faceted appeal. He varies His appeal to humans who are driven by greed to possess more and more. Sinners are asleep and unaware of their sins that have separated them from God Himself.

God has many, many ways to reach ignorant humans. In Paul’s special instructions, he continues for the next twelve verses to the end of this chapter. Then the theme changes at the beginning of the next chapter.

We are to “put on the new self, created to be like God” (Eph 4:24). In Colossians, the companion book to Ephesians, Paul again teaches the same theme of taking off the old self, our former lives as unbelievers—and putting on the new self, daily renewed into the image of God Himself. He gives us a list of ten things to put on in our lives.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with

(1) compassion, (2) kindness, (3) humility,

(4) gentleness, and (5) patience. (7) Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

And over all these virtues (8) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

(9) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

And (10) be thankful.” Col 3:12-14

Paul teaches us how to be at peace with God.

“We have been justified through faith,” now “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1). In Romans, Paul writes several chapters about our former way of life. Then, from Romans 3 to 8, he teaches us that we are justified before God by faith alone and the ministry of the Spirit. For “the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom 8:6). There is no insensitivity to sin and no hardening of our hearts, but instead a willing heart and a deep desire to do the will of God.

Paul teaches us about God’s “Glorious Grace”

In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul shows that God chose us “before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight” (Eph 1:4). It was God’s pleasure to give us His Son, who will enable us to stand in His presence with eternal life.

“Futility of their Thinking,” Gentiles’ Thoughts are Without Any Lasting Meaning:

They have no truth that will last. Most importantly, they don’t know the difference between right and wrong, or truth and error. Much of their thinking is foolish, such as the trivial arrangement of clothes and their hair—trivial details and commands that order the lives of others to do their pleasure. 

Paul describes the source of evil in our world as not dependent on the temptations of Satan, because the Gentiles have their understanding darkened. There is no compassion, and no consideration of the troubles of others, unless it is for their advantage. They take human life and abuse others, with no consideration of justice for the ones they have harmed and hurt.

Gentiles Separated from the Life of God

Jesus describes how evil arises not just from outside temptations. “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly” (Mark 7:21,22).

Many blame the problem of evil on God. Paul places the source of evil in the darkness, ignorance, and hardening of human hearts from within. Paul describes pagan Gentiles as those “whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron” (1 Tim 4:2).

They have become in themselves an image of the Devil, whom Jesus described as a liar and murderer: “He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

Even if the devil and all his cohorts of fallen angels would take a vacation on the moon, the evil from within us would continue to drive our fallenness into more evil—all on our own. The natural inclinations of our broken wills are toward disobedience, and “self-seeking and who reject the truth” (Rom 2:8). Impurity—inner defilement of heart and life—will always exist apart from Christ.

Ephesians Must Not Fall Back to their Gentile Insensitive Behavior

Now the Ephesians must not return to their former pagan habits. As believers in the Lord Jesus, they have the “eyes of their understanding…enlightened” (Eph 1:8). They are “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8) and “made alive in the Spirit” (1 Pet 3:18).

Paul insists that all believers must no longer live like their pagan neighbors. He recognizes the pull of self-indulgence and evil on new believers. It is easy to become a Christian while still holding on to cultural customs and old habits not found in the Christian faith. 

Paul gives us nine descriptions of evil that spring from within the human heart. “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Those who “love darkness” enjoy doing deeds of darkness; they are in concert with the kingdom of “outer darkness” (Matt 8:12).

Whereas those “Born of the Spirit” (John 3:8) enjoy “helping those in trouble and devoting” themselves “to all kinds of good deeds” (1 Tim 5:10).

1.      Futility of their thinking (4:17)—Foolishness and aimlessness, such as obsessing over trivial details of appearance. Today, seen in the foolishness of endless media and digital distractions that can add to the already darkened mind.

2.      Darkened understanding (4:18): What they think is right is wrong; what is good is bad. To reason with them is nearly impossible. Jesus testified about the condition of humanity, “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes” (Matt 13:15).

3.      Separated from the life of God (4:18): They don’t know God, who has declared of Himself, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Ex 34:6,7). They have very twisted, false views of God, which affect how they treat other people and how they live their lives.

4.      Ignorance within them (4:18): When they are living in spiritual darkness, they falsely feel they are wise and better than others.

5.      Hardening of their hearts (4:18): They may have had contact with the Christian faith but rejected it and now have no interest at all. They are insensitive to spiritual values. “They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin” (2 Pet 2:14 ESV).

6.      Lost sensitivity (4:19): They don’t care about hurting, abusing, stealing, or killing another person. They have lost the sense of compassion and mercy. After stealing from others, they feel no regret or sorrow for those who lost their personal possessions. The pain they cause others is not any of their concern. “They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness” (Ps 82:5 NKJV).

7.      Given over to sensuality (4:19): Sexual desires are seen as a necessity, with no desire to control these impulses. They live self-centered lives, for self-pleasure, “in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God” (1 Thess 4:5 NKJV).

8.      Indulge themselves in impurity (4:19): Roman culture included prostitution, on the streets for sale and in some Roman temples. Romans did not look down on this practice. At that time in history, there were no sexual diseases to create any self-restraint.

9.      Full of greed (4:19): Always wanting more, schemes of extortion or taking advantage of others who are weaker. New cars, big homes, racks of shoes and clothes more than one person can use.  All the fancy electronic equipment they can buy, with a desire to own more and more material possessions; even if others around them are in need, it does not matter.

There is no one righteous, not even one,

there is no one who seeks God.

All have turned away,

there is no one who does good, not even one.

Rom 3:11-18

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all. Isa 56:6

God’s Plan Does Not Require Obedience Before He Accepts Us

It is “the way you learned” (Eph 4:20). Because of our fallen, inherited natures and our incomplete understanding of God’s will in our lives, our power of choice is broken. Therefore, to be right before God, it is not required to do something good first. To do something that would please God first. This is impossible because our lives are separated from God's life. What we do, in terms of seeking the favor of God, is impossible.

We don’t have to do something worthy, some good deeds, to impress god. So that He would be at least willing to forgive us and receive us, in recompense for what we have done. Thankfully, God comes to us first. He comes offering us total and complete forgiveness and removal of all guilt. All God requests of us is “faith as small as a mustard seed” (Matt 17:20).

Thankfully, God does not wait for us to come up, by ourselves, with even a small amount of faith. He knows that such a task, required of us, would be impossible. We would all be hopelessly lost forever. Thus, God Himself has planted in us just enough faith to meet him.

How does God plant faith in an unbeliever? We are “included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph 1:13). Just hearing the Gospel story, just looking at the story of Jesus—God puts, God transplants enough faith into us. Then with His faith in our mouths, he justifies us for all our sins. “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom 10:8-9).

The Good News of the Gospel is that our Father puts in us faith; whereby we are justified before Him. We are declared guilt-free, innocent, and acceptable before all the heavenly host. Yet inside us, we still have many lessons to learn. We still have a bent toward evil learned in childhood and by our own helplessly addicted nature.

God, in his righteousness, dares to declare us righteous and welcome us into His presence with joy. It’s unbelievable! But it is true!

If God does not rescue us from our ignorance and frequent thoughts of cruel retaliation of others, nobody can. No one else could step into our human mess, take our hands, and lead us into a new way of life. “He [God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col 1:13).

God Takes the First Step Toward Us Sinners

Now: “being justified freely [God’s gift to us] by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…For we maintain [conclude] that a person is justified by faith [freely] apart from the works of the law [anything good required of us]” (Rom 3:24,28).

Note: Please take the time to read Romans chapters 3-5 & 8, asking God to give you understanding. Let these truths become fruitful in your heart and life. Just by being near God, we are transformed by His presence in our lives. We are changed and made new, renewed every day. Not by our own strength; that’s impossible: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom 5:6).

Of all the ministers, preachers, and teachers—from the most educated to the humblest—none of them stand anywhere near the authority of the Apostles. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you they have new light from God that we should obey. If that new light isn't endorsed by Jesus or his Apostles, it's fake.

Remember What I Taught You

Ephesians 4:20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned [were taught]. NIV

4:20 But you have not so learned Christ NKJV

 In the last verse, we reviewed some of the ways Paul taught the Ephesians how they came to know God. When their hearts were hard, and they were separated from God. He wants the Ephesians to never forget that their understanding was once darkened by impurity and greed. They once were from the “school of the world,” and now they are to daily enroll in “the school of Christ.”

Remember What you Learned

Paul is reasoning with some of the Ephesians who became followers of Christ Jesus but have slipped back into some of their old patterns of living, even while they claimed to be believers. He reminds them not to live a compromised life.

John, in the last letter to be added to the New Testament, has also warned us, saying, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them” (1 John 2:15).

To love the world means we live for material things—we love possessions. We falsely believe a good life means owning more material things than our neighbors. This kind of earth-centered love seeks to please the world, more than to please God. We must remember what really matters: love for God and others.

James reminds us all, “You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). John says, “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17).

Whoever lives just for this world faces a double loss: the loss of everything they owned—all their treasured possessions—and the next life also. For “the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare (2 Pet 3:10).

Paul wants the Ephesians believers not to go backward in their walk of faith, but to move forward.

The last instruction of Jesus, just as he left our earth, was his command to teach others “to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt 28:20). For our spiritual health, we need to remain focused on the life and teachings of Jesus.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31,32)

Early Christian Worship

In one sentence, Paul describes how early Christians conducted worship. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Col 3:16).

Every member of the church had a responsibility to keep Jesus' message fresh and alive. They were to teach one another. They were to sing songs from the Spirit, called “Spirit songs.” These songs were deeply moving, filled with praise and devotion. The hymns of the early church were Psalms-based, interspersed with reviews of the lessons learned about Christ and the Gospel. It was interactive—less “preacher to pew” and more “member to member”, sharing, loving, and singing together. It was all gospel-oriented.

Ephesians 4:21 When you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. NIV

4:21 If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: NKJV

This is the clearest statement on “what is truth” (John 18:38) that Pilate asked Jesus. Paul does not leave us to wonder and try to figure it out. He gives us the answer: it is in the life and teaching of Jesus that we find truth, all the truth. It was He who declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

Truth As It Is In Jesus

Paul claims that “from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ” (Rom 15:19), which is the “message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation” (Eph 1:13).

We should draw a circle with Christ’s name inside. From the circle, draw lines, calling them “truth” as learned from the teachings of Jesus and from Paul, Peter, John, and James--his appointed Apostles whom he trained and empowered.

Jesus continued his teaching through his Apostles, as Paul has affirmed: “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ” (Gal 1:12).

No “truth” is really any truth at all. If it cannot be found in the Gospel as taught by Jesus and his Apostles. They were a special group of people whom Jesus ministered to. In his prayer to the Father, he said, “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world [Apostles]. They were Yours; you gave them to me, and they have obeyed Your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me” (John 17:6,8).

Of all the ministers, preachers and teachers—from the most educated to the humblest—none of them stand anywhere near the authority of the Apostles. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you they have new light from God that we should obey. If that new light isn't endorsed by Jesus or his Apostles, it's fake.

Ephesians 4:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 4:23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 4:24 and to put on the new self [new person], created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. NIV

4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 4:23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 4:24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. NKJV

It is not hard to imagine Paul talking to this congregation, urging them to take off their old habits of life and to put on new habits. Urging them to recognize what long-established thoughts and action patterns must be changed. He wants them to see themselves as new and different people.

Today we are reminded of the political divide we place ourselves in, creating conflict with others. We are reminded of the hours given to Sports and movies that do not care about true righteousness. We are reminded to be more honest with our families, living without habits or vices that need to be hidden from others.

The Text

The NKJV says we are to be renewed, while the NIV says we are made new. The Greek word ananeoó means “to renew, to make new again.” This brings to mind transformation—a process of ongoing renewal. It is a dynamic, ongoing change, not a one-time experience.

Jesus told Nicodemus, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). The water is “the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). The Spirit washes us from inside our heart’s desires. Daily, we are built up stronger than before, with “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Eph 1:17).

This is made plain in other places in Scripture by the indwelling of the Spirit in our lives. As Jesus promised us, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16). The Spirit is sent to us as a teaching ministry, every day of our lives.

 The Old Testament Hebrew teaches the same concept: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Ps 51:10). The Hebrew word for renew is Chadash, meaning to repair, restore, and rebuild. It means renewing a clear, clean conscience with increased trust in God to change you and lead you in paths of peace and honorable behavior. This is not a one-time-for-all experience; it is daily. Over time, through morning prayers and the study of Scripture, we become a new self. Vastly different than in the past. And we know it is true, and we prefer the New Self so much more than the Old Self.

Believers are to “grow to become” (Eph 4:15), more like Christ, week by week. Jesus repeats this truth that believers are to grow through the illustration of a plant, saying, “though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches” (Matt 13:32).

Renewed by the Blood of Christ

Renewal is applied and received by us through faith in the blood of Christ’s atonement on the cross.

Mentally focus on the cross of Christ, coming “poor in Spirit” (Matt 5:3). There, we admit to God that we are unable to save ourselves. We freely admit that we have nothing to give; we are spiritually penniless and broken, with no excuses and nothing to recommend us to God—except you plead for the atonement accomplished on the cross. To ask God to apply the redemption gained by Christ to us, to change us, and to renew us.

This is the heart of worship. “When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit” (Eph 1:13).

• Come to the Cross of Christ to be “justified by his blood” (Rom 5:9). Declared to be right before God, as you are, complete in him with no fault from your past to condemn you. We “know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So, we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified” (Gal 2:16). The works of the law are anything that the law requires of you.  Faith is first and primary, always.

• Come to the Cross of Christ to claim your personal “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Eph 1:7). The blood of Christ, applied to our hearts by faith, provides eternal life, on the promise of God (John 3:16). 

• Come to the Cross of Christ: where you can receive “peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Col 1:20). Peace is a vivid sense of God’s living and calming presence.

• Come to the Cross of Christ: where “the blood of Jesus, His [God’s] Son, purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7). The blood of Christ provides the only means by which we can gain a love of purity, with the joy of holiness. The stains of sin are removed and replaced with new desires to be faithful to “the true message of the gospel” (Col 1:5).

• Come to the Cross of Christ: “to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” (Rev 1:5). The bondage to pride, selfishness, and desires to live independent of the law.

• Come to the Cross of Christ, where you are renewed by the Spirit, forgiven, loved, and accepted. Where you WILL be created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

When our consciences convict us of sin. When our words or thoughts bring us sorrow and guilt. What should we do?

Go to the cross in prayer, confess it all to God, and claim for yourself forgiveness and justification. Apply the blood of Christ, asking Jesus to change you, renew you, and forgive you from the inside. To give us a new heart, cleansed by His blood. God and His Son will do that for you. In time, short or a little longer, you will feel peace and freedom from the bondage of our broken ways and habits.

Changed in Our Minds

First, let’s list the tools for our spiritual growth so that we can be renewed, rejuvenated, and transformed. Paul uses several illustrations to show the changes that are to take place.

“made new” (4:23 NIV) or “renewed” (4:23 NKJV)—In our “minds” (NIV & NKJV)

“new self” (4:24 NIV) or “new man” (4:24 NKJV)

“created” (4:24 NIV & NKJV)—"To be like God” (4:24 NIV) in a righteous and holy life.

1.      Put off your old self—The way you used to live, corrupted by deceitful desires and lust, which is only revealed by the Spirit to us: the inappropriate thoughts we have held toward others. Everything starts with confession, which leads to repentance. Jesus, at the very start of His ministry, when he first “began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near '” (Matt 4:17). Repentance is the absolutely critical part of our transformation. Whatever offense comes to your mind, in prayer through Scripture, confess the truth of your behavior to God alone. Ask Him to give you true repentance, a sorrow and dislike of your former behavior. God will put off the old habit we just confessed and move us into new habits of purity and honesty. This change happens, and you will see it. You will feel different, with a new dislike of the former old habit or old self.

2.      Our minds are made new and transformed. Our attitudes and desires undergo a real, substantive mental change from within. We begin to see things in a different light. By way of example, the former blind man said to the church leaders, “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see” (John 9:15). Jesus said,

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46). You will “be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom 12:2).

3.      Put on the new self and become a “new creation” to be like God in righteousness.

This refers to what Jesus said was needed to enter the kingdom of heaven: “you must be Born Again” (John 3:7).

• “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!” (2 Cor 5:17 NET Bible)

• “God gave us his Spirit. And the Spirit doesn’t make us weak and fearful. Instead, the Spirit gives us power and love. He helps us control ourselves” (2 Tim 1:7 New International Reader's Version)

How to Put Off, to Dispose of our Unwanted Habits

The Greek word for put off is apotithémi, which implies deliberately removing or laying aside something that is no longer needed or is considered inappropriate. When the Spirit, through the Word of God, speaks to us about ourselves, our sins, or our habits that need to be confessed in prayer to God, the Spirit tells us we need more love in our lives because we have been selfish.

 “Now you must also rid yourselves.” The Greek word for “rid yourselves” is apotithémi, meaning “to put off”: “all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips” (Col 3:8).

Then it is time to pray. To ask God not to “keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Ps 51:9,10 NLT). Over time, sometimes very short, other times longer—God will replace the old careless habits that hurt others with a New Self that is polite and loving to the undeserving. It is the Lord’s doing.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10). We are God’s creation, His craftsmanship. We are built on His design for us because it is not us that has changed us—it is the work, the creation of God Himself, through faith in His Son and the ministry of the Spirit. We bear the fruits of the Spirit as evidence that we are changed and made new.

Prayer to God is the Only Way

The point we should not miss is that when we face intractable problems, we will be given faith “to pray and not to lose heart” (Lk 18:1). We are to pray and sing spiritual songs in our hearts. We are very privileged to ask God Himself, in the name of His Son, to give you strength to change, so you can move past a habit that is discouraging you. Pray for the creation of God to go deeper, to be more lasting, and to be part of our mind and soul.

Notice changes in your desires and the passions of your former life. Before you know it, you will have lost the temptation that formerly had control over you. You have a new power to say no, from an inner strength that the Spirit has given you. This inner strength is seen in new desires that do not want to dishonor your Lord. You will be “strengthened with the power through the Spirit in your inner being” to be “rooted and grounded in love”, the “love of Christ” (Eph 3:16-19).

 In your sinful nature, wrong thoughts will still often occur from time to time. However, the difference is you really don’t want to follow that path anymore. The call to go there may be present, but the desire to move in that direction is absent. It is always time, when confronted with old temptation, to ask God to take the suggestions that have come to your mind and to set you free. “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thess 5:24); “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Lk 1:37).

Paul Continues the Subject of Spiritual Growth

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully [with honesty] to your neighbor, for we are all members [parts] of one body. NIV

4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. NKJV

Of all the long list of bad habits that Paul could have named, under the general title “deceitful desires” of the “old self” (Eph 4:22), he names just one first. Paul points out a habit that he considers as fundamental as any point of doctrine. The top of Paul’s list is honesty.

Paul does not merely repeat the ninth Commandment, which says, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor” (Ex 20:16). He takes it further, including all falsehood that may not defraud or defame our neighbor directly. This could mean hiding the truth, or all the truth, for financial gain, or being disingenuous by telling less than the truth for selfish reasons. He calls us to be transparent, open, and trustworthy toward each other.

Paul teaches honesty, not just for ourselves. It is not just because it is good for our conscience, our marriage, or our businesses, but because it unites honesty with our baptism, which has brought us into a larger body of believers. Paul wants them to see themselves not just as individuals, but as part of a larger group than our immediate friends and family—all who call on the name of the Lord in “sincerity and truth” (1 Cor 5:8).

Thus, when we are dishonest with one person, as part of a larger group of believers, it influences many others. Honesty was essential for the spiritual health of the larger group. Perhaps if Paul were to print the church bulletin, which often has short statements of faith—he would place honesty at the front and center. It is the social fabric of a church.

Therefore, Each of You

Since you have been “renewed” and re-“created” (Eph 4:23) by God and given a “new self” (Eph 4:24), we must put off all falsehoods and gossip about others that are not really facts, and be truthful.

Why? Because we are parts of one body. We are like a limb, of the same body, one body of Christ, the gospel by faith in Christ through “one Spirit” (Eph 4:4). The concept of one body has been used five times in Ephesians (2:16; 3:6; 4:4,25; 5:29). Thus, if believers are “in Christ,” with other believers “in Christ” (Rom 1:1,3,9,12,13; 2:1,6,7,10,13; 3:6,11,21; 4:32), they must be truthful.

The reason why we must tell the truth to each other is that we are all members of the “body of Christ” (4:12) and thus: Would we lie to Christ our Savior, who lives in another believer in Christ?

We must tell the truth to each other because the Spirit dwells inside the believer. Because it is “God’s Spirit dwells in your midst” (1 Cor 3:16). Since the “Spirit dwells” (1 Cor 3:16) in the believer, lying would be against “the Spirit of truth” (John 16:13). Who really wants to tell a lie while the Spirit is creating truthful and honest influences in our hearts?

The reason why we must tell the truth to each other is that we become like the Devil when we lie.  Jesus said, “The devil… was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Who wants to be like the Devil? Could it be that the Father of Lies feels a kinship with liars on earth? They are his children, for they tell lies just as he does.

A sin recorded in the book of Revelation that will expel us out of heaven is lying. “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone… fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone (Rev 21:8). Liars will find no comfort in their torments while in companionship with Satan, the Father of Lies.

The reason why we must tell the truth to each other is because when we lie to another, we take responsibility before God for misleading other individuals who trust God and His children. Being lied to has a baleful influence on another believer, for they lose trust in the Body of Christ, the Church.

When we influence them to take action that involves them in trouble—when it was all just a lie—such Christian liars sin against their consciences, hardening them.

Who wants to tell a lie to their conscience that tells them the truth? Worst of all, they will lose love because love and lies are incompatible. So precious is love among us, in our families, our spouses, and our trusted friends.

Lies and love are opposites, so much so that love will leave the room of our hearts for lies to dwell. We will not know how many married couples fell out of love for each other. All because one of them lied to the other. True love for their spouse left the room as well, and their marriage ended up on the rocks.

• Love cannot exist with dishonesty.

• Love grows and matures with the companionship of honesty

• Love becomes bitter with dishonesty.

• Love needs confession of faults and mistakes.

The reason why we must tell the truth to each other is because we have a moral responsibility before God to honor the Golden Rule. Which plainly says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Lk 6:31). For example, lying has a deep color, not a pale color, not a red color—but Black. For lying is disrespectful and a form of hatred toward the person lied to. John the Apostle says, “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness [black] has blinded them (1 John 2:11).

Known for Truth Telling

Believers are to be known for telling the truth and for being honest in business. Truth-telling is a sign we have “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:24). Lying, to the harm and injury of others, is a sign we are dwelling in our pre-converted state.

We admit that there are cases when it is for the good of others to withhold the truth, when no good would come from telling them a truth that would only hurt and worry them unnecessarily.

We admit that there is a major difference when working with some people in high positions who love to make up rules that create unnecessary hardship for others. They make up petty rules with no compassion or ability to see exceptions. They are rule-based, unlike God, who is grace-, love-, and forgiveness-based. 

One Body All Truthful to Each Other

This idea has not been fully understood among all believers. God would have us accept other believers who have been “reconciled” (Eph 2:16) to God. Even if they do have different religious houses of worship and practice their faith within their culture, they also have “peace” (Eph 2:17) with God. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Col 3:15). Christ dwells by the Spirit in the lives of all believers, all peoples, from the North Pole to the South Pole, all over the earth. Toward any believer in Christ, honesty is the best policy; it honors God and the Holy Spirit, called the “Spirit of truth” (John 15:26), who never lies. 

“The redeemed from the earth… No lie was found in their mouths” (Rev 14:3,5).

Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry [because you will], 4:27  and do not give the devil a foothold. NIV

4:26 Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 4:27 nor give place to the devil. NKJV

Paul moves from lying to anger. The only kind of anger that is justified is toward injustice, as Jesus expressed in cleansing the temple twice. In a modern setting, this is seen when a strong man harms someone. When we see this, indignation arises in our hearts in anger, which draws a quick, strong response to protect the abused woman.

Anger is a problem unless it is short-lived. It grows stronger; it absorbs our time. It obscures love, romance, and good fellowship with friends. It marks our faces, our outlooks, and our life’s work. It brings havoc at home with our children and spouse. It leads to the permission we give ourselves for self-indulgence because we need a release from the current of anger. When in anger, many of the good things in life pass us by, unnoticed by those who harbor and feed that anger.

Sun should not go down in Anger.

Even anger that is directed at open sins in the Christian fellowship, unless it is short-lived, will harm our souls. This happens because those pointing out grave sins are often led to feel more righteous than those they are trying to warn.

Second, the one who is on the receiving end of correction may be driven further from Christ in despair. Or worse, by reproof they feel is unwarranted, they may grow more angry than before.

This is very delicate work, not suited for everyone. Often, those condemning others feel entitled, by their superior position or wisdom, to find fault and make themselves feel better. We must speak all our words with deep personal humility, love, and much prayer.

“Be merciful to those who doubt [wavering in their faith]; save others by snatching them from the fire [serious mistake]; to others show mercy, mixed with fear [for yourself]—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh [hating the sin not the person]” (Jude 22,23).

In Anger Do Not Sin

An example of righteous anger was when “Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” (Matt 21:12-13).

Notice that the anger of Jesus was short-lived after the money changers and high-priced animals were gone from inside the temple. “Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them” (Matt 21:14). Apparently, many children came to be blessed and healed by Jesus, and “the children” could be heard “praising him in the Temple, saying, ‘Praise to the Son of David '” (Matt 21:15 NCV).

Jesus' anger was short-lived and was followed by the healing of everyone watching. They at once moved into the temple to be near this unusual man. Children came from all over the area and were caught up in the joy of seeing sick people healed and joining others in songs of praise.

Why the Devil Has No Foothold in Believers’ Lives

If anger is rooted in hate, it brings darkness and, over time, perfect or total darkness. Darkness is when a person carries cruel, unkind anger in their heart and sees no wrong in expressing it. “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is in darkness and walks around in darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them [perfect darkness]” (1 John 2:11).

The Danger of Anger Should be Publicly Presented

Paul suggests that leaders of the fellowship should be vigilant in warning the sheep of God’s pasture about spiritual dangers. Christians can exercise righteous indignation and anger over open sin that ruins the lives of their friends in their “fellowship” (1 John 1:3). If believers do not address the sin of anger, the devil gains a foothold.

The sincerity and purity of good Christian fellowship is compromised. Sadly, many Christian communities never mention this ever-present danger, for the world we live in is politically and socially often angry at each other.

Peter says, “through faith” we “are shielded by God’s power”, not just for the day but over our lifetime, “until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet 1:5).

Nothing—not all of Satan’s efforts—can pierce the protection that believers have in Christ. Because they are shielded, marked, and sealed, they also have angelic protection, at the command and direction of God Himself. We are His treasure, “God’s possession” (Eph 1:14).

Paul says we are “marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Eph 1:13:14). The sealing of the Spirit refers to Jesus’s promise that He would send to us the Spirit to “help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16,17). Teaching you, from your inner self, the truth of the gospel message as taught by Jesus and his apostles. We must never underestimate the value of being Spirit-filled. Sealing is what is inside a person, something so very precious to God. It is the “message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation” (Eph 1:13) radiating from our souls.

Out of Control Anger: Gives the Devil a Foothold

We allow the devil to come closer to us for further temptations and harassment when in a state of sustained anger, even if it was for the right reason.

• First Warning: Anger held inside the heart can easily fall into various forms of hatred, and it will surely bring us into darkness. In that darkness, we are very likely to fall into a trap set by the devil, giving him a foothold in our lives, because we are blind to his approach.

• Second Warning: “Therefore, I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing” (1 Tim 2:8). Anger that lingers without repentance will hinder prayers. “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him” (1 John 3:15). “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen” (1 John 4:20).

What Specific Things in the Fellowship Should Not Be Addressed

Watchmen or Elders in the fellowship have no right to set, as law, their opinions. In matters that God has not specifically given to us. For example, what we should or should not eat. Since “Jesus declared all foods clean” (Mark 7:19), the Old Testament laws of clean and unclean foods no longer exist.

Paul shows how God receives people, allowing them to form their own convictions through prayer and Scripture study. Paul says, “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand…I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.” (Rom 14:1-4,14).

Other issues we are to permit individual consciences to guide are how to dress or the kinds of worship music styles. Leadership is not to oversee how others spend their money on their private family matters. This is spiritual bondage, for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:17).

Some congregations demand tithe or a double tithe. Ten percent for the organization and another for the local congregation. This is not the teaching of the New Testament, which never requested tithes. Paul clearly sets the standard: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7).

Ephesians 4:28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. NIV

4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. NKJV

Believers in Paul’s time had come from a pagan society. In Rome, stealing was common; slaves would steal to compensate for their forced labor, and soldiers were at times given the right to steal, at times anything they wanted, from conquered enemies. When pagan believers became Christians, they needed some instruction. Paul is giving them a direct command: You must not steal any longer.

Paul’s solution to stealing was to work honestly and improve financially instead of stealing.

Paul believed that God blesses honest labor, as seen in having enough to be generous to others. Thus, they need not steal because God will bless them with more than enough. Instead of stealing, they were to practice charity toward those in need.

Jesus Told a Parable About a Selfish Rich Man

“The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God” (Lk 12:16-21).

Stealing is a selfish act that will be copied into the thief's very pattern of thoughts and actions. It is impossible for them to be generous, as Jesus said: “For what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you” (Lk 11:41). Generosity and unselfishness change a person from the inside. They care more, they love more, they have more generous hearts and spirits toward everyone around them. Their friends even love them more.

Stealing and Lying are Twins.

Lying and stealing are co-workers. They will receive permanent punishment on judgment day: “…all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (Rev 21:8). At that time, they will never return to the land of the living. For “the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Ps 1:6).

The Blessed of the Lord Give, Not Steal

 As a rule, Christians are blessed, often financially. They are given opportunities for spiritual service beyond what they could have gained by their own efforts. As their work prospers and their occupations are blessed, they have more to give rather than store up wealth.

 They have no reason to steal; instead, they share from their abundance with humility. They do not let their “your left hand know what your [their] right hand is doing… Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you [them]” (Matt 5:3,4).

• “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Ps 34:8).

• “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing… The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.” (Ps 37:25,39-41).

Paul to Pastor Titus

Paul asks Titus to teach the Roman enslaved people in his congregation not to steal from their masters. As tempting and profitable it may be as recompense for harsh treatment and to offset their poverty. However, enslaved Christians were taught “not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Titus 2:10).

Grieving the Spirit

Eph 4:29-32

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk [words] come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit [building up] those who listen [nearby]. 

4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. NKJV

The Context

 In the next several verses, in Ephesians 4:29-32, Paul turns to a new topic: “Grieving the Spirit” (Eph 4:30). These four verses are common practices that grieve the Holy Spirit in our hearts. They are given in connection with the preceding verses: the need to “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:24).

Paul wants this congregation to realize that his earlier instructions encourage us to put on a “new self,” which happens when we are “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). Without this, how can we even have the Spirit to grieve?

Gospel truths give us the freedom to love and free us from the bondage of “deceitful desires” (Eph 4:22). Spiritual Knowledge, unapplied in our lives, will make us spiritually deceitful to ourselves and others. Spiritual knowledge, intellectually understood but not inwardly dwelling, makes us more resistant to the Spirit’s influence. It is the condition Jesus often spoke to Pharisees about. Once, Jesus told his disciples, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees” (Matt 16:6). For everything the temple leadership did, Jesus said, “they do is done for people to see” (Matt 23:5). They pretended to be very pious, but were not at all, for it was by their decree that Jesus was sent to Pilate.

The Bad Habit: Unwholesome Talk

One of the first bad habits that grieves the Spirit is foul language. The Greek word for unwholesome is sapros, meaning rotten and worthless, poor quality, or unfit to use. Today, we would think of such slang words as relating to bodily functions or reproduction. No one can receive grace from such words. Instead, they cause the hearer to be jolted to a lower level of thinking. They are debasing, not uplifting.

We should never lose sight of the fact that spiritual decline and indifference often stem from our words reflecting the unremedied darkness inside us.

We should first look to see whether we, as believers in Christ, have confessed our unkind or dark words. Since these grieve the Spirit, we should guard our words carefully. We should avoid undue criticism, which may leave bitterness in the hearts of others.

Imagine how important words of grace, pleasant greetings, warm embraces, and uplifting words to the discouraged and frightened are to a whole congregation. They bring a spiritual warming of our hearts, causing us to exclaim: “Let us love one another for love comes from God and knows God [personally]. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7,8).

Words that Should Give Grace

The NIV could be clearer. The NKJV accurately reads that our speech should be wholesome, “that it would give grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:29).

The meaning is clear: our words should be kind and tolerant toward others, so that they may learn about “the God of all grace, who called you [us] to his eternal glory in Christ” (1 Pet 5:10). For God is called “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Cor 1:3,4).

What is amazing is that our words, when they are kind and considerate, are to be like words of grace. This is like God, who offers us grace and favor we do not deserve, but that comes from His own kindness. This goodness of God leads us to come to Him for grace, “that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16).

God spreads His grace all over the world, so we likewise spread kindness in our words of grace. What a privilege to copy God our Father in spreading graceful words and actions around our circle of influence. “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given” (John 1:16). And only God knows how many countless times we personally have received grace from Him. Grace after grace to match our faltering steps and broken promises.

John Fawcett wrote an old song in 1792 entitled “Blest Be the Tie That Binds.” John knew firsthand how “Christian love” spreads through a “sympathizing tear” for a neighbor or friend.

• Blest be the tie that binds.

our hearts in Christian love;

the fellowship of kindred minds

is like to that above.

• We share our mutual woes,

our mutual burdens bear,

and often for each other flows

the sympathizing tear.

Unwholesome Words

This expression means something worthless, rotten, foul-smelling, and demeaning toward others. Jesus used this same Greek word for “bad” as “trees that bear bad fruit” (Matt 7:17,18). When corrupt words become part of our daily speech, our lives will bear bad fruit, like a tree. “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt 7:19).

This means that those who regularly use foul, sarcastic, or religious profanity in the misuse of God’s name will be “thrown into the fire” of hell. Thus, we must take very seriously the unkind words we use, for judgment will follow unconfessed unkind words that bite and hurt.

We must guard our words, for it is impossible ever to take them back. Cursing is a very hard habit for many to break. Changing our old pattern of unwholesome words often takes much prayer, in Scripture, with the influence of sacred music.  They will need to be “Born of the Spirit” (John 3:8) and learn how to “put off your old self” (Eph 4:22) and to be taught the “truth that it is in Jesus” (Eph 4:21). This is accomplished by going to the Cross of Christ, where we receive full forgiveness and empowerment to transform our speech into kindness. Through prayer, Scripture study, and confession of sins, we will receive a new vocabulary that creates peace and imparts grace to those we converse with.

Words of Salt

Paul taught the Colossian believers, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone” (Col 4:6). The salt refers to its preserving quality. For example, cured salt pork, when properly handled, can be stored for one to three months at its best. When our words are salted, they are helpful and encouraging to the lonely, sorrowful, grieving, discouraged, or the young and inexperienced.

Believers should be cautioned to avoid some movies that use profane words; although we have not spoken them, a danger remains that we will find it easy to repeat them. Instead, we should focus on positive words of grace, peace, praise, and thanksgiving.

Unwholesome Words Grieve the Spirit

When we use foul language, if we are “Born of God” (1 John 3:9), the Spirit will warn us of our mistake. Unless we turn to prayer and seek God’s power for better replacement of our words, it will have a dampening effect on the labors of the Spirit on our behalf. Over time, blindness will set in, and we will feel little desire to stop our unkind or cruel words spoken to others. Our understanding of Scripture and the comfort, love, and joy that come from the Spirit are lost sight of or greatly diminished.

Worst of all, those with continued unwholesome speech toward their spouse, children, or employees are in danger of being like one of the “foolish” “virgins” (Matt 25:2), believers in Christ, who lost the oil of the Holy Spirit in their lives. It is the Spirit of God that re-creates words in our mouths, which are kind and pure.

All ten of the virgins in this parable were expecting the return of Christ so that they could go “inside with Him to the wedding banquet” (Matt 25:10). Instead, the five foolish believers find themselves on the day the Lord returns, out of “oil” (Matt 25:8), the symbol for the Holy Spirit, prayer, and Scripture. Together, they have the power needed to change our lives.

When, later, they come to the door of the wedding feast, they knocked and said, “Lord, lord! Let us in!’ But inside the room they heard the reply, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!” (Matt 25:11). The foolish virgins were unprepared for the Second Coming of Jesus because they were without the Spirit, having grieved the Spirit, and were left with all the rest of the lost, in a hopeless condition, with unclean habits.

Words That Build Others Up

Paul, writing to the Corinthian believers, said, "So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it” (2 Cor 10:8). Paul had authority as an Apostle.  Yet, despite all his authority, he would never use it to tear others down but only build them up. Paul did not follow today's “cancel culture,” which cancels those who don’t follow the exact narrative provided. This is a lesson for anyone who uses their authority to abuse or mistreat others. Not to give them justice or mercy when they really could.

When believers have grieved the Spirit, they will bruise and humiliate others without even knowing it. Maybe even feeling justified in doing so, while they falsely believe they are among the saved.

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk [words] come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit [building up] those who listen [nearby]. 

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve [bring sorrow] the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. NIV

4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. NKJV

4:30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. New Living Translation

Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage [bad temper] and anger [being mad, shouting], brawling quarreling, [contention, strife] and slander [cursing], along with every form of malice [maliciousness, evil intent]. 4:32 And be kind to one another [helpful], tenderhearted [compassionate], forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. NIV

4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. NKJV

The Context

Ephesians 4:29-31 form the immediate context of what it means to grieve the Holy Spirit. Negative descriptions, such as bitterness and unwholesome speech, affect the Spirit’s presence in our lives. In short, they grieve the Spirit. We should never lose sight of the fact that spiritual decline and indifference often stem from our words reflecting the unremedied darkness inside us. Instead, imagine how important words of grace, pleasant greetings, warm embraces, and uplifting words are.

Likewise, positive word descriptions, such as building others up and being kind to one another, show evidence of the Spirit’s presence in our lives. The nine fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22,23) have space to grow so that our lives are fruitful with good works. Best of all, through the Spirit’s presence we are drawn very close to God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

1-Do Not Grieve the Spirit

The Spirit is not grieved with himself—but for us. We can grieve the Spirit with our anger, jealousy, and irritability with others and our “unwholesome speech” (Eph 4:29), or words that hurt others in any way.

The result is not that the Spirit abandons or leaves us. It is that we will experience a loss of inner peace and joy in the Lord. When, after “anger” (4:31), we follow it with repentance, the Spirit will be there for us. The Spirit will give us “access” (2:18) to our Father God, where we will receive forgiveness and justification by faith alone.

However, if we grieve the Spirit in our rough treatment of others, tenants in our apartment, we stand a chance that we will justify our actions, feeling no need to be sensitive to the feelings of others. This is very dangerous, for such a person cannot be sealed for the day of redemption into eternal life.

2-Grieve the Spirit

The worst possible thing that could happen to us is when God takes away His Holy Spirit from us and leaves us “orphans” (John 14:18) in this world. David knew this and believed his sin could have so grieved God’s Spirit that it would be forever gone from his life. So, he prayed to God, “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me” (Ps 51:11). What a sad day to lose the sweet abiding presence of the Spirit in your life. Worst of all, you lose what you had first in your encounter with God the day you gave your heart to God and received His Spirit.

Activities that support the presence of the Spirit include following the Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Lk 6:31). When you don't follow it, the Spirit will tell you of your mistakes; if you ignore it time after time, the Spirit is grieved.

3-Do not Grieve

In Greek, this is in the present tense. What Paul is saying is that “Unwholesome” (Eph 4:29) language is seen in  “bitterness, rage, and anger.” This grieves the Holy Spirit.

When we are bitter, angry, or have criticized others with malice, we grieve the Spirit. When we say spiteful words to others, we grieve the Spirit. This blunts our spiritual growth.

When a person is “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8), their “bodies” become “temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:19); then unwholesome words create discomfort in the Spirit’s temple. It is as if the Spirit creates a kind of ruckus of disapproval, especially when profanity uses God’s name in slander. Listeners should be warned about the potential danger of listening to “obscenity” (Eph 5:4) in a movie, relaxed in their front rooms while eating popcorn.

Don’t Put Out the Spirit’s Fire

In a list of fifteen practices of the “children of light” in Thessalonians, Paul encourages the believers, saying to them, “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thess 5:19). In other words, don’t stifle or turn away the Spirit’s fire burning inside your spirit.

The Greek word for “quench” means to extinguish or suppress the fire. In practical terms, the Spirit’s good influence on our lives—fighting our flesh on our behalf (Gal 5:17), planting the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:19)—is suppressed, and we are left to “walk around in the darkness” (1 John 2:11).

We are not to quench the fire of enthusiasm, which often will burst out in prayers, praises, and thanksgivings. What a privilege to teach “With words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words” (1 Cor 2:13). What a shame to lose this privilege because our anger or unkindness has dampened the Spirit, resulting in further blindness as to our real spiritual condition.

John the Baptist predicted that Jesus “will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matt 3:11).

The Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives is compared with fire. At times it burns high and bright; at other times, it is a bed of hot coals. The first presence of the Spirit, after the resurrection of Jesus, was at Pentecost, where “tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them” (Acts 2:3). There is an old proverb which says, "Where the Spirit is, He burns.”

Where the Spirit is not present, there is no enthusiasm in songs of praise. There are no “Spirit-taught words” (1 Cor 2:13) from the public pulpit.

It is formal, often like reading a manuscript. They are like sermons that are filled with personal anecdotes, with very little Scripture. They are words with no wings that move the listener into conviction and heartfelt prayers, at times forcing them in their seats and bringing them to tears of repentance and peace with God.

The presence of the Spirit brings a warmth that percolates through the heart, and at times the body is swayed by deep emotion of love for God and heartfelt prayers of repentance.

Quenching the Spirit by activities that run counter to the “fruits of the Spirit” (Gal 5:23).

                     Instead of love—Hate and unkindness

                     Instead of Joy—Neglect of others who need comfort and friendship.

                     Instead of peace—Arguments and disagreements.

The Lord’s Prayer

We will often pray the Lord’s Prayer, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matt 6:13). This means we need to ask God to guide our lives and our steps safely around the places where we might dishonor God’s name and “grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Eph 4:30).

As we pray for His guidance, we ask Him: “to preserve our lives and keep our feet from slipping” (Ps 66:9). For we know that the evil one has set temptations along our path to cause us to fall into sin.

“Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me” (Ps 31:3). When we are faced with trouble causing us to fear, we can, like David says, “I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm” (Ps 55:8). 

Paul Continues this Theme in the Next Chapter

Paul develops the theme further in the next chapter, saying “not a hint of sexual immorality” or “obscenity” should be in our lives, or we will not “inherit the kingdom of God” (Eph 5:4). Thus, we must be very careful in watching movies that have swearing or constant cursing as part of their script. When we voluntarily watch profanity with graphic sexual encounters, with enjoyment, it will impact the Spirit of God in our lives, grieving the Spirit. For the Spirit creates a Holy space inside us, known as the “Spirit of truth” (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13), so what your eyes are watching is not only lies, but evil—all the opposite of truth.

Instead, treasure the Spirit’s presence, guard it with your life, your “eyes” (Matt 6:22,23), and your “ears” (Matt 13:15) in tune with “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil 4:8).

For it is not belief in church doctrines, church attendance, tithe paying, or being a worship leader that seals us for the day of redemption, our resurrection at the Second Coming of our Lord. It is the treasured presence of the Spirit of God “guiding” us and “teaching” us the way of the Lord (John 16:13; 14:26). We can know, we can be assured, by the “Spirit himself,” which “testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Rom 8:16), that we are redeemed because our “robes” are “made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:14).

One final thought. Keep your conscience sensitive to what Scripture teaches, not the “traditions of men” (Mark 7:8; Col 2:8). Remember it is not what an organization tells you, but what you must do to be saved. Avoid adding new doctrines that are not New Testament-based, which can make you feel guilty.

Daily, We Should Ask God for the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit Should Be Central in Gospel Teaching

The subject of the ministry of the Spirit should be, must be, central in gospel teaching and preaching. Anytime we neglect to teach about the Spirit, we become poorer spiritually. We will be like the Church in Laodicea that was counseled “to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you can become rich” (Rev 3:18). The fire represents the Spirit that came upon the disciples as “tongues of fire” (Acts 2:3). The gold stands for the Spirit-filled life, which is the gold standard for every believer in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Peter on Receiving the Spirit

In his Pentecost sermon, Peter tells us how to receive the Spirit. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). There is no complicated formula of things you must do to receive the Spirit. The Spirit accompanies sincere confession of sin with repentance. Any time we come to God with a confession of sin and a heartfelt desire to be changed, God gives us the Spirit.

Paul on Receiving the Spirit

Paul wants the Galatians to remember how they first received the Spirit.  “So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Gal 3:5-6). They received the Spirit when they heard the gospel message and believed it to be true. They did not receive the Spirit because they first kept the Commandments of God, the law; instead, they received it by faith alone.

We do not receive the Spirit after confession. No, we have been led to confession by the influence of the Spirit. Afterward, the Spirit creates space in us, sets up His “temple” (1 Cor 6:19) inside us, and brings us closer and closer to God the Father and His Son.

The Spirit Was Released in Full Measure at Pentecost

The Spirit has a special mission held in reserve until Pentecost. Jesus told his disciples that the Spirit is yet to come to them, “when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). And “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me” (John 15:26). Jesus told the disciples to gather together to receive the Spirit, known as the day of Pentecost, saying, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8).

We should always consider the Spirit a holy influence on us, which means a sacred and pure influence on every aspect of our lives. Because the Spirit is an exact likeness to God the Father, the Spirit is entitled as God’s Holy Spirit.

The Spirit’s influence will always lead to kindness to one another, because God is kind to us (Titus 3:4). “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col 3:12). The Spirit, over time, mirrors the exact character of God to us.

The Holy Spirit of God

“The Holy Spirit of God,” this expression is used only once in either the New or the Old Testament,  in all translations. This expression relates to the closeness of the Holy Spirit to God the Father. The Spirit’s presence in our lives represents the fullness of God’s character. The two, the Spirit and God, cannot be completely separated. In the New Testament, the phrase “Spirit of God” appears twelve times in the NKJV, KJV, and NAS. The Spirit brings God’s presence to us, in us, because the Spirit comes from God; thus, “the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor 3:6; John 6:63).

  As Jesus has taught us, “When the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father” (John 15:26 NKJV). Meaning that the Spirit comes from God the Father to us in answer to the prayer of Jesus on our behalf. The Spirit is sent to be close to us, personal, bringing holy, saving, uplifting, “sanctifying” (1 Pet 1:2), powerful influences directly from God the Father.

The Spirit is our Helper, Advocate, and Comforter

In the NKJV, the Spirit is called “Helper” in four places: John 14:16, 26; 15:26; and 16:7. The Greek word is paraklaytos meaning “advocate, intercessor, consoler, comforter, helper, one called alongside like a companion and one that stands by us.”  There are many ways to describe the Spirit's actions. Finding a suitable English translation is difficult. No single English word has the same range of meaning as the Greek word, for all the words apply to the work of the Spirit. Various Bible translations use these words to refer to the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit has many functions, all for our good. The Spirit can be with us all day in all these roles for our spiritual growth. Jesus promised us that the “Advocate” will be “with you and will be in you” (Jn 14:17). The Spirit will be where you are, closer than the physical presence of Jesus.

As our Helper, the Spirit is never out of resources or power, because the Spirit comes from God the Father. It is impossible to list all the ways God has sent the Spirit to help us, from finding something lost to guiding us in the right direction in life. They are too numerous, too frequent, too varied to count. The Spirit helps the child, the teen, and the mother of several small children. For “all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27). Thus, we can “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7).

The Spirit is our Comforter

The Spirit is called a “comforter” (John 14:16 KJV). When sorrow falls on us, it can make us blind with depression. The Spirit will be there, for “the Spirit helps us in our weakness” (Rom 8:26). We become stronger, much stronger with the Spirit’s presence in our lives than without the Spirit. When we are all alone, the Spirit is a companion to us.

The Spirit is an “advocate” (John 14:26 NIV) to the Father on our behalf. “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Rom 8:26). The Spirit is not indifferent to our needs; the Spirit is passionate about us. The Spirit is out ahead of us, providing answers and solutions for us before we are aware of them. The Spirit prays to the Father on our behalf when we are too confused and don’t know what to do, even how to pray. For “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Rom 8:26).

Unseen by you, God has His hand on you, by His Spirit that lives in you, with you and beside you.

The Spirit is Our Advocate

Jesus told the disciples, the day before he was arrested, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate [comforter, helper] to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18). We are not left alone in this life; God is not indifferent to our many small daily tasks in which we ask for His help. He does not sit in heaven, at a safe distance from us. We are not His orphans, fatherless. As a good father to his children, God’s presence is pledged to be with us—Through His Spirit.

Spirit is Like The Wind

Jesus compares the Spirit to the wind, saying, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). Just as each one of us individually feels the force of the wind blowing on our faces. It is as if the Spirit is blowing on them. Others around us also feel the Spirit individually. The Spirit has an unseen presence moving on a global scale, yet also on a personal, individual scale. Changing us, teaching us, reproving us, and giving us the comforting presence of our Father God.

The wind has no boundaries; it is present globally. The wind represents the Spirit's presence, moving across our wide world. In general terms, the Spirit moves in stealth mode. It is beyond the intellect, past human reason. No individual or organization can control it. The Spirit does not come to our request or demand. When the Spirit comes, he comes on his own terms.

Our Helper can personally aid millions of believers around the world, all at the same time. The Spirit has a global influence, as is the air we breathe. He can dwell “inside” the lives of millions of believers, day or night. To lead and teach all believers at the same time. All at one time. All at once. All over the world. Answering needs, supplying the presence of God and His Son in ways that bring us up, that lift us, into an atmosphere of spiritual health. While at the same time giving to all of us the Spirit, His presence seen in “love, joy and peace” (Gal 5:22).

No one can program the Spirit. No one can promise the Spirit’s presence. No one can hold a meeting and announce that the Spirit will be present. God directs His Spirit; we can’t.

How to Invite the Spirit in our Midst

First, we need to be “kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven you” (Eph 4:32). This does not grieve the Spirit.

 The Apostle John tells us how we can receive the Spirit. “And this is His [God’s 1st] command: to believe [have faith] in the name of his [God’s] Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He [God’s 2nd] commanded us. The one who keeps God’s [two] commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he [God] lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He [God] gave us. (1 John 3:23,24).

The first command from God Himself is to have faith in His Son. To fix our eyes on Jesus. To follow him in discipleship. To study his words, his parables, his teachings. To listen to His apostles.

The second command of God is to love one another. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God [the Father]. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God [at all], because God is love.” (1 John 4:7,8)

The result of keeping God’s two commandments is that He will give us the Spirit. But much more, for God promises to live in us, and we will live in Him. We know this to be real because of His Spirit, because of the presence of His Spirit in our lives.

Thus, if we, as a group, a fellowship, or a congregation, want the Spirit to be active in our lives, we must teach and lead everyone to love one another. To build each other up. To remove by prayer all barriers to love. To practice kindness and friendship among themselves. This will prepare the way for God to send to us the Spirit, as we ask God for this gift.

New Kind of Worship

Now a new kind of worship is made available through the Spirit. As Jesus told the woman at the well, “true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:23). This worship is not sanctuary-based, as in a specific location in Jerusalem, where all are mandated to attend, bringing their tithes and offerings.

The Spirit is the means by which God can be at “home” (John 14:23) in us. True worship is done with the Spirit’s presence and influence. This differs radically from Judaism, which is very visual, organized, and based on worship led by the Levites.

The Spirit carries the name of Jesus to us, not its own name. The Spirit comes to us standing in place of the presence of Jesus. From the Spirit flows the love of Jesus and His Father for us as if we were standing near them.

The Magic of the Spirit

The magic of the Spirit is His personal presence with the believer, as if the Spirit is with them alone. Although we know that the Spirit is with others, its personal presence is in real time. Giving us comfort, support, guidance, and wisdom. “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Col 1:9).

• As we receive these gifts, day after day, we become deeply thankful to God the Father, who has sent His Spirit to be with us. We fill our hearts with praise and love for God for His gifts.

• We don’t possess the Spirit; the Spirit possesses us. We are to be led by the Spirit of God, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Rom 8:14). We are led into the presence of God. The Spirit leads us to love God (Rom 5:5). It is all the Spirit’s doing.

• We don’t ever directly communicate with the Spirit. We don’t talk to the Spirit or pray to the Spirit directly. Our prayers, our praise, our thanksgiving are always directed to “Our Father in Heaven.” 

• The Spirit never speaks about himself to us. “He will not speak on his own… I said the Spirit will receive from me that he will make known to you (John 16:13,15).

• The Spirit is sent to be close, personal, and attentive to individual needs, fears, and unseen internal struggles. The Spirit functions comfortably with men, women, or children. Even with guilty criminals who call on the name of the Lord. The Spirit is attentive to urgent prayers. The Spirit prays to God on our behalf when we are unaware of danger and our need of prayer. For “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Rom 8:26,27).

Spirit Will Teach You All Things

The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, “will teach you all things” (John 14:26). The teaching role of the Spirit is never to be underestimated. As you open Scriptures, ask God the Father to teach you and give you understanding of Scriptures. Place them in your heart forever.

The Holy Spirit has Been Described in Many Ways in the New Testament.

• The term “Holy Spirit” is used about ninety-three times in the NT.

• The term “Spirit of God” appears 11 times in the NIV and 12 times in the NKJV.

• The Term “The Spirit of the Lord” is used four times in the NIV and five times in the NKJV.

• The Term “The Spirit of truth” is used four times in the NIV and five times in the NKJV.

• The Term “The Spirit gives life” is used three times in the NIV and once in the NKJV.

• The term “Spirit of Christ” is used two times in NIV & NKJV

• The term “New way of the Spirit” is used once in the NIV

• The term “Newness of the Spirit” is used once in NKJV

• The term “God’s Spirit” is used once in NIV

• The term “God is Spirit” is used once in NIV & NKJV

• The Term “The Spirit of His Son” is used once in NIV & NKJV

• The term “the Spirit who is from God” is used once in NIV & NKJV

• The “Spirit He (God) gave us” is used once in NIV

• The “Spirit whom He (God) has given us” is used once in NKJV

• References to the “Spirit” are used somewhere around 75- 100 times in the NT

Other expressions used in the New Testament for the Spirit:

• The Spirit of holiness (Rom 1:4)

• Set your mind on what the Spirit desires (Rom 8:5)

• The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace (Rom 8:6)

• Led by the Spirit (Rom 8:14)

• The love of the Spirit (Rom 15:30)

• Made alive in the Spirit (1 Pet 3:18)

• Receive the power of the Spirit (Lk 4:14)

• Overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:13)

• Live by the Spirit (1 Cor 3:1)

• Receive gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 14:1)

• Fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, and peace (Gal 5:22)

• To please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life (Gal 6:8)

• Songs from the Spirit (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16)

• Joy given by the Holy Spirit (1 Thess 1:6)

• The Holy Spirit and in sincere love (2 Cor 6:6)

• Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Cor 13:14)

• Your love in the Spirit (Col 1:8)

• The Spirit gives us wisdom and understanding (Col 1:9)

• The Spirit gives us wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:17)

• Saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit (2 Thess 2:13)

• The Spirit God gave us gives us power, love, and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7)

• Through Christ Jesus, so by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit (Gal 3:14)

• This is how we know that he lives in us: by the Spirit, he gave us. (1 John 3:24)

• This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit (1 John 4:13

• I tell you; no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5)

• How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Lk 11:13).

Sealed by the Spirit of God

The Spirit is the element IN which the believer is sealed. It is by the gracious influences of the Spirit of God that we are sealed. When we are “led by the Spirit (Gal 5:18), we will receive many fruits and gifts. One of the major gifts of the Spirit is what we best describe as an implant in our hearts to do good. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good” (Eph 2:10). This desire to do good to others moves into our lives and fills every corner. We want to make a difference in the lives of others, our family, friends, strangers, animals, and plants. “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Ps 34:14).

Because our “bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:18), where God can dwell in us. This is what is represented as being sealed by the Spirit. This sealing takes place in the here and now, assuring us that at Jesus' Second Coming, we will be ready for that day of redemption.

End of Ephesians  Chapter 4

Written by: Brothers & Sisters in Scripture Fellowship

Read & Study More

Ephesians 5

Colossian 1

1 John 1

John 3:1-8

John 4:21-24

Matthew 17:5

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