Ephesians 4:17-19
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They 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. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
A hard heart will produce an
A compassionate heart produces a
Ephesians 4:20-23
20That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
In order to learn righteousness and holiness we have to change our
Ephesians 4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Lying to one another
Truthful conversations create opportunity for
Ephesians 4:26-27
26“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold.
Being
Compassion is a powerful
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.
Compassion changes selfish people into
Ephesians 4:29
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Unwholesome
Compassion initiates
Ephesians 4:30-31
30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and malice toward one another fight
Ephesians 4:32
32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Kindness and compassion toward one another produces a