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Put Away Falsehood (Ephesians 4:25)

(Zechariah 8:16 ). Be real - be truthful. Don't be deceived by the unconverted claim that lying is less hurtful. Untruth is always destructive to relationship, whether with our neighbour, the Lord, or our fellow member of the Lord's body (Psalm 101:7; Proverbs 19:5 ).

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Put Away Wrong Anger (Ephesians 4:26)

Anger is an emotion. By becoming a believer you do not lose your emotions, but you do have the power in Christ to choose not to sin. To nurse anger is a sure way to give an opportunity for the devil (Ephesians 4:27; Psalm 4:4; 37:8 ).

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Put Away Stealing (Ephesians 4:28)

Don't think of thieving as shoplifting, or car theft, or house burglary etc, it includes defrauding and so robbing others of what is rightfully theirs. Time and service, as well as money and things - and taking through modern technology, either with a copier or computer, what belongs to someone else without paying what is due. It is implied that laziness is behind stealing. The changed person works hard so as to be able to give to the needy. In this way the kingdom of God is promoted (Luke 3:11; Acts 20:34-35 ).

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Put Away Corrupt Speaking (Ephesians 4:29)

There must be no unwholesome words used by you - only words that build up and profit the body of Christ.

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Put Away What Is Grieving To The Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)

Disobedience of the instructions of these verses grieves the Holy Spirit. The sealing of the Holy Spirit indicates His taking possession of us the purchased property, and guarantees that our salvation will be consummated. The warning not to grieve Him reveals His sensitivity and holy nature. That we can cause Him grief by not putting away what pains Him, should make us respond with willing, determined, obedient co-operation in the specific action of putting off.

It is important to give attention to the immediate instructions contained in Ephesians 4:30. "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit ..." (NKJV) is preceded by unwholesome speech and followed by speech in its different forms of malice (Ephesians 4:29,31 ). This indicates the tongue as being possibly the main instrument of grieving. Allowing our tongue to be used in unacceptable speech, named as unwholesome - bitter - poured out raging anger - slander - and every other form of malice, grieves the Holy Spirit. Consider some of the reasons why this is so:

	It is DISREGARD for His PRESENCE within us (1 Corinthians 6:19 ).
	It is DISDAIN of His PERSON as holy (Luke 11:13 ).
	It is DEVALUING His PLACED seal upon our lives (Ephesians 4:30 ).
	It is DOUBTING His PERFECT sufficiency as Helper (Romans 8:26-28 ).
	It is DESPISING His PERSISTENT sharing of His own conviction (John 16:8 ).
	It is DISARMING His POWERFUL spiritual gifts through us (1 Corinthians 13:1-2 ).
	It is DISOBEYING His PERTINENT Scripture instructing us (Ephesians 4:25-31 ).

Dealing with each other as God has dealt with us in Christ.

Ephesians 4:32 "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,"

Put off what you can easily do by nature, and put on what grace in Christ has made possible. Relationships flourish on kindness - tenderheartedness and forgiveness - beautiful attitudes that overcome and remove hostility.

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Be Kind To One Another (Ephesians 4:32)

	By praying for the other's good (1 Timothy 2:1 ).
	By rejoicing in the other's success (Romans 12:15 ).
	By feeling the other's pain (Romans 12:15 ).
	By providing help for the other's need (1 John 3:17-18 ).
	By restoring the other who has fallen (Galatians 6:1 ).
	By giving preference to the other (Romans 12:10 ).
	By protecting the other (1 Corinthians 13:7 ).

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Be Tenderhearted To One Another (Ephesians 4:32)

The Greek 'eusplanchnos' means tenderly compassionate. It involves an emotional and practical response to those in need or distress. It should be very much in evidence among the Lord's people, so much so that the unsaved would look with wishful longing upon our fellowship.

Being tenderly compassionate:

	Is the normal outcome of the love of God being in us (1 John 3:17 ).
	Makes us desirous of the welfare of the other, even in preference to our own (Philippians 2:4 ).
	Is Scripturally expected of each of us (Luke 6:36; 1 Peter 3:8 ).
	Will reveal that God is our Father because His likeness is seen in us (Romans 8:29 ).
	Was demonstrated by Jesus (Mark 1:41; Matthew 14:14; 9:36 ).
	Is still true of Him now (Hebrews 7:25 ).

With the Spirit of Christ in us we will be tenderly compassionate with one another

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Be Forgiving Of One Another (Ephesians 4:32)

	Forgiveness cannot be withheld when the kindness and tender compassion of Christ consumes us.
	Forgiveness does not keep score of offenses and of how many times to forgive (Matthew 18:21-35 ).
	Forgiveness flows out of fulfilment of Christ's commandment to love one another (John 13:34 ).
	Forgiveness is a mutual need - in our family - you may be the one forgiving today - but you may require to ask forgiveness tomorrow (Ephesians 4:32 ).

Ephesians 4:32 "... just as God in Christ forgave you. "

Our kind of forgiveness must be like that of God - to be so our forgiving will be costly - fully - perfectly - joyously. Relationship cannot break down when there is mutual forgiveness like that of God in Christ.

Can the world see Christ Jesus in your set apart life?

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Have you a responsibility to your fellow members of the body of Christ, to put away all that is disruptive and unacceptable to fellowship? (Ephesians 4:25-30 ).
2. What is your relationship with the Holy Spirit like? (Ephesians 4:30-31 ).
3. Do you practice dealing with your fellow believer as God has dealt with you in Christ? (Ephesians 4:32 ).