“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:25–32 (ESV)
🧾 Truth in Action
Paul begins with “therefore”—linking our new identity to new behavior. This is not moralism—it’s grace made visible. Real faith changes how we live. And Paul gets specific.
“Put away falsehood… speak the truth…” The first mark of transformation is honest speech. Lying fractures relationships, but truth strengthens the body. Why? Because “we are members one of another.” We can’t build unity on dishonesty. Integrity is foundational.
😤 Anger with Boundaries
“Be angry and do not sin…” Not all anger is sinful. There is righteous anger—anger at injustice, sin, or harm. But even righteous anger can turn destructive if unchecked.
Paul warns: “Do not let the sun go down on your anger…” Don’t let resentment linger. Don’t sleep on your bitterness. And “give no opportunity to the devil.” Unresolved anger opens a door for division, lies, and spiritual oppression. Deal with it quickly, humbly, and biblically.
💼 From Stealing to Sharing
“Let the thief no longer steal…” This may seem obvious, but Paul’s point isn’t just about breaking the law—it’s about a radical change of mindset.
The gospel doesn’t just stop us from taking—it moves us to giving. Paul says, “let him labor… that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” The new life is generous. Our hands once used for greed now serve with grace.
🗣️ Words That Build, Not Break
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths…” The word “corrupting” means “rotten” or “spoiled.” It’s language that tears down, dishonors, or poisons others.
Instead, our words should be:
- Good for building up
- Fitting to the occasion
- Grace-giving to those who hear
Your words have weight. In every conversation, you’re either building or breaking. Let your voice be a tool of grace in a world filled with venom.
🕊️ Don’t Grieve the Holy Spirit
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…” This verse reminds us that the Spirit is not a force—He is a Person. He feels sorrow when we live contrary to the character of Christ.
He is also the One “by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” This is deeply relational. The same Spirit who secures us is the One we want to honor. How we speak and treat others either welcomes His presence—or grieves Him.
🗑️ A Life Cleansed of Poison
Paul gives a strong list of relational poisons to remove:
- Bitterness – internal resentment
- Wrath – explosive reactions
- Anger – seething, simmering rage
- Clamor – shouting, heated arguments
- Slander – attacking others with words
- Malice – wishing harm or evil on others
These attitudes and behaviors kill relationships, divide churches, and misrepresent Jesus. Paul says: put them away. Let them go. Lay them at the foot of the cross.
❤️ Kindness, Tenderness, and Forgiveness
Instead of poison, Paul gives us a better way:
- Be kind – gracious, generous in heart
- Be tenderhearted – empathetic, gentle in response
- Forgive one another – releasing the offense, refusing revenge
And how do we do this? “As God in Christ forgave you.” That’s the model. That’s the power. We forgive because we are forgiven. We show grace because we’ve been shown greater grace.
📣 What This Means for Us Today
1. True Holiness Is Relational
Being holy doesn’t just mean avoiding sin—it means pursuing love. Your walk with Christ should make you more honest, more patient, more generous, and more forgiving. People should feel the presence of Jesus through how you treat them.
2. Your Words Are a Ministry
Every conversation is a chance to give grace. Don’t waste words on sarcasm, gossip, or rage. Let your voice be a fountain of encouragement, truth, and hope.
3. The Holy Spirit Is Watching
You are never alone in your choices. The Spirit who sealed you also dwells within you. Let that truth change how you speak, how you forgive, and how you handle conflict.
📣 Reflection and Application
- 🧾 Are my daily conversations building up or tearing down?
- 🗑️ Is there any bitterness, wrath, or slander I need to “put away” today?
- ❤️ Who do I need to forgive the way God in Christ forgave me?
🛐 Prayer
Lord Jesus, make my life reflect Your grace. Cleanse my heart from bitterness, my mouth from harmful words, and my spirit from self-centered anger. Let me be kind, tenderhearted, and quick to forgive—just as You have forgiven me. And may the Holy Spirit be pleased to dwell in my life with joy, not grief. In Your name, amen.
📌 Coming Up Next
Ephesians 5:1–7 — How Do We Imitate God in a Corrupt World?
In the next passage, Paul calls us to imitate God by walking in love and living differently from the darkness around us. We’ll explore what it means to reflect Christ in a culture of compromise.
