Ephesians 4:20-32

Introduction: In Vs 20-21, the believer is to walk in Christ and not walk as other gentiles walk. The reason is clearly stated: believers did not learn such a sinful life form Christ. Christ did not live a sinful life nor has he taught us to live a sinful life. In fact, if a man has heard Christ and been taught by Christ, then he has heard and been taught The Truth. 

In Vs 22, Paul says that we should “put off the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts”, and that we should “put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”. 

The old man refers to what a man is before he accepts Christ. It is the nature of man or the nature of Adam. And it is “corrupt according to the deceitful lusts”.

The new man is Jesus Christ, “which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”. Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”.

• The old man, from God’s perspective, is counted dead, therefore we should count it dead. 

Romans 6:6 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him”. 

Romans 6:11-12 “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord”. 

• The old man, is very much alive. (It can be seen in some of our actions or reactions). The old man is tempted to look, taste, feel, think, to experience sin. But you and I should reject the temptation and participation of sin. We put off, the old man as we walk day by day. 

Let’s look at some examples of things the old man does that need to be put off: 

I. Lying-Vs 25 anything that is false, untruthful, deceptive, a misrepresentation, an exaggeration. Lying deceives a person to: get what he wants, to seduce someone else, to cover up or hide something, or is used to cause harm or hurt. Lying destroys confidence, assurance, love, trust, and hope.

• Solution– “Speak the truth”. Be who you are and don’t be ashamed or worried about what others might think or say of you.

II. Anger-Vs 26 “be ye angry, and sin not”. The believer needs to put off anger. Anger may be justified at times, however, we need to avoid sinning when we get angry. Anger that is selfish, harbors malice, it will not forget, it lingers around, sometimes seeks revenge, and it arises from pride. Proverbs 21:24 “Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath”. This anger ridicules, despises, and exalts itself.  Too often hurt feelings exist between those that are the closest: husband and wife, parent and child, neighbors, co-workers, brethren. 

• Solution- Get angry about the things that get God angry. With people that sin, do wrong, who are unjust and selfish in their behavior, John 2:13-16. Justified anger is never selfish, where unjustified anger is always selfish. Don’t sin when you get angry. Settle the matter before the sun goes down. Anger cause us to react, lash out and hurt others, or else it motivates us to correct injustices. Proverbs 14:17 “He that soon angry dealeth foolishly”. Proverbs 16:13 “He that is slow to anger is betther than the mighty”

• STOP Acronym- Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed  

III. Stealing-Vs 28 “Let him that stole steal no more”. This is taking something that doesn’t belong to you. It can be something as small as a pencil from the office, or embezzling money. You can be stealing physically, time, spiritual gifts, blessings, material things from others. I Peter 4:15 “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief”. If we suffer, we should suffer for doing good not for stealing, that would be wrong and unwise. Malachi 3:8 “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings”. 

Solution- “Steal no more”. “Work”. “Give to him that needeth”. Work hard, to have enough for your family and to help others in need. I John 3:17 “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”.   There are plenty of people that don’t have food, water, clothing, medicine, roof over their heads, etc. 

IV. Corrupt Communication– Vs 29 this is filthy or foul language. This includes cursing, unholy talk, double meaning, worthless conversations, off-colored humor, dirty jokes, immoral suggestions. James 3:6 “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and settleth on fire the course of nature”.
Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. I Corinthains 15:33 “be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners”. 

Solution– “speak that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers”. Speak to share good things, build up people, strengthen people, minister blessings helping each other. Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones”. 

V. Grieving the Holy Spirit– Vs 30 to pain, offend, or sadden the Holy Spirit. When a person acts contrary to the counsel of God, it greaves the Holy Spirit of God. Just like a child that acts contrary to the counsel of His parents.  

Solution: Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God by doing only those things that please God and staying away from what God says to stay away in His Word. 

VI. Unkindness– Vs 31 Bitterness is a person that is holding resentment, usually will be cold, harsh, unpleasant, etc. 

Wrath- violent anger / Anger- mentioned above / Clamor- arguing, brawling, loud talking, boisterous behaviour. / Malice- hurtful, injurious speech. 

Solution: Do the things in Vs 32, “be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”.  

Conclusion: As we have seen, things that need to be put off, and things that need to be put on, is something that should be done daily. There is a always a solution or a replacement to something we put off. We should always put something on in exchange. Be aware of some of these in your own life, and change them as you identify them.