It's Time to Put Off Some Things — Part 2
All of these behaviors are the [overflow] of a life that has been changed by the God who came down to save us.
There are five things that should go from the old person you used to be to, now this is really [who you are] in Christ.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the [truth] with his neighbor.
- In what areas of your life are you most tempted to deceive others or hide the truth? What would it look like to bring honesty into those spaces this week?
- Why do you think Christians are called to speak truth to one another? How does truth-telling strengthen the body of Christ?
Be angry and do not [sin].
Most of the time when there's anger in my heart, I can just tell you this, it's not righteous anger. It's [selfish] anger.
Do not let the [sun] go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil.
- Reflect on a recent moment when you felt angry. Was it righteous or selfish anger? How did you respond, and what would it look like to handle that situation in a Christ-like way?
- Why does unresolved anger give the enemy an opportunity in our lives? What steps can you take today to deal with any lingering anger or bitterness?
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands so that he may have something to [share] with anyone in need.
The gospel can change a person. It can take a thief and turn him into the most [generous] person in the world.
You need to work hard so you can be able to share with those in [need].
- How do you view your work and income—primarily as a way to provide for yourself, or as a way to bless and help others? What shift might God be calling you to make?
- Where have you seen God's radical generosity in your own life? How can you reflect that generosity toward someone in need this week?
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for [building up] as fits the occasion.
With every word that comes out of your mouth, you're either gonna have a rotting influence on the here or you're going to fill them with [grace].
Every word that comes out, think about that. With every word you're either gonna build someone up or you're going to [tear] them down.
- Think about your conversations this past week. Have your words been building others up or tearing them down? Ask God to show you one person you can intentionally encourage with your words today.
- What does it mean to 'meet the need of the moment' with what we say? How can you become more sensitive to speaking grace into the lives of those around you?
And do not grieve the [Holy Spirit] of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
You can't produce any of these things on your own. Any of that is evidence of one thing, of you walking in alignment with the [Holy Spirit] of God.
Christianity is a relationship with the living God who saved you and now has given himself to you in the person of the [Holy Spirit].
Every action that I take, every word that I speak, every attitude that I harbor is gonna do one of two things according to this text. It's either going to grieve the Holy Spirit of God or it's gonna [please] the Holy Spirit of God.
- In what areas of your life are you trying to produce change in your own strength rather than depending on the Holy Spirit? Surrender those areas to Him in prayer.
- Reflect on your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Are you walking in alignment with Him, or are there attitudes or actions that are grieving Him? What is one step you can take today to draw closer to the Spirit?