Are You Dressed for Success?/ Ephesians 4:17-32
Brooks’ First Rodeo
The invitation read, “Please Join us for Brooks’ First Rodeo.” It was an invitation to celebrate our great-grandson’s first birthday. You would think we would have known it was a cowboy-themed party. But we didn’t, so we wore the wrong clothes. It was far from our worst fashion faux pas, but we still felt a little out of place.
Have you ever wished you could go back and take off the clothes you are wearing and put on something more appropriate for the occasion? Or maybe you check yourself in the mirror every time you leave your house to make sure your clothes look right.
Taking Off and Putting On
In Ephesians 4:17-32, Paul uses a similar illustration to show us how to act appropriately as followers of Jesus. He reminds us that we have been called out of the world and into a new kingdom, so we should remove our old identity and put on our new one.
In Ephesians 4:20-24, Paul tells us that we are to live how we have been taught, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which was corrupted by deceitful desires, and to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self.”
Then, in 4:25-32 Paul lists some of the actions we need to take off and those we should put on instead:
Take Off
Falsehood Lingering anger Unwholesome talk
Put On
Truthful speech Controlled responses Uplifting speech
From falsehood to truthful speech. The Greek word for falsehood is pseudo, which includes all kinds of lying, from outright whoppers to nuances intended to mislead. We live in a “fact-check” world that feeds on deception, from social media to daily news, so it’s hard to know who to trust. However, as Jesus' Followers, we are called to be known for speaking the truth in love, so we do not cause confusion or bring shame to the cause of Christ.
From lingering anger to controlled responses. Even Jesus got angry with sin. However, Paul warns us that, when we allow our anger to linger, to hold a grudge, or seek revenge, anger becomes sin. He further says these attitudes can only hurt us when we practice them and give the devil a foothold to harm us. Instead, we are to turn to reconciliation and forgiveness just as Jesus did toward us.
From unwholesome talk to uplifting speech. The Greek word for unwholesome was used to describe rotten fruit or fish—yuck. It refers to cursing, vulgarity, sarcasm, or mean-spirited remarks. This got to me because I struggle with replying with sarcasm and witty retorts. I may think they build me up, but in reality, they often hurt others. In a world where we all need to feel more loved, Paul tells us to specialize in words that build others up and supply the grace others need.
Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit
In the middle of his warnings, Paul adds, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed.” (4:30) Here, Paul reminds us that, though our sealing with God is permanent, our sin is always with us, and it can cause pain and distress to the Holy Spirit.
The word “grieve” is the same word that describes Jesus' agonizing distress in the Garden before going to the cross. When we lie, lash out in anger, or verbally hurt someone, we cause the Holy Spirit sorrow. However, when we depend on the Holy Spirit to help us walk as Christ has called us to live, we delight the Spirit of God.
Check Your Mirror Daily
Paul encourages us to rid our closets of the stained, torn, dirty garments of our past lives and replace them with a clean, fresh wardrobe custom-tailored by the Holy Spirit to reflect God’s holiness in our new life in Christ.
Whenever you look in the mirror, think of the Holy Spirit as your spiritual mirror to constantly check your wardrobe. Does it fit who you are in Christ? Is it appropriate for the situation? Because the next time you’re invited to a cowboy-themed birthday party, you want to make sure to wear your boots and jeans.
Maranatha,
Andy
