Ephesians 4

Joey and I are reading Ephesians right now. Wow. I dig this book. It's possibly my favorite. I got so excited reading Eph. 4 last night that I had to share it.

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

Whoa, I said. Know people like that? Jac said. "yeah, me sometimes...still." But when I read this, I feel God showing me where I've been and how He has changed me. So, here is more of the verse which almost had me in tears by the end.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Okay, I can't stop myself.

25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold.

Another whoa. Joey laughed and said, "I'm holding you to this one." Yeah. Sometimes when I am angry, I'll let the sun go down two or three times before I face it. Then, there are those mornings when I wake up and just feel grumpy. Why is that? There must be a reason we do this. Something is making us grumpy if we search for it deep inside. Lately, though, I've been waking up and listening to Joyce. She tells me to enjoy everyday life every single day. She tells me how much God loves me. I learn tons from her. The devil does not get a foothold on me when I start my day. Not any more. Now, during the day...I'm a work in progress.

This is where I got to hold Joey to something:
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

I don't think this means to never swear. That's a whole new post, though. Consider your audience. Consider if you are building up or tearing down.

30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Do you think that is as beautiful and perfectly stated as I do? This is an area God is growing me up in. I think I'm finally going to post the posts I've been holding off on. Get rid of it. Just get rid of it.

With that said, I'm going to the Poison concert tonight. Whoo-hoo!!!!!