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Written by Rob Barkman for “Settled In Heaven Ministries” @ http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/

View original post @ http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2014/04/17/sihs-think-on-these-things-ephesians-429/

SIH’s Think On These Things: Ephesians 4:29
by Rob Barkman

“Reflections Of His Grace”

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

The Grace Of Renewal: Ephesians 4:17-32

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

With this devotional, we are beginning the second division of the book of Ephesians. Previously, we have looked at “Reflections Of His Grace Revealed” (chaps 1-3). It that section, Paul revealed to us the gracious works of the Lord in the lives of His chosen people.

In this new section “Reflections Of His Grace Applied” (chaps 4-6) Paul will be explaining to us the practical effects of God’s grace in the lives of His people.

The Grace Of Unity (4:1-6)
The Grace Of Maturity (4:7-16)
The Grace Of Renewal (4:17-32)
The Grace Of Imitation (5:1-14)
The Grace Of Wisdom (5:15-21)
The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
The Grace Of Authority/Submission (6:1-9)
The Grace Of Preparedness (6:10-21)
The next effect of God’s grace we will be looking at is the grace of RENEWAL (4:17-32). The word translated “renewed” is a Greek word that carries with it the ideas of:
1. to reform
2. to make fresh
3. to restore youth

When these are viewed together we can see that the idea of renewal is “a renovation that restores to a previous condition which results in renewed power, refreshment and perception.”

In the context of this study, our mind is spoken of as being “renewed” with the receipt of the new nature given to us at our salvation. Basically this is teaching us that our mind is changed to resemble our minds before the fall of man. Some of these would include:
1. a mind with a greater desire to think on things pleasing to God,
2. a mind with an ability to more clearly perceive and apply God’s Word and will to the life
3. a mind with an ability to perceive and oppose wickedness, temptation and other evil influences.

Keeping all this in mind, lets turn our attention to this is a very basic outline of this section of Scripture:
I. The Walk Of Our Old Man (vs 17-22)
II. Our New Man with a Renewed Mind (23-24)
III. The Walk Of Our New Man (vs 25-32)

EXPOSITION:

(Ephesians 4:29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Paul continues to look at the characteristics of the new man, a blessing given to us by God’s grace…

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,
Another area of our life that is affected by our walk as a “new man” is our speech. The walk of the “new man” includes refraining from “corrupt communication”.
What is “corrupt communication”? This term is translated from a phrase that means “rotten”, “worthless”, or “decayed” speech. It describes sinful speech that flows from those who are spiritually dead, working death in the lives of all who live according to it. As it proceeds from the mouth it is like a decaying rotted corpse that is putrefied and repulsive to all who follow Christ.

“Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips: Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness:” (Romans 3:13-14)
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” (Colossians 3:8-9)
In practical terms, it is any speech that contains error and spiritual foolishness, leads men astray from the truths of God’s Word and finds it origins in Satan “the father of lies” (John 8:44).

but that which is good to the use of edifying,

Instead, we are to be sure that our speech is filled with that which is “good” (beneficial to man and pleasing to God.) It is to be motivated by the desire to “edify” (build up and strengthen) others spiritually.
“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:5-6)

In practical terms, edifying speech is Biblically sound speech that contains the appropriate message for any given situation. It is always delivered with a gracious, kind humble attitude that flows from a heart of love and concern for others.

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
This is the ultimate motivation behind the Godly speech of the new man. It is to “hand over” grace to the hearer, much like a waiter would hand over food to their customer. In other words, it is a type of speech that reveals God’s grace to all who will listen.
For those who are lost, through our words and acts we will reveal God’s gracious salvation, His love and kindness…
“Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:11-12)

“Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear.” (1 Peter 3:1-2)

For those who are saved, through our words and acts we will reveal God’s graciousness , helping them to spiritually grow and prosper…
“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” (Galatians 6:6)

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all [men]. See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].” (1 Thessalonians 5:11-15)

APPLICATION:

Some of the characteristics of those who live according to the “new man” by a renewed spirit of the mind include:
1. Truthfulness and Transparency
2. Holding Anger Against Sin
3. Prompt Cessation Of Ungodly Anger
4. No Submission To Satan’s Use
5. Laboring To Meet Physical Needs
6. Good and Edifying Speech

May we all recognize these characteristics are all a result of the Lord’s direct intervention in our lives creating in us the “new man” and giving us the grace to live according to it.

May we all get a clearer picture of our Lord and Savior, and the great grace He has shown to us. Let us be always watchful to keep His great acts of grace on our behalf in the center of our attention… In doing so, may we be motivated to LOVE Him more, APPRECIATE Him more and SERVE Him more!

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