Ephesians 4:25-32: A Clean Break
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Friends advise us: Just make a clean break. Go cold turkey. Say no. Walk away. These words are easily heard and just as easily ignored for it is so difficult to break away from habits that feel so comfortable and people who are so predictable . . . despite the fact that these people and circumstances bring us pain. We listen – as did the Ephesians – to Paul’s advice. From THE MESSAGE:
No more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
We tell ourselves to remain calm, to go with the flow. Paul has other words for us.
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life
We convince ourselves that we harm no one if we remain in a dishonest relationship. Paul tells us differently.
Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work.
We say to one another that our anger is justified. Paul reminds us that there is another way.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
We believe that we are disconnected, abandoned, neglected or forgotten. Paul tells us otherwise.
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.
In the end, Paul tells us, a clean break is better than a rotting connection.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
When we compare this translation with others, we find new meaning in old words.
Tomorrow, God’s shepherding love.
Images from: https://www.thehealingcentervegas.com/blog/the20-secondruleandhabits and http://thesurprisinggodblog.gci.org/2012/12/does-everyone-have-holy-spirit.html
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