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Putting off the Old Life and Putting on the New – Ephesians 4:17-32 – Bible study

Putting off the Old Life and Putting on the New – Ephesians 4:17-32 – Bible study

Putting off the Old Life and Putting on the New

Ephesians 4:17-32

by Cooper Abrams

    Introduction:            The story is told of a young man who was about to graduate from college. His father was wealthy and the son had expressed his wish for a sports car for his graduation. On the day of graduation the father went to the son and handed him a gift wrapped box. The son opened the box and found a beautiful leather Bible. Angrily the son lashed out at his father saying; you are wealthy man and for my graduation you give me a Bible? He angrily stormed out of the room leaving the Bible behind. Afterwards he had little to do with his father. Years pasted and he received word his father had died. His father left most of his wealth to his son. After the funeral he was going through his father’s papers and found the box with the Bible still in it. He opened the Bible and it opened where a paper had been placed between the pages. The paper was in the Gospel of Matthew chapter seven. Verse 11 was underlined. The verse reads “And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?” The son looked at the paper and saw it was an invoice from the local car dealer for the car he had wanted. It was dated the day of his graduation and was marked, “Paid in Full.”

               We have a loving God who has made a wonderful plan for His children to live by. He wants the best for us and offers it to us freely, but there is one condition. We must be willing to receive it. This young man knew of his father’s wealth, but let his pride and anger control his actions. He did not love or respect his father and when he thought he was not given what he wanted his true character showed. Clearly, he did not trust his father. He sinned against his father and missed the thing he most desired. Most of all he missed the years of having a close relationship with his dad. His lack of trust cost him dearly and all those years he let bitterness and an unforgiving spirit cause him great suffering. All of us want peace and joy in our lives and it is possible for us to have that in our lives.

               However, most think that peace and joy is having everything go our way. Yet, our Savior knows what is best and He wants to bless us, but he cannot if we do not repent and turn from our sins. We each must accept the fact that sin and a lack of trust in our lives deprives us of God’s best and we often flounder around tossed to and fro when God’s peace is only a repentant prayer away.

               God inspired the Apostle Paul to write this book to teach us in righteousness, which means doing what is right and what is best for us. Listen to what our God and loving Father says to us.

      I. Walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of the mind. V17-21.

        A. Note this letter is addressed to Gentile believers. The text says they should not walk as “other” Gentiles. The unsaved walk or conduct their lives directed by the “vanity” of their minds. The word means inutility, or serviceability of their minds. The word notes the condition of the lost is their minds are in a state of transientness, meaning not staying in the same place. Their wishes and motivations are always changing.

                   “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

        B. Verse 18, says that their understanding is darkened because there are alienated from the life of God.

                   To be in the dark means one cannot see. The reason the unsaved cannot see is because they do not have true life that is only found in Jesus Christ.

                   God says they are ignorant, which means they do not know what is right and cannot discern truth. Their hearts are blinded because they are controlled and directed by the old nature. C. God says in verse 19 that they past feeling, meaning the natural result of rejecting Jesus Christ is to become apathetic. They just are not concerned with the Lord or doing what is right. The lost give themselves over to lasciviousness which means things that are wanton and filthy. Lasciviousness denotes the absence of restraint and decency.

                   Peter speaking to believers reminds them of their past sins and admonishes them to live godly lives.

                   “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” (1 Peter 4:1-6)

                   Ephesians 4:19 explains that the vain life of the unsaved produces uncleanness with is the result of greed. Greed means being selfish and caring only for oneself. The unsaved person will give love if they are given love in return, but they will turn on the one who offends them. They are unforgiving because they are selfish and pride dominates their life. It is a sad, sad picture. It may look on the outside, but inside there is a cesspool. Dear friends this is God revealing to us the truth that most of us do not want to see.D. Ephesians 4:20 is like stepping outside a horrible place and getting a breath of cool, clean, and refreshing air. “But ye have not so learned Christ.”

                   But Paul continues, this you have not learned by Christ. The believer has been freed from having to live this terrible existence. In Christ there is peace and joy, there is purity and things are clean.

        ILLUS: Doesn’t it make you feel good when you go into a home that is clean, and neatly arranged? If you go into a store and it is dirty and things are not placed in order you will not likely return and shop there again. When the house is clean and in order we do not have to hide things or be ashamed for others to see it.

                   Likewise, the Christian who lives for Christ will naturally feel that all is well with his soul. His life reflects the purity of Jesus Christ and His righteousness. He becomes a bright light that will shine in the lives of others. He will have the satisfaction of knowing that he is pleasing his Savior and honoring Him who loved him enough to pay his sin debt.

                   Yet, the opposite is also true.

      II. Put off concerning the former conversation the old man. V21-31

        A. Verse 21 is subjective and presents a question. The question is the blessing of knowing Jesus Christ and having Him transform one’s life is brought about when the believer puts off the “former conversation.”

                   Paul is saying, IF one has truly heard and been taught the truth by the Lord Jesus Christ, then he should abandon the old life of living by controlled by the old corrupt nature. V22B. IF one has truly heard and been taught the truth by the Lord Jesus Christ he will be renewed in the spirit of his mind and will put on the new man.

                   Living a godly life and reaping the blessing of God can begin when a person believes and receives Jesus Christ as their Savior. However, it is not automatic. God tells us we must make a choice in believing and in faith receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior. We must also believe and in faith put on the new man. The not make a decision is to reject the Lord in our lives. There is no middle ground.

      ILLUS: I have often used the illustration of many years ago when I joined the Army at the recruiting station in Raleigh, NC. I made a choice to join the regular Army. I was not drafted nor force to join. I wanted to become a soldier. I raised my hand with a group of other young men and swore an oath to uphold the constitution of the United States, to defend this nation against its enemies both foreign and domestic. I was officially a soldier in the US Army, but I knew nothing of how to be a soldier or little of what a soldier was to do. I was no longer a civil, but a GI which means “government issued.” The next 16 weeks of my life I was a Fort Jackson, SC and I learned though the gurgling training how to become a soldier. They gave me a uniform, field gear and a weapon and taught me how to use it. But even then I was untried, but for the next seven years I continue to train and perform my duties and I lived the life of a proficient soldier. I was tried under fire spending one year in Vietnam. My service record shows that I was a good soldier.

                   Christians who are saved are given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the new nature. They then have the ability to live for Christ. They are changed and are now the children of God. They are no longer unsaved, but become a “born again” believer with a new life to live.

        C. Verses 25-31 lists the sins of the flesh that have no place in the life of a child of God. God is saying His children should act like a Christian.

          1. Verse 25. Put away lying and speak the truth. The phrase “for we are members one of another” means if we lie we hurt others and also hurt ourselves. We are the family of God and we must mutually live godly lives to the benefit of ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

          2. Verse 26. Anger is a God given feeling, but it can be misused. Anger should not cause us to sin. We have all heard the term “righteous indignation.” Indignation at sin and that which dishonors our Lord and Savior is not sin. But it can become sin when we let it take control and cause us to hurt other people. A man who does not keep his anger or temper in check becomes the slave of that anger. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit as Ephesians 5:18 says and thereby controlled by Him.

                     It is easy to let our anger get out of control. But Jesus said that vengeance was His and said to His disciples “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)

          3. God says we are not to give place to the devil. If we let our emotions take control, we allow the devil to have his way and we dishonor the Lord Jesus. Not giving place to the devil would include not indulging in the sins and vises that our flesh desires.

      ILLUS: Years ago there was a man in my church who was faithful in attendance and a good church member. One day I walked into a Mexican restaurant and he was sitting at a table by himself eating. Next to his plate was a beer. I did not confront him, but later tactfully asked him about it. He said he did not think drinking a beer with a meal was wrong. He tried to use the scriptures to justify drinking. I pointed out that he was misapplying these passages, but he did not seem to want to accept this truth. I then asked him if he would willing do something to harm someone else? He replied no, but added his drinking a beer did not hurt anyone. I reminded him that his drinking was seen by others and they then questioned his salvation. He was allowing drinking to rob him of his testimony for Christ. I then asked him did he think that his drinking was worth the price he was paying and the dishonor to the Savior who died for Him. Which was worth more to him drinking a beer with a meal or his testimony as a Christ. He replied….No, it wasn’t worth it at all!

          4. Christians are not to steal. Do you get the idea that God is saying that believed can lie, do things that honor the devil and even steal? The answer is yes. Christians can to all these things, but they will suffer for them. It is the mark of a baby Christian to do these things.

          5. Verse 29, addresses the language of Christians. James 3:10 says, “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” (James 3:10-12)

                     Corrupt communication involves cursing, but also gossiping, backbiting, carrying tales and judgmental speaking against others. The word “corrupt” refers to something that is putrid and rotten. God says Christians are to use our tongues to speak that which is good and lifts or strengthens others, and that our speech should minister grace to others. It means that God wants to use us as ministers or instrument to give His grace to others.

                     James warns us of the danger of a mouth that is unchecked: “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” (James 3:6)

                     God used Peter to tell us: “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” (1 Peter 3:10-12)6. God says we should not grieve the Holy Spirit. This statement gives a warning and assurance. God says we should not cause the Holy Spirit to be sorrowful for us, but He assures us the Holy Spirit will seal us unto the day of redemption. We are eternally saved, but we are still in this old bodies and we can work against the Holy Spirit in our lives. Sin hinders us, and is a illness that keeps the Holy Spirit from being able to guide us and bring blessings in our lives. A Christian who sins makes himself sick and must endure the illness and pain it cause. All sin, no matter how small will have its destructive result in our lives.

          7. Verse 31 warns of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking and malice be put away out of your life. Do you know how to do that? The cure is simple. Forgive and forget.

            To overcome bitterness….show kindness to those who oppose us or despitefully use us.

            To overcome wrath, which means wanton passion, we must control our temper and show love and mercy to those who abuse us.

            To overcome anger, which means to hold a lasting resentment we must be forgiving. To overcome clamour we must accept our circumstances and live in faith. Calmour means to make an outcry. One commentator described it as being like a horse who was angry that it had to carry its rider. We must accept our circumstances believing God. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) However, God cannot work to bring good from the difficulties of our lives if we give sin and anger a place. It will feed and grow to overcome us and rob us of our peace, with God and with others.

            To put away malice. Malice is described as ” “fires fed within, and not appearing to by-standers from without, are the most formidable.” It is the secret pent up feelings of resentment against others. It can even be directed towards God. Malice is sin and to overcome it we must confess it to the Lord and repent of it. It we nurture malice it will consume us and all around us.

        III. Be kind one to another. V32.

                     The last verse puts all harmful things to rest and paves the way toward having peace and joy in our lives. We are simply to be kind to one another, tenderhearted and forgiving.

                     This is the cure. No conflict between others can find root to grow when these three things are in control. But it takes effort and motivation. The last phrase states the motivation for the believer.

          “Even as God, for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”

        Conclusion:

                     God’s plan is clear. He is telling us what we most need to hear….that is to make the love of Christ towards us the motivating cause in our lives.

          “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29)

                     God knows what is best for us and wants us to be like the Lord Jesus Himself. We should be a reflection of His righteousness and purity to the world.

                     Think how wonderful it would be if each of us would make this commitment to the Lord to put on the new man and put off all the sins of our former lives. What a blessing that would be to ourselves and those around us.

                     The question then is stated in Verse 21….If it be so that you have learned Christ. This morning what is your decision? What will you do with God’s loving instruction.

                     Will you respond in apathy as the unsaved man or in submission to the Savior who loves you. Please understand, this message is directed to each one who is here in the room. No one here is above these numerous sins. Yet, we should thank the Savior He is seeking even at this very moment to free us from sin and it destructive results.

                     What will you do this morning with the message Christ as spoken to us through this Epistle.

          9-24-07

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