READING: Eph. 4:25-32: Therefore, putting away lying, … Be angry, and do not sin … steal no longer … no corrupt… but what is good … And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God … Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Paul now gets specific about the conduct of Christians in contrast to unbelievers. It follows from his previous instruction that they must put off the old self and put on the new self. They must henceforth let the Holy Spirit work within them.
Paul’s words align with the Sermon on the Mount by the Lord Jesus. Their yes should be yes; they must not lie, for lying is sinful (Matt. 5:37). They must not speak evil against their brothers, for they will be liable to the hell of fire (Matt. 5:22), and so forth.
While genuine anger over sin and dishonesty is permissible, beware of letting your anger lead you into sin by, for instance, cursing others (vs. 26, Ps. 4:4). And if you do express your anger, quickly resolve the matter with your brother so that the devil does not seize an opportunity to sow hatred.
Both in the Sermon on the Mount and here in Eph. 5, the work of the devil in sinning against others is highlighted. Now that they have come to know Christ and have even received His Spirit, there should be no room for such sinful actions.
The way they interact within the church should be proof that the love of God in Christ has been poured into their hearts (Rom. 5:5). It is the same Spirit that not only unites them with Christ but also with one another in the communion of saints (1 Cor. 12:13, communion form).
Allowing mutual anger or bitterness hinders the work of the Holy Spirit. Forgive one another just as God in Christ has forgiven us. If you do not do so, there will be no forgiveness for yourself (Matt. 6:15).
Do you also have weaknesses that need to change?
Singing: Ps. 86:4