WE ARE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER
Thursday – January 19, 2017
At one time we owned two buffalo (pictured) who were named Adam and Eve. Now you know what Adam and Eve looked like (just kidding). Greetings from The Three Minute Word publications and our prayer for your success in the Kingdom fulfilling of the will of God for you. I will now return to our Bible Study from the Book of Ephesians.
Ephesians 4:22-26 (KJV)
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
So what is with all this change business, why not just bump along until we die and then just go on to Heaven? First and foremost, that approach may not result in the desired end of going on to Heaven. Second, it means we have ignored our Heavenly Father and Savior entirely with no attention given to the commandments and the culture of the Kingdom of God. Third, it means that we never looked like Jesus and never presented a favorable image of the Kingdom and were therefore a drag and a detriment to the Kingdom. Fourth, we never did the works of Jesus or the greater works reversing the curse in people’s lives. And fifth, we contaminated the body of Christ, causing those with whom were to be fitly joined together with to not be fully effectual (Ephesians 4:16).
From our text above in verse twenty-five the Apostle Paul starts speaking about not lying, and telling the truth (and the Truth) because we are member one of another or part of the body (body of Christ). You would think that could go without saying but apparently not. As you pay attention to the world, lying is rampant, even an expected part of everyday interactions. We even have interesting terms to explain our deviant and devious behavior, like “I misspoke”, no you lied. Not lying became one of the big ten (Ten Commandments) when God said:
Exodus 20:16 (KJV)
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Why do you suppose lying is so abhorrent to God? The Word of God is sacrosanct, the Word of God is God (John 1:1), the Word is inseparable from God and is one with God. Since we are made in the image and likeness of God therefore our words are to be pure for they are us. Scripture tells us that as a man thinks so is the man (Proverbs 23:7). Thoughts precede words and the good or evil treasure in the heart (thoughts) determines the words and subsequently what is produced in our lives (Matthew 12:35). Lying is of the spirit of anti-Christ and produces the fruit of stealing, killing, and destroying in our lives. Since Jesus is the Word and God loves the Word, it was the Word who came and redeemed us, when we speak contrary to the Word we are speaking abominations in the sight of God. Listen to this familiar Word of Scripture.
Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV)
16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Did you notice that lying is mentioned twice, in verses seventeen and nineteen? Lying really ticks God off.
Ephesians 4:23-26 (KJV)
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Brother Paul tells us that we may get angry, perhaps in a very energetic or passionate way but we are not to sin in the midst of that anger or passion, we must control it, and quickly move past it not going to bed angry. We are not to become physical towards another, speak harshly, or retain our anger except very briefly in the same day. I don’t suppose I really need to say it but we both know this is not as simple as Paul makes it sound. When our emotions become enflamed we don’t want to calm down, we have trouble thinking rationally, and we want to strike out verbally and physically. We may become angry as we observe violations of God’s Word or we may become angry (a sign of fear) for personal reasons. Both must be dealt with quickly because anger will rot our soul and bring disease into our bodies. As I close for today let’s take a look at the next verse, the next admonition.
Ephesians 4:27 (KJV)
27 Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:27 (GW)
27 Don’t give the devil any opportunity {to work}.
This whole chapter, really the whole Bible, is designed to educate us about Godly living and not giving the devil any opportunity in our lives. Do you remember what the devils (the thief) full-time job is?
John 10:10 (KJV)
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The thief’s (devil) full-time job is to steal, kill, and destroy. And what is Jesus’ full-time job? Showing us and providing for us an abundant life.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
