Enjoy the Word today as we complete Ephesians chapter 4. I love the book of Ephesians it is so full of hope and promise. It reminds us that we have been saved by a loving God and we are no longer bound by what we once were.
Ephesians 4:25-32 NIV
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Do not give the devil a foothold! I have this verse committed to memory of course I learned it from the KJV "niether give place to the devil". This is such an important truth. The bible tells us that if we "resist the devil and he will flee ", if we read that entire verse we understand that we resist the devil or rebuke him by submitting to God.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
The Apostle Paul goes through several areas where we might fail and give place to the devil. Lies, anger, gossip or unwholesome talk, bitterness and so forth. We all have areas of life where we struggle. Areas of temptation where we have weakness but the Word says there is no temptation that cannot be overcome. The bible says we are overcomers. When we fall we need to get up and put it under the blood. Some say I can't overcome this one thing and I have tried. Paul then says to not "grieve the Holy Spirit of God", how important that statement is. When the Holy Spirit is pleased with us we are surrounded by the glory of God. But when we grieve the Spirit He doesn't have the freedom to work in our lives. When we listen to His voice and obey we please the Father and we walk in the blessing. Our own efforts are generally fruitless but when we surrender and admit our weakness then God comes along and brings about our deliverance, He is our strength. I am thankful that Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave and firmly put the devil in His place. I don't always feel like it but God says I am a victor! That's right WE are victorious and not victims. Jesus paid it all, the entire price for my freedom. Let's walk in victory today by denying the flesh and walking in the Spirit. Submit to God and get under the blood of Jesus. Paul wraps his message up with some words of encouragement reminding us that Jesus forgave us of all our sins. Be encouraged God is our champion and in Him we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
Blessings,
Pastor Larry
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