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^“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:4 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul transitions from the subject of sexual immorality to the issue of the tongue. Proper speech is an essential characteristic of the Christian.

James 3:6-12 says, “⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.”  

Ephesians 4:4 begins with the words ^“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk.” Filthiness (αἰσχρότης; aischrotes) means obscene, shameful and indecent speech. Foolish talk (μωρολογία; morologia) refers to speech lacking in understanding and wisdom. Crude joking (εὐτραπελία; eutrapelia) is vulgar and indecent speech. It is speech which is not worthy of praise. It is not speech praising He who is worthy.

This type of speech the apostle says is out of place (ἀνήκω; aneko) meaning unfitting and improper. It is impropriate for a believer in Christ. Within the immediate context, Paul may be referring to sexual innuendo and crude joking involving sexual relationships.  

How often do we use phrases and terms which are common in our culture? Are these words which build other believers up in their faith? Does our speech commend to unbelievers that we are holy men and women of God? Language in our culture can often times be quite vulgar and obscene. Believers in Christ must resolve to speak in a proper and God honoring manner.

One manner of speech which is God honoring is the giving of thanks. Thanksgiving (εὐχαριστία; eucharistia) is the expression of thanks and words of gratefulness (Acts 24:3; 1 Cor. 14:16; 2 Cor. 4:15; 9:11; Eph. 5:4; Php. 4:6; Col. 2:7; 4:2; 1 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:1; 4:3; Rev .7:12).

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “Improprieties in speech—obscenity (aischrotēs, “shameless talk and conduct”), foolish talk (mōrologia, lit., “stupid words”), and coarse jesting (eutrapelia, “vulgar, frivolous wit”)—are out of place for Jesus’ followers, because such vices often harm (cf. 4:29), whereas thanksgiving is appreciation for others and is helpful. Paul was not intimating that humor itself is sin, but that it is wrong when it is used to destroy or tear down others.”

Take time today to examine the programs you watch in visual media and the mobile apps you access. What is the content of the speech? Does it honor God? Are you being influenced by such speech?       

Soli deo Gloria!

“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints” (Ephesians 5:3 (ESV)

Believers in Christ are to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1-2). Patterning our lives after God’s character is to impact all areas of life and living (Ephesians 4:1-32). The Apostle Paul continues to explain what this pattern of life is like.

There are behaviors that must not even be named among you (ὀνομάζω; onomazo). This means that there are behaviors that are never to be associated with a believer. Only what is proper (πρέπω; prepo) or fitting is to characterize a saint’s lifestyle. Paul continues to explain what a proper lifestyle is for the Christian.

There is to be no sexual immorality (πορνεία; proneia) in the Christian’s life. There is to be no engagement into what God identifies as illicit sex. This is known as fornication. It includes sexual sin of a general kind, that includes many different behaviors (Matt. 5:32; 15:19; 19:9; Mark 7:21; John 8:41; Acts 15:20; 1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; 1 Thess. 4:3).

There is to be no impurity (ἀκαθαρσία; akatharsia) in the Christian’s life. This refers to moral filth. It is another word for sexual impurity (Rom. 1:24; 6:19; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 5:3; Col. 3:5; 4:7).

There is to be no covetousness (πλεονεξία; pleonexia) in the Christian’s life. This is greed and avarice. It is wanting more than what one possesses. It is wanting what someone else possesses.

This emphasis on proper sexuality in marriage between a man and a woman was a striking condemnation of the Ephesian culture. Ephesus was filled with all manner of sexual immorality dedicated to the worship of the goddess Diana.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “In absolute contrast to God’s holiness and love, such sins as these exist (also in v. 5), by which Satan seeks to destroy God’s divine work in his children and turn them as far away as possible from his image and will. As do many other Scriptures, this verse shows the close connection between sexual sin and other forms of impurity and greed. An immoral person is inevitably greedy. Such sins are so godless that the world should never have reason even to suspect their presence in Christians.”

Repent and forsake any hint of sexual immorality, impurity and covetousness in your life. Do so today. Do so every day.  

Soli deo Gloria!

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul issues forth his third therefore since he began the application section in Ephesians 4:1. Be reminded that the word therefore indicates a conclusion.

God has justified sinners by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 1-3). Therefore, believers in Christ are to walk and live in a manner worthy of God’s calling unto justification (Ephesians 4:1). Believers in Christ are to no longer live like the unconverted (Ephesians 4:17).

Believers in Christ are also to be imitators of God. An imitator (μιμητής; mimetes) is a person who does what others do. In this particular context, the person believers are to imitate is solely none other than God.

We are to imitate God because we are His beloved children. Beloved (ἀγαπητός; agapetos) means to be the object of God’s self-sacrificial love of the will (Ephesians 2:1-10). Beloved is another word for grace. It is on the basis of God’s gracious love that believers are His offspring. He is our heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9).

It is because we are God’s children by grace that we are to live lifestyles of grace. Believers are commanded to walk (περιπατέω; peripateo) or behave in love (ἀγάπη; agape). Paul sets forth the character of this type of love life in I Corinthians 13:1-8.

We live in love as Jesus Christ loved (ἀγαπάω; agapao) us when we were spiritually dead sinners (Ephesians 2:1-3). The phrase gave himself up for us (παραδίδωμι; paradidomi) refers to Christ’s substitutionary atonement on the cross on behalf of sinners (Romans 3:21-26; 5:1-10; I Peter 2:24-25).

Christ’s substitutionary atonement is compared to a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. A fragrant offering (προσφορά; prosphora) is a sacrifice and presentation to God (Acts 21:26; 24:17; Rom. 15:16; Eph. 5:2; Heb. 10:5, 8, 10, 14, 18). A sacrifice (θυσία; thysia) is another word for an offering to God (Matt. 9:13; Luke 13:1; Acts 7:41; Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 10:18; Eph. 5:2; Php. 4:18; Heb. 5:1; 9:26; 10:1; 13:15, 16; 1 Peter 2:5). This is what our lives are to be unto the Lord.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Christ’s offering of himself for fallen man pleased and glorified his heavenly Father, because it demonstrated in the most complete and perfect way God’s sovereign, perfect, unconditional, and divine kind of love. Leviticus describes five offerings commanded by God for Israel. The first three were: 1) the burnt offering (Lev. 1:1–17), depicting Christ’s perfection; 2) the grain offering (Lev. 2:1–16), depicting Christ’s total devotion to God in giving his life to please the Father; and 3) the peace offering (Lev. 3:1–17), depicting his peacemaking between God and man. All three of these were a “pleasing aroma to the LORD” (Lev. 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5, 16). The other two offerings, the sin offering (Lev. 4:1–5:13) and the guilt, or trespass, offering (Lev. 5:14–6:7), were repulsive to God because, though they depicted Christ, they depicted him as bearing sin (cf. Matt. 27:46). In the end, when redemption was accomplished, the whole work pleased God completely.”

May each of us strive today to please the Lord as children of God. This is our great privilege because of our gracious position. With great privilege comes great responsibility.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

The Holy Spirit of God is grieved when believers in Christ sin (Ephesians 4:30-31). It stands to reason that the Holy Spirit of God is pleased when believers in Christ seek to live holy lives (I Peter 1:16).

What are behaviors and attitudes which please the Holy Spirit of God? The Apostle Paul provides a sampling of a Christ-like life in today’s text. We have thus far seen that to be kind to one another pleases God.

Tenderheartedness pleases God. To be tenderhearted (εὔσπλαγχνος; eusplanchnos) means to be compassionate and to behave with dignity. It is the opposite of being hard hearted and unfeeling.

Forgiving one another pleases God. To be forgiving (χαρίζομαι; charizomai) is a present, active participle. It is a behavior which is to be consistent in the Christian’s life. It means to cancel a debt. In other words, we do not hold a grudge against another believer when they have sinned against us. While we may never be their best friend, we resolve to not be their worst enemy.

This attitude and behavior of forgiveness should be done in light of all that God has forgiven us. This has been accomplished by the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Those who have been forgiven so much by God should, of all people, forgive the relatively small offenses against them by others. The most graphic illustration of this truth is the parable of Matt. 18:21–35.”

Who is it that has sinned against you? Resolve today to no longer be unforgiving towards them. Continue this resolve when feelings of anger begin creeping into your mind, emotions and will.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Sixteen: Of Good Works. Part 4.

7. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others;^a yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith,^b nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word,^c nor to a right end, the glory of God;^d they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God.^e And yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.^f

a. 1 Kings 21:27, 29; 2 Kings 10:30-31; Phil. 1:15-16, 18. • b. Gen. 4:3-5 with Heb. 11:4, 6. • c. Isa. 1:12; 1 Cor. 13:3. • d. Matt. 6:2, 5, 16. • e. Amos 5:21-22; Hosea 1:4; Hag. 2:14; Rom. 9:16; Titus 1:15; 3:5. • f. Job 21:14-15; Ps. 14:4; 36:3; Matt. 23:23; 25:41-45.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “God is grieved when his children refuse to change the old ways of sin for those righteous ways of the new life. It should be noted that such responses by the Holy Spirit indicate he is a person. His personhood is also indicated by personal pronouns (John 14:17; 16:13), his personal care of believers (John 14:16, 26; 15:26), his intellect (1 Cor. 2:11), feelings (Rom. 8:27), will (1 Cor. 12:11), speaking (Acts 13:2), convicting (John 16:8–11), interceding (Rom. 8:26), guiding (John 16:13), glorifying Christ (John 16:14), and serving God (Acts 16:6–7).”

The Holy Spirit of God is grieved when believers in Christ sin (Ephesians 4:30-31). It stands to reason that the Holy Spirit of God is pleased when believers in Christ seek to live holy lives (I Peter 1:16).

What are behaviors and attitudes which please the Holy Spirit of God? The Apostle Paul provides a sampling of a Christ-like life in today’s text.

Be kind to one another pleases God. The state of being verb be (γίνομαι; ginomai) is a present, middle imperative verb. This means the God is commanding believers to personal obedience. This is to be an active obedience. It is to characterize the believer’s existence.

What is the believer in Christ to be? Kind! Kind and kindness (χρηστός; chrestos) means to be loving and gracious (Luke 6:35; Rom. 2:4; Eph. 4:32; 1 Peter 2:3). Kindness is a characteristic of self-sacrificial love of the will (I Corinthians 13:4).

God’s command for the believer in Christ to be kind is specifically to be directed towards other Christians. Believes are to keep on becoming kind to one another. We are to be useful to one another.

Kindness can be evidenced in a variety of ways. For example, it may involve picking up an individual’s groceries when they are housebound. It can involve mowing an individual’s grass or raking their leaves. It can also be picking them up for church. These are but three of hundreds of ways we can be kind and useful to one another. How may you be kind today to a fellow believer in Christ?

Soli deo Gloria!

^30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:30–31 (ESV)

Yesterday we examined Ephesians 4:30. The text commands believers in Christ to not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. To grieve someone is to cause them pain, distress, or sadness. It becomes apparent that the Christian can and does cause the Spirit of God to be grieved. But how?

The answer to this question is found in Ephesians 4:31. It is in this text that the Apostle Paul outlines six ways in which believers in Christ grieve God the Holy Spirit.

Bitterness grieves God. Bitterness (πικρία; pikria) is persistent resentment and spite towards someone (Romans 3:14; Hebrews 12:15). Bitterness can also be displayed by being terribly envious (Acts 8:13).

Wrath grieves God. Wrath (θυμός; thymos) is an intense fury and rage (Luke 4:28; Acts 19:28; Rom. 2:8). Wrath is an outburst of anger.

Anger grieves God. Anger (ὀργή; orge) is a continuous state of wrath or fury (Mark 3:5; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; 1 Tim. 2:8; Heb. 3:11; 4:3; James 1:19, 20+). Anger is settled and continuing emotion.

Clamor grieves God. Clamor (κραυγή; krauge) shouting and screaming. This behavior is done presumably in wrath or anger. It is a brawling personality.

Slander grieves God. Slander (βλασφημία; blasphemia) is speech intended to defame, malign, and revile another individual. It is hateful speech. It is malicious speech. When directed towards God it is called blaspheme.

Malice grieves God. Malice (κακία; kakia) is a wicked or hateful feelings of emotion. It is ill will.

God commands that all these behaviors and emotions be put away (αἴρω; airo). This means to personally and obediently destroy and execute these unrighteous acts and attitudes.  

Are any of these six on your personal hit list? Which ones would you describe as a besetting sin? Confess and repent of each and every one which is evident in your life.      

Soli deo Gloria!

^“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Ephesus, and all Christians everywhere, to put off their old sinful pre-converted desires and behavior, be renewed in their minds through the Word of God, and to put on their new regenerated behavior. This new self is characterized by holiness in desire and righteousness in behavior.

What exactly does righteous and holy behavior look like in our everyday world and culture? It is at this point that Paul becomes specific in the practical biblical truth set forth in Ephesians 4:22-24.

Ephesians 4:25 commands believers in Christ to always speak the truth to their neighbors. Ephesians 4:26-27 addresses the subject of righteous anger. Ephesians 4:28 contrasts stealing vs. working. Ephesians 4:29 commands believers to have gracious speech. Ephesians 4:30 addresses the subject of grieving the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30 begins with a present, active imperative statement: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. To grieve (λυπέω; lypeo) someone is to make them sad or distressed. It is bad enough when Christians grieve other Christians. However, it is even more grievous when the recipient is the Holy Spirit.

Paul describes the Holy Spirit as the One who has sealed (σφραγίζω; sphragizo) each believer in Christ. Therefore, each believer is secure in Christ. This sealing ministry is established until the Lord’s return or the Day of Redemption.

Dr. R. C. Sproul comments that, “That the Holy Spirit can be grieved is an indication of His being a person and not an impersonal force. The idea is not new to the New Testament, as is clear from Paul’s quotation of the prophet Isaiah (63:10). The divisive attitudes and behaviors forbidden (see Ephesians 4:31) disrupt the unity that the Spirit has established in Christ’s church (Ephesians 4:3).”

Let each of us resolve to not grieve anyone today. This especially applies to the believers’ relationship with the Holy Spirit of God. Have a God honoring day.

Soli deo Gloria!

^“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Ephesus, and all Christians everywhere, to put off their old sinful pre-converted desires and behavior, be renewed in their minds through the Word of God, and to put on their new regenerated behavior. This new self is characterized by holiness in desire and righteousness in behavior.

What exactly does righteous and holy behavior look like in our everyday world and culture? It is at this point that Paul becomes specific in the practical biblical truth set forth in Ephesians 4:22-24.

Ephesians 4:25 commands believers in Christ to always speak the truth to their neighbors. Ephesians 4:26-27 addresses the subject of righteous anger. Ephesians 4:28 contrasts stealing vs. working. Ephesians 4:29 commands believers to have gracious speech.

Ephesians 4:29 begins with this imperative phrase: Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths. The word no (μή; me) is a negative adverb. In other words, by no means is the believer to do something. What the believer is to never do is speak in a corrupt[U1]  manner. Corrupting (σαπρός; sapros) is an adjective meaning harmful unwholesome and worthless. Talk (λόγος; logos) means speech, statements and sayings. In brief, the believer in Christ is not to engage in harmful or hurtful speech.

The speech a believer is to have is that which builds up (οἰκοδομή; oikodome) and edifies. It is speech which fits the particular occasion (χρεία; chreia) or what is particularly needed to be heard at the proper time. This type of appropriate speech imparts grace to those who hear.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “The word for “corrupting” refers to that which is foul or rotten, such as spoiled fruit or putrid meat. Foul language of any sort should never pass a Christian’s lips, because it is totally out of character with his new life in Christ (see Col. 3:8; James 3:6–8; cf. Ps. 141:3). The Christian’s speech should be instructive, encouraging, uplifting (even when it must be corrective), and suited for the moment (cf. Prov. 15:23; 25:11; 24:26). Believers have been saved by grace and kept by grace, they should live and speak with grace. Our Lord set the standard (Luke 4:22).”

We speak every day. Let each of us consciously examine how we speak and the character of our speech. May we resolve to always speak graciously.  

Have a God honoring day.

Soli deo Gloria!

---

 [U1]

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Ephesus, and all Christians everywhere, to put off their old sinful pre-converted desires and behavior, be renewed in their minds through the Word of God, and to put on their new regenerated behavior. This new self is characterized by holiness in desire and righteousness in behavior.

What exactly does righteous and holy behavior look like in our everyday world and culture? It is at this point that Paul becomes specific in the practical biblical truth set forth in Ephesians 4:22-24.

Ephesians 4:25 commands believers in Christ to always speak the truth to their neighbors. Ephesians 4:26-27 addresses the subject of righteous anger. Ephesians 4:28 contrasts stealing vs. working.

To begin with, the apostle Paul states let the thief no longer steal. A thief (κλέπτω; klepto) is an individual who steals from someone else. For the believer in Christ, God’s command is to no longer steal.

Instead, the believer in Christ is to work: but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands. Labor (κοπιάω; kopiao) is a present active command to work hard and to toil for what one seeks to acquire. The believer is to do work (ἐργάζομαι; ergazomai) and to accomplish a task with his/her own hands. The purpose of work is not solely to acquire stuff, but also to share from one’s resources to those who are in need.  

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “Christians are not to steal, but are to work in order to give to the needy. A thief takes from others for his own benefit, whereas a believer is to work, doing something useful (agathon, “beneficial”; cf. v. 29) with his own hands for the purpose of sharing with those in need. This is true Christian charity. Work has many benefits: it provides for a person’s material needs, it gives him something useful to do (something that is beneficial to himself and others), and it enables him to help others materially.”     

Believers are to be content with what they have and work hard; not only to maintain what they possess, to acquire what they do not presently have, but also to share with those who are in true need.

Have a God honoring day.

Soli deo Gloria!