We Need to Turn from Our Old Ways and Be Renewed

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Comment on verse 17

This verse contains the next two "walks" of Ephesians -- don’t walk as the Gentiles (or unbelievers) and don’t walk in the vanity of your mind. Too many Christians today are trying to look, act, and talk as much as unbelievers as they can. They seem to want to be as close to the world as possible, adopting many ungodly values and beliefs. We are not to walk as unbelievers. We are to be different. We need to follow after the example of Christ, not the example of our society. Also, some Christians walk in the vanity of their minds -- they are filled with pride and think their way is the only way. They become so vain in their thinking that they believe their thoughts must be God’s thoughts and never take time to listen to the voice of God. We are instructed not to walk in the vanity of our mind. We need to allow God to speak to us and instruct us.

Q1--These verses show us how unbelievers live. What are the dangers we need to avoid as mentioned in verse 18?

Comment on verse 18

Before we served God, we did many things wrong which we now need to avoid. Our understanding was darkened -- we were fooled by the values of this world. We were alienated from the life of God -- we neglected attending church and spiritual matters. We were ignorant -- we did not know the things of God. Our heart was blinded -- we could not feel God’s move in our life or sense his direction.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Q2--Looking at verse 21, what are things that believers have done?

We have heard the call of Christ in our heart, we have been taught by him from his word, and we have learned the truth of God.

Hendricksen comments,

"To learn Christ is more than to learn about Christ. Not only had the Ephesians received a body of teaching, namely, about Christ, and not only had they observed in the lives of those who brought it what this doctrine was able to achieve, but in addition, they themselves by an act of Spirit-wrought faith had welcomed this Christ into their hearts. ...by constant and systematic attendance upon the means of grace, by prayer and answers to prayer, by daily living in accordance with the principles of the truth of the gospel, they had learned Christ, yes, Christ himself in very person."

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Q3--How do you think God renews your mind?

God gives us a new outlook. He replaces our desires with his desires and changes our way of thinking. We begin looking at things differently.

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Q4--What do you think it means to put on the new man or new self?

Comment on verse 24

When we are saved, we become a new creation. All the old ways of doing things are replaced by a new desire to serve God and obey him. The old man -- selfish, indulgent, wanting to do what’s wrong -- is replaced by the new man -- caring, obedient, and wanting to help others. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

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:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

Q5--Do you ever lose your temper? What do you think verse 26 means when it says let not the sun go down on your anger?

I think verse 26 means don’t carry a grudge. If you’re upset about something, let it go before the day is over. Remaining angry and upset about something is not healthy.

Hendricksen comments,

"Having spoken about anger, the apostle now turns to that into which anger may easily degenerate, namely, the spirit of resentment, the angry mood, the sullen countenance that is indicative of hatred and of the unforgiving attitude. The day must not end thus. Before another dawns, nay rather, before the sun even sets...genuine forgiveness must not only have filled the heart but must, if at all possible, have come to open expression so that the neighbor has benefited from its blessing."

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Q6--What does verse 28 teach us about the work ethic? Do you think this verse teaches against people being on welfare? What does it teach about charity?

Comment on verse 28

This verse reinforces the work ethic that made America great. Welfare was originally designed as a social safety net to help those going through a difficult time. Unfortunately, some people used it as a way of not working. Notice that this verse tells us that we are to work not only to take care of our own needs, but also to be able to help others. So the original idea of welfare as helping those in need is endorsed by God.

Q7--List all the bad things we are to get rid of which are mentioned in verses 25-31.

Lying, being angry, giving place to the devil, stealing, corrupt communication, grieving the Holy Spirit, bitterness, wrath, anger (again), clamor, evil speaking, and malice.

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Q8--Name the 3 things in this verse that Paul encourages us to do. What do you think each means?

     1. Be kind to one another,
     2. tenderhearted,
     3. forgiving one another.

Colossians 3:12-13

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."

Footnotes:

All scriptures from the King James Version. Questions based on both the King James Version and the New International Version



	A Study of Ephesians 4:17-32