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Ephesians 4:1-32 (CEV)

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¹ As a prisoner of the Lord, I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. ² Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. ³ Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace. ⁴ All of you are part of the same body. There is only one Spirit of God, just as you were given one hope when you were chosen to be God's people. ⁵ We have only one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. ⁶ There is one God who is the Father of all people. Not only is God above all others, but he works by using all of us, and he lives in all of us. ⁷ Christ has generously divided out his gifts to us. ⁸ As the Scriptures say, "When he went up to the highest place, he led away many prisoners and gave gifts to people." ⁹ When it says, "he went up," it means that Christ had been deep in the earth. ¹⁰ This also means that the one who went deep into the earth is the same one who went into the highest heaven, so that he would fill the whole universe. ¹¹ Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, ¹² so that his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. ¹³ This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him. ¹⁴ We must stop acting like children. We must not let deceitful people trick us by their false teachings, which are like winds that toss us around from place to place. ¹⁵ Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head ¹⁶ of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love. ¹⁷ As a follower of the Lord, I order you to stop living like stupid, godless people. ¹⁸ Their minds are in the dark, and they are stubborn and ignorant and have missed out on the life that comes from God. They no longer have any feelings about what is right, ¹⁹ and they are so greedy that they do all kinds of indecent things. ²⁰ But that isn't what you were taught about Jesus Christ. He is the truth, and you heard about him and learned about him. ²¹ (SEE 4:20) ²² You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits. ²³ Let the Spirit change your way of thinking ²⁴ and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy. ²⁵ We are part of the same body. Stop lying and start telling each other the truth. ²⁶ Don't get so angry that you sin. Don't go to bed angry ²⁷ and don't give the devil a chance. ²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Be honest and work hard, so you will have something to give to people in need. ²⁹ Stop all your dirty talk. Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say. ³⁰ Don't make God's Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins. ³¹ Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. ³² Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.


This passage relates to the following topic(s):
(v. 2) Humility - Be completely humble and gentle
(v. 2) Love - Bear with one another in love
(v. 2) Gentleness - Be completely humble and gentle
(v. 3) Eagerness / Diligence / Seeking / Readiness - Make every effort to keep the unity
(v. 3) Unity - Make every effort to keep the unity
(v. 4) Baptism / Conversions - One body, one baptism, one Lord
(v. 4) Church - One body, one baptism, one Lord
(v. 5) Baptism / Conversions - One body, one baptism, one Lord
(v. 5) Church - One body, one baptism, one Lord
(v. 6) Baptism / Conversions - One body, one baptism, one Lord
(v. 6) Church - One body, one baptism, one Lord
(v. 11) Leadership - God gave some the gift of leadership
(v. 11) Growth / Maturity - God has given each other to help us mature
(v. 12) Leadership - God gave some the gift of leadership
(v. 12) Growth / Maturity - God has given each other to help us mature
(v. 13) Growth / Maturity - God has given each other to help us mature
(v. 14) Growth / Maturity - God has given each other to help us mature
(v. 15) Unity - Together to grow and build each other up in love
(v. 15) Discipling / Correction - Speaking the truth in love and build each other up
(v. 16) Discipling / Correction - Speaking the truth in love and build each other up
(v. 16) Unity - Together to grow and build each other up in love
(v. 17) Discipling / Correction - Speaking the truth in love and build each other up
(v. 18) Heart - Ignorance comes from the hardening of our hearts
(v. 18) Word of God / Teaching / Knowledge - Ignorance comes from the hardening of our hearts
(v. 21) Honesty / Truth / Vows / Oath - Truth is in Jesus
(v. 26) Anger / Fits of Rage / Bitterness - Do not sin in anger
(v. 26) Anger / Fits of Rage / Bitterness - Do not let the sun go down while you are angry
(v. 27) Sin / Wickedness / Satan - Do not give the devil a foothold
(v. 29) Speaking / Gossip / Lying / Slander - Only words helpful for building others up according to their needs
(v. 29) Speaking / Gossip / Lying / Slander - Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth
(v. 31) Hatred - Get rid of all bitterness
(v. 31) Anger / Fits of Rage / Bitterness - Get rid of all bitterness
(v. 32) Forgiveness / Mercy / Atonement - Forgive each other
(v. 32) Kindness - Be kind to one another
(v. 32) Compassion / Concern - Be compassionate to one another

This passage is referenced in the following quiet time(s):
(v. 1) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 1) One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 4) (2010-02-24)
(v. 1) Followup: Humility II (part I) (2011-09-10)
(v. 1) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 1) Day 30 - Joined Together in Love (2012-01-02)
(v. 2) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 2) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 2) Day 30 - Joined Together in Love (2012-01-02)
(v. 2) One Another (part I) (2011-03-15)
(v. 2) Followup: Humility II (part I) (2011-09-10)
(v. 2) One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 4) (2010-02-24)
(v. 3) Day 30 - Joined Together in Love (2012-01-02)
(v. 3) One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 2) (2010-02-22)
(v. 3) Kingdom First - Rapid Resolution (2010-01-11)
(v. 3) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 3) Followup: Humility II (part I) (2011-09-10)
(v. 3) Purpose Driven Life - Protecting Your Church (2008-06-14)
(v. 3) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 3) 30 Days at the Cross - United Hearts (2008-08-24)
(v. 4) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 4) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 4) Followup: Humility II (part I) (2011-09-10)
(v. 4) Mission - Baptizing Them (2010-11-28)
(v. 5) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 5) Followup: Humility II (part I) (2011-09-10)
(v. 5) Mission - Baptizing Them (2010-11-28)
(v. 5) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 6) Mission - Baptizing Them (2010-11-28)
(v. 6) Followup: Humility II (part I) (2011-09-10)
(v. 6) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 6) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 7) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 7) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 8) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 8) Waking Dead - At War (part 2) (2010-08-07)
(v. 9) Waking Dead - At War (part 2) (2010-08-07)
(v. 9) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 10) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 11) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 11) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 11) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 11) Life to the Full - In His Steps (part 2) (2010-04-19)
(v. 12) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 12) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 12) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 13) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 13) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 13) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 13) Purpose Driven Life - It Takes Time (2008-06-22)
(v. 14) Men Leave Childhood Behind (2013-09-11)
(v. 14) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 14) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 15) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 15) One Another - Making it Clear (2009-09-25)
(v. 15) Men Leave Childhood Behind (2013-09-11)
(v. 15) Raising Awesome Kids - Openness (2009-01-13)
(v. 15) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 15) One Another - Speaking the Truth in Love (2009-10-06)
(v. 16) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 16) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 17) Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 8) (2010-07-21)
(v. 17) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 18) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 18) Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 8) (2010-07-21)
(v. 19) Mind of Christ - About Self (part II) (2011-07-16)
(v. 19) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 19) Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 8) (2010-07-21)
(v. 20) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 21) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 22) Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part VI) (2011-07-05)
(v. 22) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 22) Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ (2008-06-15)
(v. 23) Purpose Driven Life - How We Grow (2008-06-16)
(v. 23) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 23) Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part VI) (2011-07-05)
(v. 23) Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ (2008-06-15)
(v. 24) Waking Dead - Christ's Great Works (2010-09-20)
(v. 24) Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ (2008-06-15)
(v. 24) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 24) Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part VI) (2011-07-05)
(v. 25) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 26) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 26) Teach Us To Pray - In Marriage and Family (2008-09-12)
(v. 26) Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 4) (2010-09-12)
(v. 27) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 27) Teach Us To Pray - In Marriage and Family (2008-09-12)
(v. 27) Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 4) (2010-09-12)
(v. 27) Purpose Driven Life - Overcoming Temptation (2008-06-21)
(v. 28) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 29) Day 27 - Learning to be Loyal (2011-12-30)
(v. 29) Followup: Relationships in the Body (part II) (2011-09-15)
(v. 29) Followup - Relationships Demonstrated (2011-01-29)
(v. 29) Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone (part 2) (2010-04-21)
(v. 29) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 29) Kingdom First - Personal Responsibility (part 1) (2010-01-27)
(v. 29) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 29) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 30) Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone (part 2) (2010-04-21)
(v. 30) Blessings In Christ (part VI) (2012-03-10)
(v. 30) Prayer of the Righeous - Knowing God through His Word (part I) (2013-03-20)
(v. 30) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 30) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 31) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 31) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 31) One Another - Forgiving One Another (part 2) (2010-02-26)
(v. 31) Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone (part 2) (2010-04-21)
(v. 31) Mind Change - Forgive (2011-11-11)
(v. 32) Hurtful Examples and Lies (2013-08-27)
(v. 32) One Another (part III) (2011-03-17)
(v. 32) Mind Change - Forgive (2011-11-11)
(v. 32) One Another (part I) (2011-03-15)
(v. 32) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 32) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 32) Falling in Love with God - Bitterness (2008-04-02)
(v. 32) One Another - Forgiving One Another (part 2) (2010-02-26)
(v. 32) Promises of God - Forgiving Others (2009-03-04)

This passage is referenced in the following study note(s):
(v. 2) Devotional: Pride and Humility (2008-12-12)
(v. 11) Devotional: Leadership in the Church (2008-12-18)
(v. 12) Devotional: Leadership in the Church (2008-12-18)
(v. 13) Devotional: Leadership in the Church (2008-12-18)
(v. 29) Sermon: Practical ways to live by the spirit (2015-08-02)
(v. 30) Sermon: Practical ways to live by the spirit (2015-08-02)
(v. 31) Sermon: Practical ways to live by the spirit (2015-08-02)
(v. 32) Sermon: Free the prisoners (2013-04-28)
(v. 32) Sermon: Practical ways to live by the spirit (2015-08-02)

Definition(s):
Jesus (Jeez-us): savior; deliverer