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Ephesians 4:17-32 (MSG)

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17 And so I insist--and God backs me up on this--that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. 18 They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. 19 They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. 20 But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! 21 My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. 22 Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything--and I do mean everything--connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life--a God-fashioned life, 23 a life renewed from the inside 24 and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. 25 What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. 26 Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry--but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. 27 Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. 28 Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work. 29 Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. 30 Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. 31 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. 32 Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.


This passage relates to the following topic(s):
(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 let the sun go down while you are angry
(v. 26) Anger / Fits of Rage / Bitterness - Do not sin in anger
(v. 27) Sin / Wickedness / Satan - Do not give the devil a foothold
(v. 29) Speaking / Gossip / Lying / Slander - Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth
(v. 29) Speaking / Gossip / Lying / Slander - Only words helpful for building others up according to their needs
(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. 17) Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 8) (2010-07-21)
(v. 17) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 18) Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 8) (2010-07-21)
(v. 18) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 19) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 19) Mind of Christ - About Self (part II) (2011-07-16)
(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) Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ (2008-06-15)
(v. 22) Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part VI) (2011-07-05)
(v. 22) 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 - How We Grow (2008-06-16)
(v. 23) Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ (2008-06-15)
(v. 23) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 24) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 24) Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ (2008-06-15)
(v. 24) Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part VI) (2011-07-05)
(v. 24) Waking Dead - Christ's Great Works (2010-09-20)
(v. 25) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 26) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 26) Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 4) (2010-09-12)
(v. 26) Teach Us To Pray - In Marriage and Family (2008-09-12)
(v. 27) Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 4) (2010-09-12)
(v. 27) Teach Us To Pray - In Marriage and Family (2008-09-12)
(v. 27) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 27) Purpose Driven Life - Overcoming Temptation (2008-06-21)
(v. 28) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 29) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 29) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 29) Followup - Relationships Demonstrated (2011-01-29)
(v. 29) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 29) Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone (part 2) (2010-04-21)
(v. 29) Followup: Relationships in the Body (part II) (2011-09-15)
(v. 29) Day 27 - Learning to be Loyal (2011-12-30)
(v. 29) Kingdom First - Personal Responsibility (part 1) (2010-01-27)
(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. 30) Blessings In Christ (part VI) (2012-03-10)
(v. 30) Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone (part 2) (2010-04-21)
(v. 31) Mind Change - Forgive (2011-11-11)
(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. 32) One Another (part I) (2011-03-15)
(v. 32) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 32) Mind Change - Forgive (2011-11-11)
(v. 32) Promises of God - Forgiving Others (2009-03-04)
(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) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 32) One Another (part III) (2011-03-17)
(v. 32) Hurtful Examples and Lies (2013-08-27)

This passage is referenced in the following study note(s):
(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)