Ephesians                           by Dr. Ralph Wilson

Lesson 11

Putting on Clean Clothes (Ephesians 4:17-32)

Ephesians 4:17 through 6:9 is a call to righteousness in all areas of life:

• Speech (Ephesians 5:25-32),
• Sexual mores (Ephesians 5:3-7),
• Use of intoxicants (Ephesians 5:18),
• Family relationships (Ephesians 5:21-6:4), and
• Employer-employee relationships (Ephesians 6:9).

Darkness of the Secular Mind (Ephesians 4:17-19)

Paul analyzes the moral temper of his day. The secular people in the first century are:

Futile in their minds.

Darkened in their understanding.

Separated from God's life.

Ignorant.

Hardened in their hearts.

Given to sexual immorality.

Q42. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age?

Why are we tempted to conform to its values?
 

Our New, Holy Self (Ephesians 4:20-24)

Truth, Anger, and Theft (Ephesians 4:25-28)

Speaking Truthfully (Ephesians 4:25)

Controlling Anger (Ephesians 4:26-27)

We must be very careful of anger, for it can have many deceitful roots.

1. Selfishness.

2. Control. 

3. Bitterness.

4. Foothold for Satan.

Q43. (Ephesians 4:26-27). Why did God give us the emotion of anger, do you think?

How can anger be dangerous?

How can we keep from sinning when we are angry?

Is anger itself sin?
 

Theft (Ephesians 4:28)

Blithering, Blathering, Bitterness, and Brawling (Ephesians 4:29-32)

In the latter part of verse 29, Paul gives three guidelines for judging our words:

1. Is it helpful for building others up? 

2. Is it according to the hearer's needs? 

3. Is it beneficial to the hearer? 

Q44. (Ephesians 4:29-32) What kind of "unwholesome talk" is common among us Christians?

What three guidelines does Paul give us to measure the value of what we say?

What is slander?

How common is it among Christians? How can we prevent it?

Grieving the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30)

Kind, Compassionate, Forgiving (Ephesians 4:32)

Q45. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us?

According to Ephesians 4:32, who is our example of forgiveness?

What heart attitudes toward people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to verse 32a?
 

Prayer

Father, we so much want to walk in your cleanness. Forgive us for our sins. Change our ways so that they bless you rather than grieve your Spirit. Help us to put on, as clean clothes, "the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Grant it for us, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Key Verses

(Ephesians 4:24) "... Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

(Ephesians 4:24) "'In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."

(Ephesians 4:32) "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."