Ephesians 4: 31-32 calls us to live set apart and be un-offendable as Christians.
Let’s take a quick look at the priceless advice given in these two verses.
Scripture – Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Observation
Here, we see Paul giving very pertinent instructions to the people of Ephesus.
This is how he tells them to live and operate as followers of Christ.
His word choice and tone makes it clear he wants the Ephesians to avoid these destructive characteristics.
They do not serve believers well and prevents them from living set apart from the lost.
Failure to adhere to this advice brings folly.
Harboring any of the mentioned behaviors causes us to misrepresent Christ.
Furthermore, these also grieve the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s encouragement instead is for the Ephesians to choose kindness and compassion.
Application
Paul gives us very timeless instruction here.
As believers, it is so important for us to be set apart from the rest of the world.
It couldn’t be more applicable to our lives today as kindness and compassion ought to be our default.
We have the responsibility and privilege of representing Christ to the lost.
We therefore cannot have the same reactions when unfavorable situations arise.
Every believer should allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to swift forgiveness and peaceful resolutions.
It must never be lost on us that we who have been so mercifully forgiven, likewise should forgive.
Affirmation from Ephesians 4:31-32
I do not entertain bitterness, rage and anger because the light of Christ is within me.
It is my nature to show kindness and compassion to every one around me by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Father, You are love and You love greatly. Thank You for infusing Your nature to love in all of us. Creation screams of Your perfect love. Still Father, You who have emotions and gave us emotions are so quick to forgive. Help me Lord to do likewise and forgive quickly. Empower me, through the Holy Spirit to be a beacon of light like Jesus Christ. Give me a supernatural ability to guard my tongue so that I can respond in love rather than react from emotions. Give me a pure heart and help me to see from the lens of compassion in Jesus's name. Amen