Note that Ephesians 4:17-19 in comparison to 4:20-32 provides insights into the typical life of idolatrous Ephesian Gentiles. For a clarity that is committed to the context of Paul's statements, consider these thoughts. Paul's contrast is between the typical lifestyle of an Ephesian who understood nothing about the living God and the typical lifestyle of an Ephesian who belonged to the living God. The contrast is between the character and integrity of the Ephesian who belonged to idolatrous gods and the character and integrity of the Ephesian who belonged to the living God. Learning about Christ introduced an Ephesian to God (Ephesians 4:20, 24).
When a writer corresponded with a person or a group, the writer was (a) communicating a message to a specific person or group and (b) seeking to move that person or group to specific understandings. The more we learn about the situation, the more we understand what the writer specifically was seeking to accomplish. In Ephesians, Paul contrasts the idol worshipper's approach to life with the Christian's approach to life. That contrast provides significant insights into the religious situation in the city of Ephesus. To turn from idolatry to Christ involved major changes in daily life.
How did Ephesians who had no knowledge of the living God live? How were idolatrous character and integrity expressed by their lifestyles? In Ephesians 4:17-19, Paul provided some specific insights into the idolatrous mind set. Again, the Ephesian 4 contrast is between the non-Jewish person who worshipped idols and the non-Jewish person who left idolatry to follow Jesus Christ.
Remember among Christians in Ephesus that the majority of those Christians came from an idolatrous background and lifestyle.
Carefully note Paul's contrast began with the internal changes rather than external acts. Paul emphasized that the change began in the believer's mind. For example, he told Christians in Rome that transformation began with the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:1-2). He said a renewed mind responded to God's mercy through changed behavior. He emphasized the importance of the renewed mind in Ephesians 4:23.
The transition from an ungodly existence to a godly existence begins in a person's mind, in his or her thought process. It is especially important to note Paul did not seek to impose a form of mindless behavior control on Christians. It was essential for them to understand what they became when conversion to Christ occurred. It was essential for them to understand that God spiritually created them in order for them to be something they had not been. Faith is not a matter of mindless compliance. Faith is a matter of godly motivation that arises from one's understanding of what God did and does in Jesus Christ.
Changed actions not produced by changed thinking express forms of inferior control. For example, a prison can control prisoners' actions. Yet [in many instances], that control is externally imposed, not internally motivated. Belonging to God is freedom (see Galatians 5:1, 13-15), not imprisonment. God through Christ liberates believers. His liberation gives believers freedom "to be" someone they were not able to be and "to serve" because of what they became. God's objective is the believer's transformation. Transformation requires a renewing of the mind. A new mind produces changed behavior. Transformation requires allowing God to teach us what godly character and integrity are.
The basic objectives in Christian existence are based on desires that arise from faith in God--a confidence in God coupled with an understanding of God's purposes. To reduce Christian existence to mindless conformity is to miss the objective of godliness. Reducing Christian existence to imposed standards of behavior eliminates a Christian's heart and mind from his or her relationship with God.
In Ephesus, how did idolatry's mind set impact the perspective of idol worshippers? Their thoughts were futile. Their concepts concerning the meaning and purpose of life fell far short of life's meaning and purpose in Christ. As a result, they did not understand the purpose of physical existence. Their ignorance of God was so basic that (1) it resulted in their inability to understand God's acts in Christ and (2) it produced insensitive feelings. They were incapable of feeling what they should feel. They surrendered themselves to (1) gratification of physical desires and (2) greed even if it meant insensitivity to the struggles and sufferings of others. They are so captured by self-gratification and self-indulgence that they surrendered to complete selfishness. Their concepts of character and integrity did not include concern for others.
Godlessness expresses itself in selfishness, a self-centered existence, and exploitation of other people. The priorities of godless people are focused on themselves. God through Christ communicates unselfish love that regards the needs of others as more important than the needs of self. Relationship with God results in self-sacrifice for the benefit of others. To illustrate that fact, consider the example of Jesus.
Many godless qualities were compatible with their concepts of character and integrity. It was okay to deceive, to be ruled by anger, to exploit others by stealing, and to be controlled by destructive emotions (bitterness, rage, confusion, slander, and hate). Note these qualities began in the mind (thinking) of the person.
All godly and ungodly acts and emotions begin in the thoughts of the person.
Refresh your memory by reading Ephesians 4:22-24. In the past these were people who worshipped idols. Their idolatrous lifestyle was the foundation of their "old self." Their renewed mind (a new way of thinking about and looking at existence) resulted in putting on a "new self." This "new self" was created in God's likeness. God produced that "new self" in them through the righteousness and holiness of truth. The ongoing result: a growing separation between the way they used to live as idol worshippers and the way they now live as believers in Jesus Christ.
No Christian has permission from God to continue being "who I was" prior to conversion. For a Christian to be content to continue to be "who I was" is to abandon Christ. For a Christian to believe "I can remain who I was before conversion" and be devoted to Christ simultaneously is surrender to self-deception.
Read Ephesians 4:25-29.
They will lay aside falsehood [deceit or lies].
They understand that being in Christ and belonging to God establishes new relationships with and new responsibilities toward people. The context is probably new relationships with and responsibilities toward others who entered Christ.
A false statement; a lie; that which is contrary to truth; that in which truth or accuracy is absent.
Because it was your habit to deceive, it would be easier to lie than to share truth. Since others commonly deceived, they would expect you to practice deception. Declaring truth is often inconvenient. Others often do not desire truth. To be honest among dishonest people is a major challenge.
As long as a person can view other people as "things to be used to my advantage," it is relatively simple to use deceptive words and practices. When "I" see people as persons rather than things, "I" realize they should receive honest, truthful treatment. All people despise being deceived. No one can treat another person as he or she wishes to be treated through deceptive words or practices.
Anger must not be allowed to become sin.
Anger is an intense feeling of displeasure with a person, an event, or an object. It usually is an intense reaction to something that displeases the person.
The existence of anger is not ungodly. It may quickly become sin and express itself in ungodly ways. However, to be intensely displeased is of itself not ungodly if (a) it is a short-lived, noncontrolling force in one's life and (b) does not produce ungodly thoughts, words, or behaviors.
Anger is an ungodly emotion (a) when it is allowed the be the controlling force in one's life, (b) when it is allowed to express itself in thoughts, words, or behaviors that oppose God and His influences, and (c) when it is allowed to grow beyond anger [such as rage, envy, jealousy, wrath, contempt, etc.]
Wrath (or rage) is a force that controls the person's thoughts and behaviors. Wrath or rage are anger out of control. Wrath or rage frequently vent their intense displeasure through violence.
Commonly hate begins as some form of anger. Again, hate is another form of anger out of control. One is intensely displeased. He or she decides, "My intense displeasure is entirely your fault! You are the reason I suffer harm (whether actual or perceived)! You are my enemy! I despise you!
Anger tempts a person to give control of himself or herself to negative, godless emotions and feelings that intend to abuse others. Anger tempts a person to disregard other people. The devil can use anger as a doorway to wrath, rage, contempt, hate, etc. Anger becomes the vehicle that transports a person to ungodly thoughts and behaviors.
Any situation that illustrates anger becoming wrath, rage, contempt, hate, etc. is appropriate.
Cain's anger brought sin to the door of his life. He could master his desire to sin, but it was his decision, his choice. Sin recognized the opportunity anger created. His anger was not sin, but it created opportunity for sin. The end result of his anger was murder.
He or she must stop stealing.
Do honest work.
He or she would do honest work (a) to do what is good and (b) to share with those who do not have opportunity to care for their personal needs. Note the Christian does not merely stop, but he or she does what is good. The Christian turned from being a thief to being a helper. Instead of taking from others, he or she assists others.
He or she would not use unwholesome (literally rotten) words.
He or she would seek to build others up through what he or she said. People would be encouraged rather than discouraged by the Christian's words. Words expressed thoughts. Thoughts came from the heart. The desire and intent of a Christian's heart is to encourage others. Again note the change: one who discouraged now encouraged.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 11