Put on the New Man of Righteousness and Holiness 2

Ephesians 4:29-32, NKJV

Here Paul continues to set forth commands for believers. They must not remain the same as when under the influence of the old man. Think about it. Once you take a refreshing bath or shower, you would not put those old dirty clothes back on. You change into a fresh set. When you put on the new man, you do not want to continue wearing the old man’s clothes of unrighteousness, walking in disobedience. The change children of God make must be transformational; the new man must be very different from the old man.

In verse 29 believers are commanded to not let a corrupt word come out of their mouth. Believers should only allow words that are “good for necessary edification, or building up, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”  Believers have put on the new man of righteousness and holiness; they must remember that a good tree does not bring forth corrupt fruit (Luke 6:43a). In other words, believers are expected to build up and encourage others according to the need and the occasion, so that what you say will be a blessing to those who hear. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,” (v.30a) we are commanded. Yes, we have the tendency to sin, but because God has been so gracious to His children, why would we make Him sad by sinning? God’s Holy Spirit has sealed us for the day of redemption (v.30b).  

Children of God, we have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, transformed by the renewing of our mind; therefore, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, or loud quarreling, and evil speaking be put away from us, with all malice” (v.31). “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave us (v.32). Put on the New Man of righteousness and holiness and walk worthy of your calling. Give God a hand clap of praise.