Quality of Church Life Issues Ephesians 4:25-27

Take off / Put on V.25 - Take off the filthy clothing of lying and put on the clean clothing of speaking truthfully. Vv.26-27 - Take off the filthy clothing of hurtful outbursts of anger, and control yourself and your anger. V.28 - Take off the filthy clothing of cheating others out of their money and possessions and put on the clothing of helping other people in need. Vv.29-30 - Take off the filthy clothing of speaking hurt fully to one another and put on the clothing of using your speech to benefit others Vv.31-32 – Take off the animosity you feel toward fellow members in the body of Christ and put on the clothing of kindness and forgiveness.

Our Calling: Unity & Purity YOU CAN’T HAVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IF PEOPLE ARE . . . V.25- lying to one another. Vv. 26-27- getting angry with one another and manifesting your anger in sinful ways. V. 28- cheating one another. V.29 - speaking in ways that hurt one another. V.31 - holding animosity toward a fellow member.

What’s it take to form a new habit? FORMING GODLY HABITS REQUIRES knowing what God wants us to become. setting a clear goal. committing to the goal, never giving up. a daily reminder of the goal. praying for the Holy Spirit’s assistance. practice, practice, practice. immediately getting back on track upon failure. time. support (accountability, encouragement, confrontation, etc.).

Husband and wife going on a date Recovering alcoholic applies for job George working at Sears

Ephesians 4:26-27 1.“In your anger do not sin” 2. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 3. and do not give the devil a foothold.

James 1:19-20 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because improperly expressed anger does not produce the righteous results that God desires.

Think Before You Act on Your Anger Why am I angry? (2) How legitimate is my anger? (3) What could be the negative effects of saying or doing something hurtful? (4) How can I express my anger in a righteous and constructive way?

Ephesians 4:26-27 1.“In your anger do not sin”: 2. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 3. and do not give the devil a foothold.

Ephesians 4:26-27 1.“In your anger do not sin”: 2. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 3. and do not give the devil a foothold.

Stop! Don’t do it! X vulgar speech hurtful speech hurling insults pushing and shoving punching & hitting damaging property retaliation e.g., toothbrush slandering and so forth X

Use extreme caution X yelling & screaming slamming doors throwing things and the like Make it rare Use it intentionally X

Go for it! X Be constructive in what you do and say Remain calm, cool, and collected Attack problem, not person Pray for wisdom Say and do what needs to be said and done X