Ephesians 4:25-29

Rachel Workman: ²⁵ So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. ²⁶ And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”^[d] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ for anger gives a foothold to the devil. I'll go a step further and say don't let anything control you. Unless it's the Spirit. We are called to be slaves to Christ and nothing more.


²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. ²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Something I know I need to work on.

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Mike Grimm:  ²⁵Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Lying to each other disrupts unity by creating conflicts and destroying trust. It tears down relationships and leads to open warfare in a church. ²⁶“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷and do not give the devil a foothold.

The Bible doesn't tell us that we shouldn't feel angry, but it points out that it is important to handle our anger properly. If vented thoughtlessly, anger can hurt others and destroy relationships. However, if left bottled up inside, it can cause us to become bitter and destroy us from within.

Anger, and not controlling my tongue, are by far, my biggest issues. I have lost relationships due to anger. I have strained relationships due to anger, which results in either saying something hurtful, or bottling it up and just walking away. It's not easy to explain unless it is something that the person on the receiving end has experienced personally. It takes a long time to build up a good true relationship/friendship, but it only takes one hurtful word, or action, to bring that relationship crashing down. After that, some people will tolerate you, but things will never be the same. Others, will walk away for good. Some might even forgive you. Why play that game of roulette? Just think everything through before you react. I've always liked Ephesians. Half of it focuses on Unity in Christ. The other half focuses on Unity in the body of Christ. It's a good book for me personally.

Paul tells us to deal with our anger immediately in a way that builds relationships rather than destroy them. If we nurse our anger, we will give Satan an opportunity to divide us.

 ²⁸Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. ²⁹Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Probably my second biggest problem.

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John Burnett:  ²⁵ Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and give no opportunity to the devil. ²⁸ Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. ²⁹ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  This is very convicting for me as I do not speak truth with my neighbor like I should and I have let the sun go down on my anger on more than one occasion.  I have to watch myself on the first half of verse 29 as I now live in a small town and this type of talk is the norm at times

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Monday’s reading for Ephesians 4:30-32

³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,^[e] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.