Ephesians 4:22-28 - The Motivations Behind the Admonitions

Paul reminds us of the motive behind each of the five admonitionsof sins that we are to “put off”. The admonition “to put off lying”.Why? The motivation is because we are members of one another, and therefore weare to speak the truth to one another. The next admonition is, “Be angry, anddo not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to thedevil.” The motivation is to remember that whenever we allow anger to get thebest of us—when anger turns into bitterness and malice, and then is released inwrath—it brings harm, hurt, and destruction to others and even to ourselves. Atthat point, we have given place to the devil. Itis important to understand that the emotion of anger itself is not sinful.Anger is actually a good thing because it reflects that we have a sense ofjustice, that we all have, because we are created in the image of God, Because Godis a God of justice, He must punish evil. The Bible tells us that God is angrywith the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11). In that sense, our emotion of anger reflectsa God-like concern for what is right and should be rewarded, and what is wrongor evil and should be punished. However, Scripture teaches in both the Old andNew Testaments that we are to let God take care of vengeance. Paulclearly speaks of how as believers we are to responded to evil and offences in Romans12:17-21: “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in thesight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceablywith all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place towrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says theLord.  LetGod take care of the offense or pain you feel in your heart or life. When youdo, you are able to display the character of Christ by forgiving those who harmyou. Stephen did this when he prayed, “Lay not this sin to their charge.” Jesusdid the same when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what theydo.” We take the hurt, the pain, and the offenses committed against us andchoose to forgive. In doing so, we are like Jesus. We are following Hisexample. We are allowing the light of God and the life of Christ to shinethrough us.Itis very human and very natural to respond in anger when we are hurt, because wedo have a sense of justice. But we must allow God to be the Judge. He is theOne who will take care of the vengeance we feel in our hearts. We are not toget even as the Gentiles do—saying, “I’ll pay them back.” No, my friend, youdon’t need to pay them back. God will take care of that.Inthe meantime, instead of giving place to the devil and allowing him to ruin andwreck your life, you give place to God. You worship God instead of Satan. Youare saying, “Lord, I want You to rule and reign. I want You to display Yourpower and Your glory in my life.” Remember David in the Old Testament,particularly in the Psalms. He expressed his anger, but he took it to God. ReadPsalm 109. David gave it to the Lord and said, in effect, “Lord, I place this in Yourhands.” Romans 12:21 teaches us. “Do not be overcome by evil,but overcome evil with good.” You have the opportunity to do good to thosewho hurt you and cause you pain. In doing so, you demonstrate that you trulytrust God to handle the justice, the consequences, and whatever needs to bedone in the life of the one who hurt you.Oh,my friend, we have the privilege of walking as Christ walked and living asChrist lived because we have His power—His Holy Spirit—living within us. If itis possible, as much as depends on you—and remember, He lives in you—you simplyyield yourself to Him. Trust Him. Determine to obey His truth. As you yield tothe Holy Spirit, love, joy, and peace will be displayed in your life, and thepeople around you will see Jesus in you—especially when you are hurt. Insteadof giving place to the devil, you give place to the Lord Jesus Christ, and Heis displayed and glorified through your life.