Ephesians

I have been reading Ephesians lately, such an awesome book in the bible. Something that has spoken to me is Ephesians 4, especially verses 17-32.

17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

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.”[a] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

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.

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,[b] 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.

Paul is talking here about changing the way we live our lives. It's not just 'Don't do this, Don't do that, keep on doing what that guy does;' he's talking about a complete transformation of our lives.

And you know what? WE CAN'T DO IT. We can try and we might make a lot of progress, but in OUR OWN STRENGTH we will never pull off a complete transformation of our lives.

eg V28 - 'If you're a thief, stop stealing and start working hard so you can give generously to others.' What kind of thief would be able to just decide one day that they're going to stop stealing and start working hard to GIVE to others? It's a complete transformation from being selfish to selfless.

Or V31-32 - 'Get rid of all bitterness, rage, slander, anger, harsh words, evil behaviour and be like Christ.' Again, what kind of person will be able to just decide one day that they are going to do that, and then be able to actually pull it off?

We actually can't do it. Not in our own strength. We need God.
V23 - "Instead, let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes"
THE SPIRIT. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit regularly if we're to have the strength or ability to overcome sinfulness in our lives. Our own strength is nowhere near enough for us to overcome sin. But with God and the Holy Spirit in us, we are more than conqueror's and we will see our lives transformed.