Section eight: 4.17-32

Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.

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17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Paul again calls the believer to walk - not as the lost Gentiles walk - and goes into the lost's perverted mindset and lifestyle. We are a different breed, with a different purpose and a different mind than the lost.

The lost walk in the vanity of their mind. Now, that is sooooo true. What ever vanity they can conceive they will make a part of their lifestyle. We won't take time here to talk about the fact that within a year or two the Christians of America will adopt the same vanity and call it godliness.

The term vanity can relate to "void of truth and appropriateness" or "perverseness," "depravity," or "want of vigor." Vanity of their mind would describe the want of truth or the depravity of the mind. The inability of that mind to discern truth or that which is appropriate.

If this is truly the lost mind, then the things that mind dreams up to be good and fun, ought surely not be related to the Christian mind or action. Just because the world gives us filthy lyriced rap, does not mean that Christians should imitate it. It came from a polluted mind not one that was transformed by the power of God.

Believers ought to gauge their activities and actions to their creator not the fallen created, to their transformed mind not the depraved mind of the lost.

I would challenge you to name something that the vain mind has come up with in the last century that the "Christian" church has not adapted to its own walk. We have taken on and surpassed the losts use of divorce, we now have homosexual churches, we have everything Christian that the world has worldly - yes, we often clean it up a little, but not all that much - we wouldn't want to loose the vanity of it.

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

The lost's understanding is darkened. Darkened is a perfect passive verb meaning that the understanding is darkened and always will be darkened, unless of course Christ intercedes. It also means that it is darkened from some force from without - namely sin in general and specifically may relate to the hardening of the heart by God.

Darkened can be translated devoid of light. When I was in the Navy, we had what was called darken ship condition. When at war any light from a ship could make that ship a nice target for the guns of the enemy, so all port holes and hatches are closed and there is no light on the exterior of the ship.

One night I was up late and was going down to get some sleep. I decided I would go out on deck and walk forward to a hatch that led down to my sleeping area. I closed the hatch, turned to walk forward and the black was like a thick blanket cast over my head. I immediately had no sense of direction, no sense of what was ahead of me, and no sense that, indeed, there was anything ahead of me like a deck to walk on. I felt if I took one step it could be off the side of the ship.

I had walked that path dozens of times, yet one step into it and I was totally unaware of any familiar item of sight. I immediately dropped to my hands and knees and began to feel my way forward - reaching out for that which was familiar to guide me. I finally found the hatch, but vowed never to go on deck when we were under a darken ship condition again.

Imagine the understanding of the lost. Do you get a hint of why they don't understand you when you take a Biblical stand on something, do you get a hint of the total frustration of their minds, and do you get a hint of why we are not to walk as if our understanding is darkened?

Their understanding has no guide, thus they understand whatever seems right to them - rather sounds like humanism to me - no wonder that system of thought and life developed - it developed from a non-understanding mind. It should be obvious to the believer that humanism is not a system of life that a believer should follow, yet humanistic thinking is totally prevalent in Christian thinking today.

Not only is their understanding darkened, but they are "alienated from the life of God." They can't live the life of godliness; they are alienated or shut out from this type of life. It is beyond what they are capable of - so why are we surprised at the sinfulness of mankind? So, why do Christian's like to pattern their lives after lost people that can't live godly, and can't understand Biblical standards?

They can't understand, and they can't live like God wants them to live - rather plain to me - they are incapable of it - impossible - they don't know God, they can't understand God and they can't live a life that is pleasing to God - no surprise when you understand this passage.

They can't walk after God because of the "ignorance that is in them," - ignorance is not a negative disparagement of the lost mind, but rather a description of their condition. They are without moral guidance; they lack the knowledge that is required.

Their lack of knowledge stems from their blindness, their callousness to truth, their continued disregard for truth and/or help from God.

This passage reminds me of Pharaoh and the continued opportunities he had to respond to

God and His messenger, but he just kept rejecting truth and the callousness just got worse with each step of his mind. Ex. 14.4 "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I [am] the LORD. And they did so." This thought is repeated in Rom. 9.17 "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth."

The lost person that turns his back on the Gospel may get another chance, but then again he may not. God is not obligated to reveal Himself more than once - indeed, he has done that in nature already and most lost people reject that revelation.

Recently a school district in the south has been considering adding a theory of creation based on "design" rather than evolution. This system was to be taught along side evolution in the schools. The lost of the community reject this as non-scientific and mixing church and state, when it is actually an argument from logic rather than Scripture. They reject it because they reject God. They don't care that it comes from the sciences, they don't care that it may even seem like a possible alternative to evolution, and they just reject it because Christians have extended it as a possibility.

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

"Past feeling" or incapable of feeling further pain. They are insensitive to pain, unable to sustain further pain. The indications are that they have suffered pain, but now are beyond it and/or its effects. This is the only use of the term in the Bible.

"Lasciviousness" can be translated "filthy" "wanton" or "shamelessness" thus giving a very negative connotation to the term. Mark 7.20 lists it among some pretty nasty items of the inner man. 20 "And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man." In Rom. 13.13 it is translated "wantoness" and in Gal. 5.19ff it is contrasted with the fruit of the Spirit as one of the works of the flesh. "19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." It is also used of Lot being vexed by the "filthy" conversation of those around him in Sodom in II Pet. 2.7. (See also II Pet. 2.18 and Jude 1.4.)

Because they are beyond feeling they have made a conscious decision to give themselves over to this despicable way of life.

"To work all uncleanness with greediness." They make this decision and then move on to do all things unclean with greediness - fulfilling every filthy desire might be the thought.

By way of application we might wonder who these people are. Paul is describing lost people folks - not the total perverts of society but all lost people that have rejected God - anyone that has consciously considered God and rejected the simple Gospel.

This passage is similar to Romans 1.21-32 Take a moment to read it and note toward the last their end. "21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

What a sad and pointed passage. A passage that is totally overlooked in the perversion discussions of our day. I am sure that they can explain away all these things that God has so clearly revealed to us, but they can't change or pervert God's mind. His Word represents His mind and His mind seems quite made up on the likes of these, no matter how nice and fuzzy the media likes to paint them.

We have churches in America that cater to the homosexual community and see nothing wrong with that perversion. The "lifestyle" is totally accepted and honored in these churches no mater what God has declared in His very clear Word.

One might wander at the leaders of these churches. Leaders that will be held accountable for their actions and decisions. Notice in the Romans text - they have pleasure in doing what is so totally wrong. Talk about a complete rejection of God.

By way of application, I can see a great reason here for witnessing to those folks that you meet each day. Many of them have not made that decision that will head them down this evil trail, but if someone does not intercede with the Good News they may well make that final decision against God and begin their destructive path.

I could be wrong, but this Romans passage seems to speak of people that have unequivocally rejected God and all that He has revealed. These are what our prisons are filled with, these are those that enjoy the pain of their victims, these are those that enjoy anything that gives them pleasure no matter the cost to others.

I further believe that those that have not totally rejected God will not travel this road necessarily, though it is wide open to them. I believe that until they have ejected God they have opportunity to accept Him and avoid this horrible end. Peace is only a decision away for the lost, yet those that have decided no have no hope, their heart is hardened and their destruction is sure.

It seems appropriate to view Paul's comments in Ephesians to apply to the lost in general while the Romans passage seems to be a passage related to those that have truly rejected God by a decision of their mind.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

Wow, what a relief! The believer has not learned this perversion of truth. Glory to God that He has protected us from the likes of those that have rejected Him so completely. It is not that we don't know of these things, it is that we are not involved in them. We are free of such corruption due to the work of Christ. If not Christ, then we would be in danger of the same peril.

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

He has really blasted the lost so you should be at ease, but beware for Paul seldom blasts without purpose. He is setting up the Christian for a little blast of their own. He now is talking about what the believer has learned, what the believer has been taught and what the believer should believe - TRUTH that is found in Christ.

The thought of the text is that you don't live that corrupt life that he has just described if indeed they have learned of Christ properly, have been taught of Christ properly and accepted truth properly.

Look out, here it comes, if you aren't to live that way then he must be going to tell us how we ought to live and this isn't going to be pretty for some believers.

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

There is the blast and we will see a little later as well. Now, let’s look at those verses’ one at a time.

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Now, follow closely. "Put off the former conversation the old man” This is an aorist middle which means it is a one time act (aorist) and it is something that we are actively involved with when it occurs. It seems that we as believers at some time put off things related to the old man, or the old nature. The when of this occurrence is not yet in view. ("Conversation" relates to behavior or manner of life.)

"Is corrupt" happens to be a present passive which tells us that the old man or the lost man is in a continuing state of corruptness and that the action of corruptness is from without - it is a state that continues not by our own accord, but by God - not to say that He had, in any way, anything to do with us becoming corrupt - that we accomplished all by our lonesome by being born into the Adamic - fallen race.

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

The thought here is that we need to be, indeed, are renewed - a present activity that is accomplished from without WHEN WE .........

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

We put on the new man - a one time act that is accomplished by our own action. This results in God taking action, that "created in righteousnes" or if you will the rebirth of salvation.

Let's recap. We are corrupt but we can put off that old man, and we can put on the new man, but it is God that does the rest. When we accept Christ, we reject the old and put on the new by a conscious decision and from their God recreates our worthless beings into something that He can use and we can live with - literally live with eternally.

Now, the ramifications of this: Remember all of these actions are aorist, or one time acts, not a continuing action. We put it off, we put it on and God recreates - done deals everyone. Remember that when you start to consider the teaching that says we have a struggle going on between the old man and the new creation - these facts of Paul's don't seem to fit into that teaching very well - please reconsider that teaching if you hold to it.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

And now some practical application - stop lying to one another and speak truth to your neighbor or the ones that are near you because we are members one of another - we are equal, we are unified, we are one, and we are the body of Christ.

"Lying" is the translation of the Greek word we gain pseudo from - falsehood, a willful knowledgeable telling that which is not true.

If you work in most workplaces you know what I am talking about - the lie is the norm, why tell the truth when a lie will work. In fact why tell the truth when a lie will work even if the truth would result in a better result.

The lie is the basis of our society. The misleading is the norm. The half truth is to be expected. I have even known Christians that carry on this way, but Paul calls them to a better standard - speak truth.

The term "members" literally relates to a part of the human body. We are an integrated part of the body of Christ, so why would we lie and mislead with falsehood? We are in essence lying to the head, Christ, in that any communication between members of the body must go through the head. The right hand can't get assistance from the left without the head sending a request to the left that will result in the desired effect.

I think this relates to "How are you doing today?" "Oh, I'm pretty good." when the pretty good might be better stated, I have not felt good for weeks and the doctor is concerned about what it is. We need to be honest with one another. We can't minister to one another unless we know that something is needed.

This relates in being up front in all things especially financial. A church congregation should have access to the books, to what is being paid out, what is being done with the Lord's money. I recently asked a young minister what his senior pastor received from the church. He did not know. I asked if it wasn't in the yearly financial statement. He replied that only a lump "Payroll" sum was listed for the congregation to see. While this is not a lie, it certainly isn't the spirit of this verse either.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Ahhhhhhhh one of my favorite verses. Paul tells us to be angry, just don't let the sun set on your anger. Isn't that refreshing? NOT! Read that as a rhetorical question, "Be ye angry?" If so, sin not and take care of it before sundown.

There are two points to the matter of the anger. First it is a passive meaning that the anger is coming as a result of outside forces. Secondly, the word for angry used here is usually related to something that is from the inward or the cause of anger. In short this is anger that is generated because of something external that has happened. It is anger that your spouse causes in you because of something they said or did. It is anger that your congregant caused to well up within you. It is the anger that your pastor caused to be stirred within you.

If you have this sort of anger, deal with it before sundown. That would cure a heap of problems. Since this is the context of the church body, I wonder how much more peaceful churches might be if sundown was the extent of any anger/problem. Normally in churches we put up with this anger and it just dwells within and consumes our thoughts, our emotions and our time. Days often go by until the anger wells up and comes out at someone unrelated to the problem. Often we just bottle up this anger and never deal with it thus hindering ourselves and our usefulness within a church body.

Note that to be angry doesn't seem to be the sin, but the not dealing with the anger is the sin. If this is in the context of the pastor irritating you, it is you that sins, it is you that will be suffering, and it is you that must correct the problem. Often these "church" problems are one sided. The offending party seldom knows that there is a problem.

"Exasperation" is another meaning of the word translated wrath, so it may not be just anger, it could simply be that you are really upset or up tight about a situation.

27 Neither give place to the devil.

"Devil" is the term "diablos" and often relates to the Devil himself, but can simply mean slanderer or one who slanders or falsely accuses. This might be one that seems to take the Devil's side by slandering someone. Every translation I checked uses the term "devil" but in the context we are discussing the church body and the member’s relation to one another. I would not want to go against so many translations but wonder if this might be better seen as give no place for slanderers.

Though almost all uses of the term are translated devil, I Timothy 3.11 uses it as slander. "11 Even so [must their] wives [be] grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things." It is also translated false accusers in II Timothy 3.3 "Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good," (Also see Titus 2.3) It is also of note that Paul is the only one of the New Testament writers that uses the word in this manner, thus one would feel free to see slander or false accusation in this context as most fitting.

Even if you don't feel that this is true, it is certainly a good application - don't give place in the church body for slander to arise. The body is no place for it.

How might we set a condition so that slander and false accusation is not easily proffered?

a. Create a loving body - all people showing love one for another.

b. Stop anyone that wants to begin to slander or bring accusation before they begin.

c. When you know it is in the body, name it as sin and confront it at its source immediately.

d. If you can't stop someone from doing it, then walk away and ignore that person when they begin their sin.

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

A definite call to honest work for a living as opposed to the easy way of life. The text speaks of stealing, but there are today, some that make a living in a manner that is not far from stealing, yet it is legal. The point is that we are to labor with our hands - do actual work for a living, not live off other people's labor.

There are many today on the welfare system that are living off the kindnesses of those that work for a living. I don't want to deny those in need what they can gain, but if the gain was not there, many more would be working for a living. Those that are able to work and do not work are a continual drag on society and should be corrected in their life style.

The last part of the verse is of interest - working is not only for gaining a living but for helping those in need. Today, we have the panhandlers that are making more than any of us working folks and they don't even pay taxes I would guess, since what they receive is a gift.

Churches are inundated with people wanting a handout. Many of them know the system and claim to be Christians, some even find out the pastors names in neighboring towns in the fellowship of the churches they are hitting up so that they sound more legitimate. Churches have a very hard time knowing who is really in need and who is conning them.

Many have simply stopped helping anyone and refer everyone to the social services in their area - not an unwise idea to me. It is suggested that we help those in our own assembly that are in need - we can hold them accountable, we can know their need is legitimate and we can see the good our assistance is doing.

Some today will not work if the work is hard. This word translated labor carries the thought of fatigue with it, or the idea of working hard, working and toiling, or working till you are fatigued - not a concept for our easy lifestyle day is it? Today if we have to toil, we look for another job - we can't hinder ourselves like that is the thought. We must find a place to put in our time so that we can gather a pay check - forget that WORK stuff!

I think this verse presents a principle that most of us have experienced. The reward of hard work and having extra money to share with others is a real blessing.

I "retired" a couple years ago and this is one thing that has bothered me. There is no reward for sitting and watching television or drinking coffee at the local fast food joint. Those days when I find a lot of things to do around the house and maybe running errands are a real boost to me because I feel I am accomplishing something. If I weren't able to write, I most definitely would be back in the work force if I could find a job.

Many on our welfare system have never known that joy and the system is not about to allow them to. The system is self perpetuating so they must keep people on the roles so that they have a reason to exist. Some states have started requiring people to work for their check. You can tell the free loaders very easily. They are the ones that are upset about having to work for something that is "owed" them, while those honest people that are in the system due to no fault of their own are overjoyed at having something to do and being productive.

I have often wondered about people that lived on crime. It must be a frustrating thing to have to be constantly planning and scheming to find enough money to live on. They can't just go and put in their eight hours and then enjoy the rest of the day, they have to be thinking ahead about how they are going to get their next fix, or their next hit so that they can continue on. Seems a job would be an easier option.

One other application. This seems to be an absolute. Don't steal, but go to work. That isn't a multiple choice, it is an absolute - do it this way, not the other way. So many today have been educated in humanism which tells them they don't have to do what they don't want to do, they only have to do what they feel like doing - there are no absolutes, just what you want for your life. This verse proves the basic premise of humanism incorrect - there are absolutes that ought to be followed.

It is also of note that Paul places stealing as a part of the lost person, while specifying that the believer is to work for a living. That ought to tell us something in and of itself.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Oh, Paul has left giving Biblical advice and gone to meddling as the old timers used to say. What a nasty thing to say to Christians. Why would he ever say such a thing, implying that a believer would ever say anything wrong? Well, he probably was a time traveler and knows what Christians were like in the two thousands. Not that believers of all ages didn't need this admonition.

We are a righteous, saved, purified bunch but our tongues can ruin lives and seem to be straight out of the gutters. When in the Navy I took on a rather colorful way of talking, and into my early married life it came. In retrospect I have to wonder why my dear wife put up with my language - why she didn't put a sock or a dozen in my mouth I will never know.

Now, from the non-swearing perspective I wonder how people can stand to listen to themselves. In our neighborhood we have people that stand in the middle of the street using gutter language to try to level one another out verbally. They pay no mind to children walking by or neighbors that can hear every word inside their homes.

This not only relates to swearing but relates to anything that ought not come out of your mouth, lies, gossip, backbiting and even base language. Base language would relate to things that aren't discussed in normal society it is the language that is slowly being worked into the television commercials ever so "innocently." All are un-natural to the believer that has the Spirit of God within to assist them in Christian living.

On the contrary we are to edify with our mouths - build up rather than tear down - a novel concept! We are to build up one another not make others feel inadequate, unwanted and worthless.

Looking back on some of our "fellowship" over the years, much has bordered on the corrupt side of this verse. Church members getting together to complain about the teacher, the pastor, the deacon board etc. while few, it is very sad to say, border on the "edifying" side of the passage.

We did have some edification from student get togethers while in college. One couple in particular stands out in my mind. They were neighbors and one summer we started getting together in the evenings for snacks and talk. Normally the conversation turned rather quickly to things of the Lord and we would spend hours talking of spiritual things. The most special part of these times was the fact that we were challenged by the discussions to better spiritual lives - at least my wife and I felt that way - we were built up in the faith, challenged to live a more pure life, and encouraged to be more open with our faith.

This is what the idea of "fellowship" is, rather than the usual talk believers involve themselves in - the news, weather, and sports. Years ago I preached a sermon on fellowship and mentioned the usual news, weather, and sports. It was in a little cow town just off the interstate in a church full of ranchers. After the message one woman came to me, grabbed my hand, and told me that I was right on in my message, but I really had one thing wrong, in that little church it was news, weather, and bulls. The point - spiritual things should enter into our fellowship so that we are built up in the Lord.

The news, weather and sports will take care of themselves, but spiritual growth requires other topics for furtherance.

We are to do this so that your conversation is giving grace or good to the hearer, rather than negativity, venom and trash.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The reason for this call to purity of speech is so that we don't grieve the Holy Spirit. He is within us to assist, teach and guide, and if we don't live as a Christian ought we grieve Him - we ignore Him - we thumb our nose at Him. Not a great situation to be in Christian.

It is the Holy Spirit which seals us in our salvation. We are guaranteed by His seal. Why would a believer ever go against the Spirit, yet we often do just that.

Redemption is the thought of purchase back or buy back - to pay a price for something. We are sealed unto the day of redemption when we are finally, completely removed from this life and world and transferred to the next. We are sealed or guaranteed to that last day - nothing is going to change that destination. Why would we ever want to grieve the One that is responsible for doing this great thing for us spiritually? Sin is the choice and we all too often make it.

Often, on internet forums I see questions about whether a certain act is grieving the Holy Spirit. The strict context here is the misuse of the tongue and those things just preceding the verse, but I suspect the Spirit is grieved anytime we step away from His assistance and leading. He is there to minister to us, so anytime we remove ourselves from His influence we are in essence turning our backs on Him.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

And another blast from Paul on the use of the tongue and mind. They are not for the gutter and world; they are for kindness toward one another. The use of "and" between each word seems to have a certain amount of force to it. He is making it very clear that each and every one of these things is to be put away, and put away with malice.

"Bitterness" comes from the idea of a bitter root that brings forth bitterness of fruit. Something that is sharp and very distasteful, something that spreads as it grows.

"Wrath" is that which boils up within and all too often explodes before subsiding. That which takes a serious toll on both the exploder and the explodee - nobody wins when wrath rules a Christian get together.

"Anger" seems to be the action of wrath. The wrath wells up and explodes into the anger that says, does, or doesn't do something that will injure someone else. It is that which keeps the anger going.

I suspect that wrath can be a somewhat natural reaction to things external, but it should be controlled and stopped before it explodes. It should never find action.

"Clamour" is to cry out or an outcry. Again, this may relate to wrath and anger - that verbal explosion that often comes with anger.

"Evil speaking" is the word we gain blaspheme from. It is that which is evil speaking, or something that injures another. Again, this may relate to the wrath, anger and clamor. It may relate more to the content of the outcry - those cutting and injurious words that go so deep when they strike the one they are aimed at.

"Malice" is malicious, or malignant, a vicious eating thing.

PUT IT ALL AWAY - STUFF IT - PUT A SOCK IN IT if you want a more up to date term or two, though there are probably more modern terms.

These things should not be a part of any Christian's life, nor should it be a part of any Christian gathering, be it two or three or the entire congregation.

"Put away" is of interest. It is an aorist, thus indicating a one time act; however it is also passive indicating that the putting away is accomplished by some force acting upon us. The Holy Spirit is the one that will accomplish this within us as we allow him complete control. The one time nature of this has some serious applications to us.

It would indicate that this is accomplished and that it should never need to be accomplished again - think of that - we should never allow wrath to produce anything without. It may well up within us for a moment, but it should never seep out to others. We may have been explosive in our old nature, but not now, not now that we are His.

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

No! We can't lie to one another, we can't mean mouth one another, and now he wants us to be kind to one another - where will this madness end? Where did Paul gain his education, it certainly wasn't meant for the two thousands!

Paul continues with the marks of a believer and they aren't the marks of many Christians today. We are to be:

"Kind one to another" means simply to be kind. One meaning of the word is to be useful. Be useful to one another and be available for the use of others. Treat them as you like to be treated. A kind word, a kind deed, a kind smile - well not one, but that should be our lifestyle - kind words, kind acts, and kind facial features.

In our "If you see them signaling speed up" society this idea of kindness may be something we need to cultivate - something we have to consciously decide to do and then practice it daily for awhile till it becomes our way of life.

"Tenderhearted" is translated pitiful in I Peter 3.8 "Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous:" It can indicate "strong bowels" according to the Lexicons. Having guts would be our version of the word.

How does tenderhearted and having guts relate to one another is the question? In our "Men don't cry." mindset, it would take guts to be tenderhearted. I suspect it relates to the thought that to be tenderhearted and to put up with the emotions/feelings of helping those that are in need will take some strong character and fortitude.

Working with one that is on their death bed takes some real emotional investment and cost when the person finally dies. Working with someone in the throws of divorce will take time and emotion as well, and may well end in the gut wrenching end of divorce.

Being tenderhearted would be to be open to hurt with others, open to assist others, and open to share the cost with others. The women that provide a dinner for families at a funeral are tenderhearted. The people that visit the sick in the hospital are tenderhearted (unless they are doing it because they think they are supposed to do it.). The person that helps the lost child find their parent is tenderhearted.

If all believers began treating other believers with a tender heart we would have a church that is ministering to one another rather than a church full of bickering, confusion and turmoil.

"Forgiving one another" is a costly position to be in, but it is the place for every believer. Christ suggested forgiving seventy times seven times, thus this is an ongoing item of life. Any disrespect, any short word, any nasty look, and any wrong should be forgiven.

This isn't all that easy to accomplish when there are so many wrongs that are never righted. Righting a wrong isn't your purpose in life however your purpose is to forgive. God will deal with those that wrong us.

The forgiving of the believer is the same word used of God forgiving us, with the minor exception that when God forgave us it was a permanent one time act of forgiveness, while we are called upon to forgive on a continuing basis. God yet forgives us for our personal ongoing sin, but this forgiveness speaks to his salvation forgiveness.

The use of the same word speaks to the completeness of our forgiveness of one another - a hard saying, but one which we are called to accomplish in our lives.

"For Christ's sake" indicates that because Christ did the work and because He loved us God forgave us. That is true in a sense, but God's forgiveness was not based on this need/desire of Christ, but rather was founded squarely on His decrees, and His predestination of us. The term "for" and the term "sake" are general prepositions that can be translated a number of ways so the text does not really indicate what the English seems to. The ASV translates it this way: "and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you." Darby and Young also follow a similar translation.

And to top it off we are to forgive as God has forgiven us - not forgive with a grudge to satisfy us till we get over it - complete - on the spot - forgiveness.

APPLICATION:

1. Some might suggest that I have been unduly hard on Christians and the church in this section. This may be true, but this week alone - and it is only Wednesday - I have heard on the news of a pastor that has given false reports to the police about being attacked by homeless people, a Christian choir member dentist of murdering his estranged wife, and a Sunday school teacher up on sexually abusing children.

The norm? No, but that is three too many believers in the news. These are men from "evangelical" churches, not the Roman church where we know they have their own problems.

No, Christians aren't perfect, but they ought to act better than they do.

2. Relating to the sins that might grieve the Spirit, Barnes becomes quite clear in what he thinks. I would like to quote a few points that he makes.

"There is a course of conduct which will drive that Spirit from the mind as if he were grieved and pained--as a course of ingratitude and sin would pain the heart of an earthly friend, and cause him to leave you." If asked what that conduct is, we may reply,

"(1.) Open and gross sins. They are particularly referred to here; and the meaning of Paul is, that theft, falsehood, anger, and kindred vices, would grieve the Holy Spirit, and cause him to depart. [I am not sure he really means depart here, or rather, cease to function as He wishes. I am not aware that Barnes thought the Spirit would come and go in the New Testament but do not know for sure.]

"(2.) Anger, in all its forms. Nothing is more fitted to drive away all serious and tender impressions from the mind than the indulgence of anger.

"(3.) Licentious thoughts and desires. The Spirit of God is pure, and he dwells not in a soul that is filled with corrupt imaginings.

"(4.) Ingratitude. We feel ingratitude more than almost anything else; and why should we suppose that the Holy Spirit would not feel it also?

"(5.) Neglect. The Spirit of God is grieved by that. Often he prompts us to pray; he disposes the mind to seriousness, to the perusal of the Bible, to tenderness and penitence. We neglect those favored moments of our piety, and lose those happy seasons for becoming like God.

"(6.) Resistance. Christians often resist the Holy Ghost. He would lead them to be dead to the world; yet they drive on their plans of gain. He would teach them the folly of fashion and vanity; yet they deck themselves in the gayest apparel. He would keep them from the splendid party, the theatre, and the ballroom; yet they go there. All that is needful for a Christian to do, in order to be eminent in piety, is to yield to the gentle influences which would draw him to prayer and to heaven."

3. The lie - something to consider. Just what is a lie? It is the lack of truth, or the misrepresentation of truth. Truth is basic to life, without it we have a hard time functioning. Truth is slowly being whittled from our society. The politicians slaughter it, the media ignores it or now and then bends it for their own advantage.

Humanism would have us believe that there is no truth, that all is relative. Whatever you believe is then truth for you, but it may differ drastically from what the next person believes.

Truth is the basis of our lives. We must know the truth of the Word and live our lives based upon it.

In the work place one is often challenged to break truth - just a little - just a little white lie - just a little less than the full truth. Telling a customer that the boss is out when he is in, telling a visitor that mom is sick when she is not, or telling the insurance man that you are healthy when you know better.

Oh, we can justify all these things if we want, but it makes us liars if we do. John 8.44 tells us that the Devil is the father of the lie, and we honor him when we fall away from the truth in our relations with others.

There is a story that was attributed to an Irish mother but the same story is attributed to Mohammed in a commentary I recently read - now I don't know how we sort that out in comments about the lie :-) but anyway, either a Muslim man or a son of an Irish woman came and asked how they could right their telling a lie about another person. Mohammed or the Irish mother told the Muslim or the Irish child to place a feather on every door step in town. Then the next day the man or son was to go around town and retrieve every feather. The protest was that the wind would have carried them all away. This account relates just how hard it is to right the wrong of a lie.

Now, since I have been to Ireland and since I have read of the desert, I can't say either account is wrong for there is certainly wind in both lands. Maybe just another example of the lack of truth in our society today.

I like Gill's comment on the lie, "a lie is a voluntary disagreement of the mind and speech...."

4. This idea of anger needs to be considered in our day. We see what is being called "road rage" where people go ballistic because someone does something they don't like while driving.

Aristotle once said, "Anyone can become angry, but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way-this is not easy." Anger isn't wrong, but uncontrolled anger is wrong. The balance is the key.

Anger seems to be a rampant thing in the two thousands. I have a few pet ideas of why it seems to be at such an aggravated level. First, there is the key thought that there are more lost people than ever before. The population is growing rapidly and the Christian element of society is shrinking almost as rapidly. This is why America is going in such a corrupt way - there are fewer Christian voices, and some of them are so far into the liberal camp that they blend in with the lost.

Secondly, there is little to look forward to. Jobs are scarce. Jobs are disappearing. Jobs are not secure. People used to be able to work for the same company until retirement and retire on the benefits of the company. Not so today. Your job may be outsourced or contracted out and you are left in your declining years with no job and ten years till retirement. If you do make it to retirement, the company that you trusted is likely to spend your retirement fund for new equipment and tell you that they are sorry but that they needed the money.

Thirdly, there is no hope. The items mentioned above, and add to that the lostness of the lost - they have nothing to look forward to as far as a next life, so this is it and many of them have lost out on the pot of gold so have nothing to look forward to. Even if they have the pot of gold they look for a bigger pot.

Without any eternal items to look forward to, this life is it. If they are in their declining years and have not made their pot of gold, then they have little chance to do so.

Fourthly, and lastly, I believe our government is creating so many laws and so many requirements that a law abiding person tends to drive themselves crazy trying to obey all of them - those he can remember anyway. There are laws that we have not even heard of. Every time I hear of someone being charged with an accident I hear a new law or two that I had not heard of. A cab driver recently had an accident on a freeway. He was charged with not controlling his vehicle, with not keeping his vehicle in his lane and one other charge. Who knew? It used to be covered under reckless driving.

There are not only many laws, but many not so intelligent laws. The state of Oregon passed a law that school zones would be twenty miles per hour at all times of the day and all days of the week. When the law was finally implemented, it was the above, but only in normally thirty miles an hour speed zones. In thirty-five miles per hour zones the law does not apply.

When the public outcry was heard in the legislature, they determined that this was not what they meant when they passed the bill. One astute voter asked, "Well, didn't you read it before you passed it?"

Add to the above the fast pace, the cell phones, the pocket computers and the anger of others that is often vented upon the calm person and it is no wonder that the country is on a hair trigger to blow up.

The lostness of the world also closely relates. The more lost people there are the more anger and nastiness to go around. What a reason for believers to live as if Christ were their Savior - it can only bring good into a few peoples lives. However, I might suggest when you are nice to a person for the first time, duck because they will probably blow up at you for being religious.

5. Work was mentioned in this study. There is little "good" work ethic in our world today. In my book Mr. D's Notes on Lots of Other Stuff there is a study on "work" that might be of interest to you.

6. The crux of this passage to me is the stark contrast between the lost and the believer. The two are most complete opposites. You cannot find anyway in which they are not opposite. One is evil, one is good, one is corrupt, one is pure, one is godless and the other Godly.

Consider - the corruptness and evilness of the lost, then think of the most opposite living creature that you can and you have what the believer should be. Good in every respect and devoid of evil or corruptness.

The believer is to be a little Christ in this life - not that we won't sin, but that we sin little and walk as if Christ were in our every word, movement, and thought. The believer is charged with this life style and is equipped with the indwelling Spirit so that he can live it.

It isn't a maybe, it isn't a multiple choice, it is an imperative from God Himself - He asks us to be like His Son, He asks us to live as if we are redeemed, rather than like we had never heard of Christ and His Gospel.

Again, imagine what the church - the world would be like if all believers started living as they ought. What an impact the church would have on the world around them if this were to occur.

7. The vain mind is, according to the commentaries, empty minded or "empty headed" - not that we should go around telling the lost that they are mindless, or empty headed, but that is what they are in relation to God. They are totally devoid of God in their minds and lives.

Gill states of the vain mind of the lost, "every natural man walks in a vain show; the mind of man is vain, and whoever walk according to the dictates of it, must walk vainly: the phrase is expressive of the emptiness of the mind; it being naturally destitute of God, of the knowledge, fear, and grace of God; and of Jesus Christ, of the knowledge of him, faith in him, and love to him; and of the Spirit and his graces; and it also points at the instability and changeableness of the human mind, in which sense man at his best estate was altogether vanity; as also the folly, falsehood, and wickedness of it in his fallen state: and the mind discovers its vanity in its thoughts and imaginations, which are vain and foolish; in the happiness it proposes to itself, which lies in vain things, as worldly riches, honours, &c. and in the ways and means it takes to obtain it, and in words and actions; and the Gentiles showed the vanity of their minds in their vain philosophy and curious inquiries into things, and in their polytheism and idolatry: to walk herein, is to act according to the dictates of a vain and carnal mind; and it denotes a continued series of sinning, or a vain conversation maintained, a progress and obstinate persisting therein with pleasure: now God's elect before conversion walked as others do, but when they are converted their walk and conversation is not, at least it ought not to be, like that of others:"