Ephesians Part 26
Much of our culture lives under the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, where half-truths sound just but often serve to divide and destroy. But the antidote is found in putting God first, acknowledging His Word as the foundation of truth, and committing to live by that truth.
In Ephesians 4 verse 25, Paul transitions from the lofty theology of our new identity in Christ to six practical examples of what it means to live that new life day by day. Each example reflects three essential principles: first, they all concern our relationships with others; second, each negative command is balanced by a positive one. This is a kind of spiritual “replacement therapy.” Third, every command is undergirded by a theological reason demonstrating how words, belief and behavior are inseparably linked.
We begin with truthfulness. “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25). Imagine a world where this were truly practiced! Lying, deception and “pseudonyms” are common today. Much of our culture lives under the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, where half-truths sound just but often serve to divide and destroy. But the antidote is found in putting God first, acknowledging His Word as the foundation of truth, and committing to live by that truth. Jesus Himself declared, “Your Word is truth” (John 17:17), and that truth sanctifies us, setting us apart for God’s purpose. Later in Ephesians 5:26, Paul will say that the Church is cleansed by that same Word of truth. Jesus is the embodiment of truth: “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17), and “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
“Speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) means that our words, actions and conduct must all reflect God’s Spirit of truth, and be seasoned with grace. Satan, the “father of lies” (John 8:44), delights in deception, but every form of falsehood injures the body of Christ. Paul reminds us that “we are members of one another.” A lie within the body is like a wound—perhaps small at first, but one that can fester and infect the whole. Truth, spoken with love, brings healing and unity.
The second example deals with anger:
“‘Be angry, and do not sin;’ do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26).
There is a place for righteous anger in the Christian life. We are called to hate evil, as God does. Yet anger is a dangerous emotion, it can easily turn from holy indignation to sinful reaction. Psalm 4:4, which Paul quotes here, gives us a key: “Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed and be still.” When anger rises, we are to pause, to lift up our thoughts to God and reflect before reacting. Meditation on His righteousness calms the spirit and gives perspective.
James 1:19–20 offers a complementary principle: “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Righteous anger opposes evil but does not seek vengeance or domination. Paul warns us not to let the sun go down on our anger. This means we shouldn’t nurse resentment or let bitterness take root. Anger unresolved gives Satan a foothold in our hearts and homes. Satan loves anger; he loves to fuel it to exploit its ability to provoke hatred and violence. When wronged, we are to deal with our own hearts first, then approach others in the spirit of Matthew 18—seeking peace, not victory.
The third example (Ephesians 4:28) concerns honesty and labor: “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” This echoes the eighth commandment, “You shall not steal,” but Paul goes beyond mere prohibition. True repentance is not just stopping sin; it also includes replacing it with righteousness. The thief must not only cease stealing but begin working, contributing and giving. Paul models this ethic in his own ministry, as he worked to support himself and avoid burdening others (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12). His motivation was not self-reliance but generosity: “They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do” (Galatians 2:10).
This is the transformation Christ brings—He turns a taker into a giver, a burglar into a benefactor, anger into reconciliation. Honest work is not only for personal provision but to equip us for service. As the Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes, Paul’s phrase “to share” implies direct, personal giving—meeting needs relationally, not distantly. In this, the repentant saint becomes equipped for the work of ministry, contributing to the building up of the body of Christ.
These practical examples of how to apply God’s word and law to our lives demonstrate another reason that Ephesians is such a special epistle.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
