The South Barrow Bulletin 2014 16/03/2014 | Page 3

BIBLE READING

Ephesians 4
Verses 17 to 32
In the Lord's name, then, I warn you: do not continue to live like
the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless and whose minds are
in the dark. They have no part in the life that God gives, for they
are completely ignorant and stubborn. They have lost all feeling of
shame; they give themselves over to vice and do all sorts of
indecent things without restraint.
That was not what you learned about Christ! You certainly heard
about him, and as his followers you were taught the truth that is
in Jesus. So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you
used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its
deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made
completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is
created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is
upright and holy.
No more lying, then! Each of you must tell the truth to the other
believer, because we are all members together in the body of
Christ. If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into
sin, and do not stay angry all day. Don't give the Devil a chance. If
you used to rob, you must stop robbing and start working, in
order to earn an honest living for yourself and to be able to help
the poor. Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the
kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you
say will do good to those who hear you. And do not make God's
Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a
guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free. Get
rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or
insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. Instead, be kind and
tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God
has forgiven you through Christ.