Putting on the New Self (or: Reading and Applying the Bible) – 2

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OpenBookScripture: Ephesians 4:20-27

It takes some efforts for the word of God to have effects in our lives. In addition to meditating on it and memorizing at least some part of it so that our lives can be transformed by renewed minds, we sometimes need to deeply search our souls in order to recognize our spiritual problems and to find comfort, solution or necessary changes through the word of God. We also need commitment and discipline to follow God’s word and God’s will.

With the simplified guidelines on Bible reading/application given in previous article (Putting on the New Self), we will just look at some principles we can learn from today’s passage without going into details. The point is not just listing them or just knowing them, however. The important thing is that we examine ourselves to see if there is any area in our lives that needs improvement or even correction, and we let God’s word speak to us.

In the column for “real-life application” I only put down “introspect.” There is no substitute for meditating on God’s word and think of how it may apply in our own lives.

Applying Ephesians 4:25-26
Verse Scripture Principle application in real life
25 put off falsehood be an honest and sincere person introspect
25 speak truthfully to your neighbor do not lie; get rid of pretense introspect
25 we are all members of one body remember unity in Christ introspect
26 in your anger do not sin exercise control (it is doable); anger is understandable at times; but do not sin; do not make terrible mistake in anger introspect
26 Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry do not accumulate anger (sometimes for a long time); let go of things that upset us unnecessarily introspect

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105 TNIV)


20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned
21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
(Eph 4:20-27 TNIV)


Comments

Putting on the New Self (or: Reading and Applying the Bible) – 2 — 4 Comments

  1. David,
    I didn’t ask you at the beginning but it is never too late to ask (though the question is not directly related to this post): Why have you picked this book, Ephesians, as your first book for Bible study on this blog? I think you may have some reasons or there may be some unique features about the book of Ephesians. It would be interesting to know. Thanks!
    Anna

    • Main because it has a nice combination of messages to the Church and to messages individual believers, and also a balance of theological teaching and practice.

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