Paul challenges believers to live in a way that honors their status as members of the body of Christ. As God's representatives on Earth, Christians should demonstrate unity, humility, and moral/ethical behavior. Specifically, believers are instructed to reject sinful nature, speak truthfully, manage anger properly, use constructive language, and forgive others as God forgives. The goal is for Christians to please the Holy Spirit with their conduct and bring people to Christ through their example.

1. Ephesians 4
The morals and standards to live by for all believers

2. We are the Church, the unified body of Christ
Ephesians 4
Paul turns his attention to the implications of
being the body of Christ, the church. Believers
should have unity in their commitment to Christ, &
live with the highest moral standards because God
has chosen us to be Christ's representatives on
earth.

3. In Ephesians 4
Paul challenges us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received- the awesome
privilege of being called Christ's own. People are watching your life.
Can they see Christ in you? How well are you doing as His representative?
Here I have compiled key verses in Ephesians 4 that give clear instructions on how we
should be conducting ourselves as individuals and within the church, the Unified body of
Christ. Below each set of scriptures I have added, in italics, my own words and how you
can take action to apply it to you life. If you have anything to add or maybe disagree,
please leave me a comment, or contact me via facebook, I embrace corrections,
constructive criticism and others opinions!

4. Ephesians 4:2, 3
2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with
each other, making allowance for each other’s
faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort
to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding
yourselves together with peace
Ephesians 4:2 No one is ever going to be perfect, not you or your neighbor, so we must accept & love
other Christians in spite of their faults. Is there someone whose actions or personality just really gets on
your nerves? Rather than talking about those annoyances or looking for their faults, try praying for that
person, or better yet find a way to spend time w/them to see if you can learn to like them.

5. Ephesians 4 :22-24
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.
Ephesians 4 :22-24 Our old way of life before we received Christ is completely in the past. Like old
clothes, it should be thrown away. Receiving Christ is not a one time action, but a daily commitment. We
must make a decision daily to walk in the newness of our creation, putting off our old desires and ask the
Holy Spirit each morning to be our guide, to teach us & show us the way! Remembering that this
transformation is not sudden, it takes time. Yes God has the power to make it sudden, but what would we
learn? Just as you teach your children lessons, so they understand the wrong & the effect, so God also will
show us the inequities of our sin. You can read a short story of this transformation here

6. Ephesians 4:25-27
Ephesians 4 25-27 Lying to each other disrupts unity by creating conflicts and destroying trust. It tears down
relationships and leads to open warfare in a church. The Bible doesn't tell us that we shouldn't feel angry, but it
points out that it is important to handle our anger properly. If you hold it in, you can cause yourself to become bitter,
destroying yourself from within. If you vent it thoughtlessly, when angered, you may really hurt the other person
and destroy that relationship. Paul is telling us to deal with angry immediately in a way that builds relationships
not destroy them. Nursing anger gives the devil an opportunity to divide us.
Are you angry with someone right now? What can you do to resolve your differences? Don't let the
day end before you begin to work on mending your relationship!
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.” Don’t let
the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for
anger gives a foothold to the devil.

7. Ephesians 4:28, 29
Ephesians 4:28,29 Here Paul warns us against unwholesome talk, bitterness, improper use of anger, harsh words,
slander, and bad attitudes towards others. Instead of acting that way, we should be forgiving, just as God has forgiven
us. Remember the old saying “if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"! At my home
it is a house rule that we do not use words to tear others down but to lift them up.
When someone has wronged you, or done something that you feel is in need of correcting? Do you correct them in a
way that encourages them to do better, or apologize? Or do you accuse them with words that put them on the defense?
Like "Why would you do that"? Or make them feel inadequate by asking, "What did you think would happen"?
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.

8. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way
you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,
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
Ephesians 4 :30-31 We can bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit by the way we live, causing us to miss out on His fullness
and power . The Holy Spirit within us is a guarantee that we belong to God, and Jesus said he will be our teacher &
counselor, we can ask the Holy Spirit to teach us self control, or how to love others they way God loves us, in spite of
our misbehavior.
Are you bringing sorrow or pleasing God w/your attitudes & actions?
Ephesians 4:30 -32

9. Ephesians 4 :32 This is Christ's law of forgiveness as taught in the Gospels (Matt
6:14-15;18:35; Mark 11:25) God forgives us not because we forgive others but
because of his great mercy. As we come to understand his mercy, we will want to pass
it on to other. Those unwilling to forgive have not become one with Christ, who
was willing to forgive even those who crucified him.
What are you holding onto? Is there someone or something that you just can’t let go of &
forgive, that you feel was far too bad to let them off the hook?
Maybe you're over the hurt, but you just refuse to be around that person or even
acknowledge their existence. If so, think how your life would be if Jesus said, "No, not
her/him, He isn't worthy, what she did was far to bad"
Remember Unforgiveness hurts you more than the
other person.

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