I'm a Saint, Pt. 21

As we finish Ephesians 4, verses 25-32 are packed with contrasts between our old selves (marked by darkness and unrighteousness) and our new selves (marked by holiness and righteousness). The old man is characterized by lies, anger, theft, corrupt talk, and all behaviors that grieve the Holy Spirit. In comparison, the new man is marked by honesty, righteous indignation, giving, and graceful speech that builds up others.

All these imperatives are given to the church, and therefore relationships are the context for all the actions of the new man, in which we ultimately strive to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, just like Jesus.