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.
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.
Tori's Comments:
"anger gives a foothold to the devil" Some frustration or impatience may seem so small, but give way to something deeper and far worse than you thought.
To let EVERYTHING I say be an encouragement to hearers goes beyond not saying mean things but instead letting kindness and love reign over our mouths. That is an area in my life that will need a lot of work.
Terrie's Comments:
As we have been learning, We are freed from the law. We are free to use that freedom however we choose to use it. However there are benefits to living how the Holy Spirit guides you and becoming more like Jesus Christ.
Like... there are reasons to not let anger control you and to not hold grudges or hold onto anger towards others... it is because Anger gives the devil a foothold.
We use our hands to work hard so we can give generously to those in need.
The reason to not use foul or abusive language and to use good and helpful words instead is to be an encouragement to others around you.
When bring glory to God, by the way we live, because he has identified us as His own and guarantee's that we will be saved on the day of redemption, we don't bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit.
And when we get rid of all types of evil behavior and replace it with being kind to each other and forgiving each other we are imitating Jesus and becoming more like the one who died to save us.
Our behavior doesn't make us right with God or anymore righteous but there are benefits to using our freedom in Christ for His glory and getting to partner with him to further the kingdom of Heaven!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
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Please keep all comments respectful. We want to remember that each of us is at a different place in our walk with God. This is a place for us to share openly about what has been revealed to us as we open up Gods word and to learn from others. Please take every opportunity possible to build each other up in love :-)