Often a statement from scripture has a "theme context" [its relationship to the continuation of the primary thought] and an "immediate context" [its relationship to the surrounding statements]. Lesson twelve focused on the theme context of Ephesian 4:30. This lesson focuses on the immediate context of Ephesians 4:30.

For many reasons, Christians should be the most encouraging people anyone meets. (1) They live in the awareness of God's perfect forgiveness. Because of God's promise, they trust God's forgiveness of those sins committed before they became Christians (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:7, 8a). They understand that entering Christ began a cleansing [a forgiveness] that is a daily, ongoing process (1 John 1:9) No, they do not exploit God's grace. Yes, they trust God's assurance.

(2) As individuals, they are not weighed down by burdens of guilt. Their consciences are cleansed, not dead. They gave Jesus their burdens (Matthew 11:28-30). They trust Jesus' promise to bear their burdens. They know their sins are included in those Jesus took to the cross (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus frees them from their failures, and they live in the joy and appreciation of that freedom.

(3) Christians are a people who are at peace (Roman 5:1, 2). They are at peace with God, each other, and themselves. This prevailing sense of peace is not dependent on external circumstances--good jobs, abundant money, material well being, pleasurable lifestyles, excellent physical futures. Their peace rises from internal realities. They are at peace because their relationship with God through Christ is certain, not questionable. No matter what occurs in the world about them, they are secure. Their security is based on (1) God's love for them and (2) what Jesus did and does for them.

To encourage others, Christians must care about others. Christians care about people. This caring is not self-centered or self-seeking. Christian caring expresses itself in a variety of ways. Nowhere is this loving concern more evident than in what Christians say to and about others.

Jesus stressed the power of words. He said, "For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart" (Matthew 12:34b). In the same context he said, "I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36, 37). On another occasion he said, "The things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man" (Matthew 15:18). Our words express our thoughts. Our thoughts come from our hearts. Our words further God's purposes within us or oppose God's purposes within us.

Paul's instruction not to grieve the Spirit came (1) immediately after his admonition concerning speech and (2) immediately before attitudes and actions that produce "unwholesome words."

Consider Paul's instruction to "let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth . . ." A genuine, indepth response to Christ changes one's heart. Changing one's heart changes one's attitudes and vocabulary. When God's influence is absent from one's heart, God's influence is absent from one's speech. Godless speech quickly becomes (1) crude, (2) vulgar, and (3) insensitive to others. A clear evidence of God's presence in a person is seen in the speech that person uses. His [her] words are sensitive--to God and to others.

The Christian is sensitive to another person's immediate need. He [she] wants the other person to be encouraged, built up by his [her] words. It is not an attempt to flatter. It is not an effort to exploit. It is not a desire to mislead a person by "telling him [her] what he [she] wants to hear." It is the commitment to encourage because "I care."

Consider Paul's prohibition. Certain attitudes cannot reside in a Christian's heart: bitterness [harshness], wrath [sudden, passionate outburst], anger [a continual state]. If such attitudes are given residence in a Christian's heart, that heart produces quarrelsome, contentious shouting that declares resentment. These resentful hearts look hatefully at other people.

The words and attitudes from a mean heart grieve the Spirit. The words and attitudes from a caring heart encourage the Spirit. Mean hearts produce mean speech. In contrast, caring hearts are kind, tender, and forgiving. Just as a loving God paid the full price for our forgiveness "while we were yet sinners" (Romans 5:8), the Christian seeks to extend forgiveness as God does.

The contrast is astounding! A mean heart is unconcerned about the hurt it causes. It can shout in wrath and be destructively resentful. If the Spirit is grieved, so be it! The caring heart is kind, tender, and forgiving. Its words encourage people. Its attitudes encourage the Spirit. The Christian's heart reveals itself through that Christian's speech.

Questions:

1. What should determine the thoughts expressed by our words? Through his [her] words, what does the Christian wish to extend to the person who hears? (verse 29)

2. The seal [imprinted mark] that declares the Christian is God's property is God's Spirit. The Christian does not want to speak in a manner that causes the Spirit to do what? (verse 30)

3. What should have no a place in the Christian? Discuss the attitudes and actions of these heart qualities. (verse 31)

4. In contrast, what are the attitudes and actions of the Christian who encourage the Spirit? (verse 32)

5. Who is adopted as the example of how to forgive? (verse 32)

6. If a Christian is dedicated to godly character and integrity, which heart will he [she] develop? Why?

Link to Teacher's Guide Lesson 13

Copyright © 2002
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ

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