The Christian Life—Continued
21 If youp learned Him and been taught by Him, then, as the truth is in Jesus,
22 Get rid of the former lifestyle, the old nature, which is rotten from deceitful lusts,
23 Instead, be renewed in the spirit of yourp mind.
[Believers, upon faith in Christ, have a newly created self—the heart. See 2 Corinthians 5:17. Since that is fact, now is the time to live the traits of that new creation. Paul tells us what to do with his apostolic authority].
24 Put on the new nature, which according to God’s [likeness] is created in righteousness and true holiness.
[Righteousness and true holiness have a standard—God and His ways. It is the principles of the Kingdom of God. The word “created” is κτίζω ktízō (G2936). Thayer has:
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To make habitable, to people, a place, region, island
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To found a city, colony, state
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To create
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Of God creating the worlds
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To form, shape, i.e., to completely change or transform
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Holiness and righteousness are related to truth, God’s standards, and the principles of God’s kingdom].
25 For this reason, do away with lying. “Let each speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. [Zechariah 8:16]
[God cannot lie, so He doesn’t want any citizens of His kingdom to lie. See Psalm 51:6, Proverbs 12:22, and Acts 5:8].
26 When youp are “angry, do not sin.” [Psalm 4:4] Do not let the sun set on yourp anger.
[Anger is one of the communicable character traits of God. Anger is not a sin. It can become a sin. Anger destroys a person and the other person as well. See Mark 3:5. Even though God is longsuffering (patience while being provoked), He does become angry (Psalm 2:12). Revenge is God’s alone (Romans 12:19). Psalm 37:8 CSB Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated—it can only bring harm].
27 Do not give an opportunity to the Devil.
[The devil desires to destroy believers. He will lie in many ways by seducing, bringing liars into our lives, lies via all the senses. Compare Proverbs 13:5, 1 John 4:20, James 4:7 (resist the devil), and 1 Peter 5:8-9. Since the devil is looking to destroy us, don’t give him an excuse to accuse you].
28 Let him who stole, steal no more, but let him work, laboring with his hands what is good, so that he may have something to give to him who is in need.
[More principles of God’s Kingdom—do not steal but work. Work is good. God worked (Genesis 2:2-3). God rested (Genesis 2:3).
29 Do not let any rotten language come out of yourp mouth, instead that which is good to use for building up, so that it may administer grace to the hearers.
[Telling the truth in love is not rotten language. The Greek word for “rotten language” is σαπρός saprós (G4550). It means “in the process of decay.” It has a good sense as aged cheese and a bad sense as unserviceable but not offensive (TDNTa). Our speech has great importance and effect. It deceives others (Romans 16:18). Speech can sound loving, but there is this gut feeling that the person talking hates us (Psalm 55:21). The actions of love are more important than the words (1 John 3:18). It should be graceful, that is, having a good, caring tone (Colossians 4:6). Edification is the goal. Growth of our spiritual lives comes from loving rebuke and well as instruction and thankfulness. The devil seeks to destroy. Compare John 10:10 and 1 Peter 5:8. God seeks to save and edify. Compare Romans 14:19 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11. With God’s assisting grace, we can glorify God].
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by which youp are sealed for the day of redemption.
[The Holy Spirit has emotions because He is a person. God is one, namely God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. One in essence; three persons. The Holy Spirit is not just a force, He is a person. Grieve has the sense of to make sad. Being sad is not a weakness. God the Holy Spirit is holy and wants us to be holy as well. He wants us to be citizens of God’s kingdom—believing in and living the principles of that kingdom].
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, angry shouting, verbal abuse be put far away from youp along with all spite.
[All of these things grieve God].
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven youp.
[All of these things please the Holy Spirit].