Daily Wisdom

“Neither give place to the devil. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:” Eph 4:27; 29; 31

Paul’s instructing us to take caution in three areas concerning our old nature versus our new nature. He warns us as to our Fortification, Communication and Spiritualization. 1.) We need a spiritual security system for the heart and mind that will prevent any access or place for the devil (accuser/slanderer) or any adversary to set up shop. Preventing him that takes delight in slandering and reproaching God and believers; give such no room, nor reason, to defame the doctrine and ways of Christ, through an unbecoming conversation, lying and sinful anger, or any means by which the good of God and/or man is attacked. 2.) Some of us need a spiritual publicist, which we do in the Holy Spirit; unfortunately many Christians speak and write (text) on their own behalf. And what is publicly published is in no way edifying or able to minister to others, but corrupt as if the slanderer/accuser proofed it. We’ve all had a parent or grand-parent remind us, “If you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything at all.” We are told “let no” corrupt words, unsavoury speech, foolishness be spoken; it doesn’t say “try not”.  3.) While Paul closes with reiterating his second point of evil speaking (reason God repeats himself) he warns against our old nature that often resurfaces in bitterness, anger and wrath against man. Such actions grieve the Holy Spirit (vs 30). This is usually the progression, bitterness (from unmet expectations), anger (our rights over God/others… selfishness), wrath (motivating fuel for the old nature/man) and eventually clamour (the action that takes place verbally/physically). The which Paul says we must be put away, not to be used for retaliation or defense. We are told to Fortify the heart and mind, Communicate through the spirit and put away the old self-serving nature that grieves the Holy Spirit.  

As the right relationship with Christ generates a Christian, the right relationship with the Holy Spirit breeds a spiritual man.

HSAY… Todd