Oh be careful little lips what you say...

Ephesians 4: 21-32
"If so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, SPEAK EVERY MAN TRUTH WITH HIS NEIGHBOUR: for we are members one for another. BE YE ANGRY AND SIN NOT: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil: Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 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. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

This is a long reading but I believe God has lots of things for me to learn from it. When we ask Jesus into our hearts we become a "new man." All of the old things we were and used to do are put away. I think these verses are a challenge from God to us. If we lie, steal, cheat, and are angry along with a lot of other things we are allowing the devil to have a place in our hearts (verse 27). I pray everyday that God would put satan out of my life. I definately don't want to "welcome" him in by doing these things.
I believe He is also saying he wants us to be a living example of Him. Verse 29 says, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minster grace unto the hearers." I think God is saying here that everything we say should only uplift others around us and ultimately uplift our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When I read these verses I couldn't help but think of the little song we used to sing in Sunday School when I was a kid. Oh be careful little eyes what you see, Oh be careful little eyes what you see, For the Father up above is looking down in love Oh be careful little eyes what you see. The verses change and also say Oh be careful little lips what you say, oh be careful little feet where you go, and oh be careful little ears what you hear. We really do have to be careful of these things, not only as children but even as adults. One little word or even attitude can ruin a testimony of faith. I love verse 30 "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." As born again Christians we are sealed unto the day of redemption meaning this salvation can never be taken away from us. So because Christ has sealed us, He is asking that we grieve not (put no distress upon) the Holy Spirit. Because we are changed by the blood that He shed for us on Calvary, there is no reason for us to hinder others with our words and actions. As Christians, Christ says we are to be set apart. Deuteronomy 14:2 "For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth."
Peculiar means to be unique: belonging exclusively to or identified distinctly with Christ and distinct from all others. He wants us to stand out from all the rest because He loves us so much!
A lot of times in this world, it's a little easier just to follow the "crowd." But it's SO much more rewarding to follow Christ. Hey doesn't He deserve it?!

*Heather