This week’s devotions are based on Week 2 of Building Together: “Some Things Have to Go!” (WATCH HERE)
Ephesians 4:25–29 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Paul gets very practical in today’s reading. After talking about the renewed mind and the new self, he begins showing us what that new life looks like in everyday relationships. He tells us to put away falsehood, deal with anger, stop stealing, and get rid of words that tear people down.
But notice something important about Paul’s instructions. He does not simply tell us what to stop doing. He tells us what to do instead.
“Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.” Instead of stealing, work honestly so that you can have something to share with those in need. Instead of allowing corrupt talk to come out of your mouth, speak “only what is good for building up.”
That is the picture of Christian growth. God does not simply tear things out of our lives and leave an empty space behind. He replaces what is destructive with something good.
Think about renovating a house. If you tear out an old wall, you don’t leave the opening exposed forever. You put something better in its place. If you remove an old floor, you eventually replace it with something new. Demolition is necessary, but demolition is not the goal. The goal is to build something better.
The same is true in our lives.
Maybe there is a habit of speaking negatively about other people. It needs to be torn out. But God does not simply say, “Stop talking.” He teaches us to use our words to encourage and strengthen others.
Maybe anger has become a regular part of the way we respond to people. That needs to be torn out. But God doesn’t leave us empty. He teaches us patience, reconciliation, and forgiveness.
Maybe selfishness has shaped the way we use our time, money, or abilities. God calls us to something better. Paul says that the person who once stole should now work honestly “so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” The old life says, “What can I get?” The new life asks, “What can I give?”
That is what makes the Christian life beautiful. The Gospel doesn’t simply make us less bad. Christ is building something new in us that becomes a blessing to others.
This is Demo Day in the Christian life. Christ is tearing out what doesn’t belong, but He is also building something beautiful in its place. He is teaching us to speak truth, show generosity, encourage others, and use our lives for the good of those around us.
The goal isn’t an empty house.
The goal is a life that builds others up.
Reflect: Are your words more likely to build people up or tear them down? What is one change you could make this week? What is one old behavior or attitude that Christ may be calling you to tear out, and what godly behavior could you put in its place?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times my words and actions have hurt others instead of building them up. Thank You for the grace You have shown me and for the new life You have given me. Tear out the attitudes and behaviors that do not belong, and replace them with truth, generosity, kindness, and encouragement. Help me use my words and actions to strengthen the people around me and to reflect Your love. Amen.