Ephesians 4:21-23
Lord You are the truth by which all things live, for truly outside of You and Your grace “I am dead in my trespasses and sins” (eph 2:1). You call me to change the conduct of my mind O Lord, to practice forms of self control and to rely on Your good mercy to change my heart and conduct. My former man is dead in You, and in You alone do I have the opportunity to live according to the Spirit. Yet I am at war, for though he, my old man, is dead, I live in a fallen world which always wants to deceive unto sin. And should I believe the deception for one moment, it is than that I am “drawn away by my own desire” (James 1:14), and I sin against You my Lord, Lover of my soul.
The speech of the new man should be without these things,
“Therefore, putting away lies, let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor...”
Corrupt words (foul language, lewd conversations...)
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth...”
“but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Our conduct should be without the following as well, (Ephesians 4:31)
Bitterness (resentment)
Wrath (Rage, Passion of the moment intense anger)
Anger (Internal hostility)
Clamor (Outcry of strife out of control.)
Evil Speaking (Slander, which is a form of judgment)
Malice (evil)
Lord change me of such conduct. My heart is deceptive and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Bitterness, gossip and slander have filled my tongue. Who can save me from myself but You Jesus? No other name has the power to save me from the deception of my own soul, no one has the power to convict me of my sin and than give me the strength to repent but You alone. I know you can fix this broken heart, I know that you can remove my bitterness, my anger, my sin. And I know that it is You alone who can change my heart that I live according to Your Spirit. May it be O Lord, change this heart of mine, to honor you, in the mundane, activities of daily living, living by your grace, for the glory of your name.
