EPHESIANS CHAPTER FOUR

Last week we looked at our vocation, our job, calling or duty, as children of God. This week I
want to touch on how to conduct ourselves to get the job done and there is no better place to start
than Ephesians chapter four.
Ephesians 4:1 (KJV)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith ye are called,
I showed you that not only have you been given the tools, but, God is at work together with us and
in us to accomplish the task. Ephesians chapter four gives us information on how to conduct ourselves
to get the job done.
Ephesians 4:2-3 (KJV)
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Let me first point out that Ephesians is not addressed to all Christians, but, to believers. Those that are
not only born again, but, are walking the Christian walk and Ephesians 4:2,3 are talking about believers
interacting with other believers. It is not talking about dealing with people not born again of God’s spirit.
The word “lowliness” is not what we think of today, a person with an attitude of unworthiness or
poverty minded. NO, NO, NO! God made us worthy! We, as sons and daughters of God. We are royalty.
We are more than conquerors. It must have a different meaning than unworthiness and it does.
The word “lowliness” should be translated as “humility.” So, now you need to ask yourself “humble to
who?”
Meekness is another word that we don’t understand because it has a different meaning now than it did
back in biblical times. The Bible says that Moses was the meekest man on the face of the earth and, yet,
we would never consider Moses meek. Why? Because we consider someone who is meek to be mousy
or timid. Whereas, meek in the Bible means coachable or teachable.
So these two words cannot be referring to being humble and coachable to anyone but God and His
Word. When you do this you will be patient (long suffering,) and you will interact with each other in the
love of God in the renewed mind. Also, by walking by the revealed Word of God you will diligently, the
word “endeavouring” is the Greek word for “diligently,” keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:4 (KJV)
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
There is one body which every Christian is a part of and that is the body of Christ. one spirit – the holy
spirit given to everyone that does Romans 10:9,10. One hope and that is the hope of going to Heaven
and receiving rewards for our diligent stand here on earth.Ephesians 4:5-7 (KJV)
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
When it says “the measure of the gift” it means every Christian has as much spirit as anyone else. We all
the same enablements, the same ability and the same authority.
Ephesians 4:8-10 (KJV)
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all
things.)
Jesus Christ accomplished it all for your redemption and mine. He died was resurrected and ascended
into heaven so that we could become God’s sons and daughters.
Ephesians 4:11-15 (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,
unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
There are only six gifts no more no less. The gift of holy spirit and the five gift ministries.
Ephesians 4:16 (KJV)
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint
supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the
body unto the edifying of itself in love.
What a wonderful verse. What it is saying is that when we start walking or acting the way God
teaches or coaches us to walk/act we will be building up each other and in turn the whole body of
Christ will benefit and build up the believers by and in love.
In contrast to verse sixteen verses seventeen through nineteen tell us what NOT to do.
Ephesians 4:17-20 (KJV)
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the
vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance thatis in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness (filthy vices), to work all
uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
Verses 17-20 sound like they were written today! People alienating themselves from not only a walk
with God, but, life itself because of their decisions.
Ephesians 4:21-24 (KJV)
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the
deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Every Christian has two natures, the old man nature and the new man. The old man nature is of the
world and looks at the things of this world. The old man nature is at enmity with God. The new man
nature is the God in Christ in each and every born-again Christian.
When we walk according to the revealed Word of God we renew our minds and walk God’s walk of
righteousness and true holiness.
Ephesians 4:25 (KJV)
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of
another. See I Corinthians (12:12-27)
Ephesians 4:26-27 (KJV)
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
I use this verse a lot in dealing with married couples. But, look how healing this would be to each and
every Christian if they would work out their differences with others before the end of the day or they let
go of all their animosity, anger and grievances before they put their head on the pillow at night. What a
sweat sleep they would have and what a fresh start they would have the next morning. By doing this we
don’t give openings for our adversary, the devil, to take advantage of us.
Ephesians 4:28 (KJV)
28 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.
Ephesians 4:29-30 (KJV)
29 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.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
By not ministering grace unto the people that you talk to, by speaking worthless communication, words
that do not benefit, you are grieving the holy spirit of God.Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV)
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with
all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake
hath forgiven you.
Do you know how you change the world? You change it one person at a time and you start with
yourself. What a wonderful change in your life and the lives of others will take place when you walk in
the light of God’s Wonderful matchless Word.