Taking Off Natural Reactions to Put On Spiritual Actions (3)

Concluding Paul’s challenge in Ephesians 4:30-32,having considered the negative consideration, we now see the positive.

The best way to destroy vice is to develop virtue. While we will not here get into the argument of whether or not we can “legislate morality,” it cannot be argued that far better than legislation is changing the heart. The godlier we are, the more we desire holiness, the less vice and corruption there will be, the less evil we will do. So in contrast to the natural reactions of the “Old Man,” verse 32 lists three spiritual actions of the “New Man.”

First, in great contrast to “wrath” (v. 26) and “stealing” (v. 28) toward others, we are to be kind one to another. When used of persons, the Greek chrēstos (kind) describes one who is “good-natured, gentle,” “mild [and] pleasant” in contrast to “harsh, hard, sharp, [and] bitter.” Our Lord used this word, for example, to describe God Himself as one Who is kind even “unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Lk. 6:35). How merciful God is to allow men to continue in his indescribable wickedness! Likewise, no matter whom we deal with, we are to do so with kindness.

Second, in great contrast to being “past feeling” (v. 19), we are to be tenderhearted, that is, full of compassion and pity. This Greek word (eusplagchnos) appears only here and I Peter 3:8, where it is a integral part of unity: “be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful [i.e., full of pity], be courteous” (emphasis added).

Third, in great contrast to “bitterness” and “malice” (v. 31), we are to be forgiving one another. Forgiving translates charizomai, which is derived from charis (grace) and therefore speaks of showing favor, graciously giving to someone. It’s used “chiefly in connection with the decisive, gracious gift of God,” as in Romans 8:32, where He “spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (emphasis added). So, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven [us], we forgive one another.

Bitterness and unforgiveness are well illustrated by the stubborn old farmer who was plowing his field. His neighbor was watching in puzzlement as the old guy was struggling much harder than necessary to guide the plow horse. Finally he said, “I don’t want to butt in, but you could save yourself a lot of work by saying ‘gee’ [right] and ‘haw’ [left] instead of jerking on the reins.” Wiping his brow, the old timer replied, “Yep, I know, but this here mule kicked me six years ago, and I ain’t spoke to him since.”

How often do we act the same way? “But that person wronged me,” we argue, “he hurt me, he insulted me!” But may we consider what we did to the Savior, but He forgave us without hesitation. Oh, the agony we put our Savior through and we have the audacity to say, “That person hurt my feelings and I don’t think I will ever get over it.” How childish! What trouble our “feelings” cause! In a day when many people are “in touch with their feelings,” how often those feeling lead to ruin. There are many Christians who chirp right along with the world’s philosophy today and say such things as, “Well, this is just how I feel,” or, “This is what I think.” But what trouble it all brings!

Neither should we deny our feelings; rather we should deal with them; they should be controlled by the mind. What matters is what the Word of God says, not what we think or feel. Just as God pardoned and released us from the sin we committed, we likewise are to release and pardon someone from a trespass against us. “But they don’t deserve forgiveness,” we may say. Neither did any of us deserve the pardon of God. “But they did a terrible thing to me,” we cry. But was that trespass as terrible as our nailing Jesus to the cross with our sin? “Does this mean they will get away with what they did?” we may ask. Indeed not! God says that vengeance belongs to Him and that He will judge sin (Deut. 32:35; Heb. 10:30; etc.). Let us allow God to take care of the matter.

There we have “The New Life.” My dear Christian Friend, are you living this New Life? Have you taken off the graveclothes and put on the graceclothes?