Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

I. Jesus can change a mom’s speech into something beautiful.

A. In Ephesians 4:25-32 we see that the Apostle Paul is giving the church some very practical ways to take off the old wardrobe of the old self and to put on our new selves – to become more like Jesus. In vs. 25 Paul tells people in the church to put away falsehood (vs. 25) like you would put away an old pair of clothes. Instead, speak the truth. The motivation for speaking the truth in vs. 25 is that we in the church are members of one another. Speaking the truth leads to a beautiful harmony and unity.

B. Another practical piece of advice with regard to your speech is found in vs. 29. The word “corrupt” in vs. 29 literally means rotten. These rotten words destroy others. They are harmful words. They are words of death. So, what is the beautiful way Jesus can empower us to speak? God wants us to speak words “such as is good for building up… that it may give grace to those who hear” (vs. 29). Instead of speaking words of death to a child, God wants us to speak words of life. He wants us to take every opportunity to build up rather than to tear down.

II. Jesus can change a mom’s thoughts into something beautiful.

A. One type of thought that Jesus wants to free us from is found in vs. 26-27: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” We should recognize that not all anger is sin. It is possible to be angry and not sin. There are times when we should feel angry about evil or injustice that is done to us or to others. But anger can easily turn into sin. The wise thing to do with anger is to set a time limit on it. According to vs. 26 you are not to let the sun go down on your anger.

B. According to vs. 27, anger gives the devil an opportunity to destroy relationships and individuals. Anger is an acid that destroys its container. The wise mom will also follow the command of vs. 31 about anger. What beautiful thoughts does Jesus want to give moms? Thoughts of forgiveness. Look at what Paul writes in vs. 32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” When we forgive, we are acting as beautifully as Jesus acted.

III. Jesus can change a mom’s actions into something beautiful.

A. What is an ugly action that Jesus wants us to remove? “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may something to share with anyone in need.” What is the beautiful behavior God wants moms and the rest of us to do instead of stealing? Paul recommends the beauty of work in vs. 28. And the purpose of that work is to have something to share with anyone in need. Paul is saying, “Don’t be a thief. Don’t be a taker. Be a giver. Be generous.” I’m pretty sure that when most of you think about the beauty of your own mother, you think about how they were constantly giving to you. So, moms, do you want to be more beautiful? Instead of thinking about depriving others for your own good, think about how you can share with others for their good. That sharing, that generosity, that kind of sacrificial lifestyle, is beautiful.

Application:
Have faith in Christ to give you the power to live a beautiful life

Sources:
The letter to the Ephesians
Commentaries on Ephesians by Peter O’Brien, Bryan Chapell, and Richard Coekin , “The Art of Forgiving” by Lewis Smedes