For the past several weeks, we have been walking through Ephesians 4, where Paul calls us to break free from our old selves and live in the new life Christ has given us. This is not just about changing our beliefs—it’s about a complete transformation of our hearts, minds, and actions.

Today, we come to the final message in this mini-series within a series, where Paul gives us some of the hardest but most necessary commands for the Christian life.

If we are going to fully live as new creations in Christ, then we must:
✅ Remove the unchristian vices that poison our hearts.
✅ Replace them with the virtues of kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness.
✅ Walk in the freedom that only comes from a heart surrendered to God.

Let’s dive in.

1. Excise the Poisons of the Old Life

📖 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31)

Paul doesn’t mince words here. He tells us there are six destructive attitudes that we must remove from our lives if we are going to live as followers of Jesus:

❌ Bitterness – A deep-seated resentment that poisons the soul and refuses to let go of past hurts.
❌ Wrath – Explosive, uncontrolled rage that leaves damage in its wake.
❌ Anger – A slow-burning hostility that simmers beneath the surface, waiting to boil over.
❌ Clamor – Loud, argumentative outbursts of frustration and conflict.
❌ Slander – Speaking negatively about others with the intent to tear them down.
❌ Malice – A deep-rooted desire for harm or revenge.

Each of these emotions and behaviors feeds off the other.

👉 Bitterness turns into anger.
👉 Anger fuels wrath.
👉 Wrath leads to slander.
👉 Slander turns into malice.

If left unchecked, these things will consume our hearts, destroy our relationships, and rob us of peace.

💡 Paul is clear: We cannot tolerate these attitudes—we must get rid of them completely.

📖 “No root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” (Hebrews 12:15)

💬 Are you holding onto bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness? What is it costing you?

2. Replace Bitterness with Kindness and Forgiveness

📖 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Instead of holding onto bitterness, Paul tells us to replace it with three virtues:

✅ Kindness – Responding to others with grace and compassion, even when it’s difficult.
✅ Tenderheartedness – Feeling deep empathy and concern for the struggles of others.
✅ Forgiveness – Choosing to release resentment and extend grace, just as Christ has forgiven us.

Forgiveness is not optional for believers—it is a command.

💡 Why must we forgive?

Because God forgave us first.

📖 “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:13)

When we truly understand how much we have been forgiven, we have no choice but to extend that same forgiveness to others.

🚀 Forgiveness is not about excusing the offense—it’s about setting your heart free.

3. The Danger of Unforgiveness

Unforgiveness is one of Satan’s most effective weapons.

When we refuse to forgive:
❌ We hold onto pain and relive the offense over and over again.
❌ We give the enemy a foothold in our lives.
❌ We become prisoners to our own resentment.

📖 “Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”

Paul tells us to put away bitterness because he knows it will destroy us.

Forgiveness does not mean:
❌ That what happened was okay.
❌ That justice doesn’t matter.
❌ That trust is immediately restored.

Forgiveness means:
✅ You release the burden to God.
✅ You refuse to let the past control your present.
✅ You choose freedom over bondage.

🔥 Who do you need to forgive today?

4. The Example of Christ’s Forgiveness

The greatest example of forgiveness is Jesus Himself.

📖 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)

Jesus didn’t wait for us to deserve forgiveness—He gave it freely.

On the cross, He prayed for those who crucified Him:
📖 “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

🚀 If Jesus can forgive those who put Him on the cross, how can we withhold forgiveness from others?

5. How to Walk in Forgiveness Daily

Forgiveness is not a one-time event—it’s a daily choice.

🔹 Pray for those who hurt you.
🔹 Release resentment to God.
🔹 Refuse to let past wounds define your future.
🔹 Remember how much Christ has forgiven you.

📖 “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)

When we choose forgiveness, we choose freedom.

Final Thought: It’s Time to Break Free

Paul’s message in Ephesians 4:31-32 is clear:

🚀 You cannot live in the new life Christ has given you while still clinging to the old life of bitterness, anger, and resentment.

✅ It’s time to put away the old vices.
✅ It’s time to embrace kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness.
✅ It’s time to live in the freedom Christ died to give you.

💬 Are you ready to let go of bitterness and walk in freedom?

Because in Christ, you are free.

And it’s time to start living like it. 🙌