We’re continuing our journey through Ephesians 4, where Paul gives us a powerful message about what it means to live in the new life of Christ. This isn’t just a call to believe differently—it’s a call to live differently.

📖 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Paul is saying that when we come to Christ, we are changed—not just in theory, but in practice. We are to walk in a new way, reflecting the transformation that Jesus has done in our lives.

But here’s the challenge: Even though we have this new life, we are still susceptible to the enemy’s schemes.

There’s good news and bad news today:

✅ The Good News – We can live in victory through the power of the Holy Spirit.
❌ The Bad News – If we’re not on guard, the enemy will try to build strongholds in our lives.

Maybe today, you feel stuck. Maybe the old life keeps trying to resurface, holding you back from fully experiencing the freedom Jesus has given you. Maybe Satan has established a stronghold in your life, and it’s affecting not just you, but those around you—your family, your church, and your witness.

Paul gives us clear instructions in Ephesians 4:25-32 on how to live out this new life, reject the strongholds of the enemy, and walk in truth and victory.

Step 1: Speak the Truth – Live in Honesty

📖 “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25)

Paul makes it clear: Lying has no place in the life of a believer.

If we are in Christ, we must be known for truth—because Jesus Himself is the Truth.

🚫 No more falsehood.
🔥 No more deception.
✅ Live in honesty.

You know what’s dangerous? Believing a lie for so long that it begins to feel like the truth.

As followers of Christ, we are called to renounce falsehood and walk in truth. Why? Because we are members of one another—we are one body in Christ. Lying doesn’t just affect us; it hurts the church, damages relationships, and gives Satan a foothold.

📖 “Whenever we speak the truth, the Holy Spirit goes to work. But when we tell a lie, Satan goes to work.” – Warren Wiersbe

Which one do you want working in your life?

If we want to walk in freedom, we must reject dishonesty and embrace truth.

Step 2: Let Go of Anger

📖 “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Anger is one of the enemy’s favorite weapons to create strongholds in our lives.

💣 Anger, if left unresolved, will fester.
💣 Anger turns into bitterness.
💣 Anger gives Satan a foothold in your life.

If we don’t deal with our anger quickly, it will deal with us.

📖 “The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20)

Does this mean we can never be angry? No! Even Jesus displayed righteous anger (John 2:13-17, Mark 3:5). But human anger is often fueled by selfishness, pride, and sin—not by righteousness.

Paul gives us a clear command:

✅ Be angry, but don’t sin.
✅ Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.
✅ Don’t give the devil an opportunity.

Unresolved anger destroys marriages, friendships, churches, and faith.

🔹 Do you have unresolved anger toward someone?
🔹 Are you holding onto bitterness?
🔹 Are you allowing the enemy to use your anger to divide and destroy?

Deal with it today. Don’t let another day go by without addressing it.

Step 3: Put Off the Old Life – Walk in Righteousness

📖 “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28)

Paul is saying that a changed life means changed actions.

🔄 The thief must stop stealing.
🔄 The liar must start speaking truth.
🔄 The angry person must seek peace.

The old life is gone—it has no place in the life of a believer.

We’re not just saved from sin, we’re saved for righteousness.

Step 4: Watch Your Words – Speak Life

📖 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)

Words are powerful.

⚡ They can build up or tear down.
⚡ They can encourage or destroy.
⚡ They can give grace or spread poison.

Are your words filled with:

❌ Gossip?
❌ Negativity?
❌ Criticism?

Or are your words:

✅ Encouraging?
✅ Full of grace?
✅ Uplifting?

If we want to live the new life in Christ, we must use our words to edify, not destroy.

Step 5: Don’t Grieve the Holy Spirit

📖 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

Did you know that when we live in sin—when we hold onto bitterness, anger, or dishonesty—it grieves the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit isn’t just a force—He’s a person who feels, leads, and empowers.

🔹 When we reject truth, we grieve Him.
🔹 When we live in anger, we grieve Him.
🔹 When we give the enemy a foothold, we grieve Him.

But when we live in righteousness, the Holy Spirit is free to work powerfully in our lives.

Final Step: Walk in Love and Forgiveness

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

Ultimately, living the new life means living in love and forgiveness.

🚀 Forgive as Christ forgave you.
🔥 Love as Christ loves you.
💡 Walk as Christ walked.

What’s holding you back from fully living in your new life in Christ?

🛑 Is there a lie you need to renounce?
⚡ Is there anger you need to let go of?
🙏 Is there forgiveness you need to extend?

👉 It’s time to walk in freedom.

Let’s take off the grave clothes and put on the grace clothes.

Because in Christ, we are NEW.