Ephesians 4:25-29

Changes in the New Man

The old man would not hesitate to lie if it would help him fill one of his uncontrolled desires. The new man always tells the truth, especially to his brethren because we are all members of the same body (4:25; Colossians 3:9-11). The old man would allow anger to run wild and the devil to gain control of him. The new man gets angry but keeps it under control so that he does not involve himself in sin. A means of doing that is not allowing anger to remain in us past the end of one day. Resentments tend to build and fester into a putrefying sore. The devil is an enemy to every Christian. He must not be allowed to have a toehold in our lives through anger harbored in the heart (4:26-27; Colossians 3:8).

The old man would steal to acquire wealth and the things his heart desired. The new man would work to earn money to purchase the things necessary to provide for his own needs. Additionally, he would use what God gave him to help those in need. In other words, a Christian will work so others can benefit from his prosperity (4:28).

The old man would tell suggestive stories and allow foul language to be an integral part of his vocabulary. The new man uses his speech to teach saint and sinner alike the ways of the Lord. Those who will heed his instructions will thus have access to God's glorious grace (4:29; Colossians 3:8; Colossians 4:6; Matthew 12:36-37).