Our Commitment to Godly Dealings with Others Part 2 (Ephesians 4:29-32)
Theme: “God cares about our behavior toward others, so we must put off gossip, malice, and anger.”
“We further covenant to maintain family and secret devotion; to teach the Bible to our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to live carefully in this present world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all gossiping, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from everything that will cause our brother to stumble or that will bring reproach upon the cause of Christ.”
I. Put off Gossiping (Leviticus 19:16-18)
A. The Love in Reproof (Matthew 18:15; Psalm 141:5; Proverbs 27:6)
B. The Hatred in Gossip (Proverbs 17:9; Galatians 6:1-2)
II. Put off Backbiting
III. Put off Excessive Anger (Ephesians 4:26)
A. Unrighteous Anger
1. Bitterness
2. Wrath and Anger
3. Clamor
4. Slander
5. Malice
B. Righteous Anger
1. It is controlled (Galatians 5:22-23; Proverbs 25:28; Proverbs 16:32)
2. It is sensible (2 Timothy 1:7)
3. It is selfless (Romans 12:18-21; 1 Peter 2:23)
4. It offers mercy (Isaiah 54:7-8; Ezekiel 33:11)