## Negatives in Maturity

## Ephesians 4:17-32

After the new birth, spiritual growth is both natural and expected. As we mature we should take on the responsibilities of a believer, which will bring satisfaction. Irresponsibility may sound like freedom, but in reality it only yields emptiness in our lives. It is accomplishment that brings real satisfaction to us in life and in our Christianity.

Last week we discussed some of the indications of the measure of maturity in the life of a believer. I want to continue with that theme tonight and talk about some of the negatives of maturity. Some folks don't like to talk about negatives, but they are necessary to the process of becoming spiritually mature.

I. Walk Not as Other Gentiles Walk v17?25

A. Paul is really saying: "Don't walk like you used to walk!"

B. He reminds them of how it used to be!

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

C. It would do all of us good to be reminded of this as well.

D. Paul includes himself in v3

Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

E. Paul reminds the believers in Ephesus to give attention to their walk.

1. Don't walk like this world v17-18

a. In the vanity of the mind

b. Having their understanding darkened

c. Having blind hearts

d. Giving themselves to lasciviousness

e. Working uncleanness with greediness

2. Don't walk after the power and influence of Satan

3. Don't walk according to the lusts of the flesh (if it pleases me…if it feels good…etc)

4. Don't walk like lost people… why?

F. There is supposed to be a difference in our lives when we come to Christ.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

II. Let Not the Sun Go Down Upon Your Wrath v26

A. Never let a day end being angry

1. Some people live with continual anger

a. Anger gets things for them and moves others

b. Tantrums unless they get their way

c. Sulking, sobbing, silence

2. But that is not for the child of God.

a. We are never to let a day end with anger

b. Some sad situations between husbands and wives

c. Thunder and lightning each night

B. How does the mature believer deal with anger?

1. Like any other sin…

2. We confess, repent, and are forgiven.

3. Some mistakenly excuse anger, along with other sinful behavior, by saying…

4. "Well, that is just the way I am" as if that somehow makes it alright to behave in such a manner.

5. Would we accept that excuse for adultery or for murder? NO!

III. Let Him That Stole Steal No More v28

A. What a strange command.

1. You would think this would be understood.

2. But remember, spiritually immature believers will push the envelope just as children do.

3. While at BBC, a girl was expelled for stealing from her roommate.

4. Her excuse, 'I had been praying for God to supply my need, and there it was on my roommate's dresser!'

B. This is a call to honesty and integrity.

1. We shouldn't steal from others…whether it is our employers or the government.

2. We shouldn't steal from God.

Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

3. Believers who don't give; or those who don't give from their heart, are robbing God…and more specifically they are hindering His blessings from being poured out upon them.

Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

IV. Let No Corrupt Communication Proceed Out Of Your Mouth v29

A. Jesus told us we are accountable for every idle (useless) word!

Mt 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

1. That puts what we say in a whole new light doesn't it?

2. God created us with the ability to communicate with one another, and with Him.

3. To use that gift carelessly or recklessly is shameful!

4. 'Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?'

5. 'Do you praise God with that mouth?'

Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

B. What is corrupt communication?

1. 'Corrupt' = rotten or worthless

2. From the context we can see that it is any speech that tears down or destroys.

3. Critical, harsh, hateful, thoughtless speech is corrupt.

Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

V. Grieve Not The Holy Spirit Of God v30-32

A. The Holy Spirit indwells the believer.

1. He indwells us at the moment of conversion.

2. Our bodies become His temple…His abode.

3. He moves in when we are babes in Christ, and His ministry is to guide us into maturity.

4. When we say and do things that are contrary to His leading, He is grieved.

B. Again we look at the context for explanation.

1. When we fail to 'put away' immature and sinful behavior.

a. Bitterness

b. Anger and wrath

c. Unkind behavior

d. Unforgiving attitude

2. The basis for putting these away…because God put away our sin from us.

These five negative commands are given to us tonight to bring us to spiritual maturity. Failure to obey the Word of God in these areas is a clear indication of our own immaturity. As we consider our lives before the Lord tonight, if we recognize that these are areas of failure in our lives, we need to confess them before God.

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Whatever the need tonight, come now and meet with God. Let's not grieve the Spirit of God this evening.