We looked at some negatives in the Mature Christian

Walk not as the Gentiles
Let not the sun go down upon your wrath
Let him that stole steal no more
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth
Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God

Let´t look now at some positives from the same text

In Ephesians 4:23  "Be renewed in the Spirit of your mind."
Notice the proceeding Ephesians 4:22
We put off the old man.
We put off the works of the flesh Galatians 5:19-21

We need to reprogram our minds dump the junk and replace with good stuff

read  Romans 12:2
Our minds need renewing every day.

Put on the New Man

The Christian has two natures
He has the old nature that never improves as long as he lives.
The other is he has the Holy Spirit residing in him, which places unlimited power at his disposal for victory.
He has actually become a partaker of divine nature where Christ is able to live through his body. Galatians 2:20
He has the power that raised Christ from the dead.

Talk about a six million dollar man!

Labor so that you can give to those in need.  Ephesians 4:28

No this is a new concept to working!

Why do you work?

To make a living?
To prepare for retirement?
To leave a fortune for your kids?
To make investments?

This scripture says we are to work to give to those in need.

The Bible does teach that it is better to give than to receive!

Be kind one to another   Ephesians 4:32

If you are not very kind, you are not very Spiritual.

A kindness that results in being tender to the needs of others
A kindness that makes it easy to forgive
A kindness that demonstrates the love of Christ to others

As we finish this series on Christian Maturity, I want to ask you now?

Are you different?
Are you mature?
Are you ready for responsibility?

I desire that we be effective in our Christian Service as the Lord lives through us.

Bible Studies Home

Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ.
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus.
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not, let not the sun go down upon your wrath.
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ´s sake hath forgiven you.
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Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.
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Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.
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Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
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Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ´s sake hath forgiven you.
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Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
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Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness.
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

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Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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Last updated on September 15, 2005