Ephesians 4:17-32
Living as Children of Light
With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
“Don’t Paint Over Rot — Let God Rebuild You”
Have you ever stood before a beautiful old house — its white weatherboards gleaming under a fresh coat of paint — only to realize, up close, that the wood beneath is rotting? You can paint over the decay, but eventually, it shows through.
That’s the image Pastor Ross shared in his message from Ephesians 4:17–32, reminding us that the Christian life isn’t about putting a spiritual gloss over old habits. It’s not a renovation — it’s a complete rebuild from the inside out.
The Life You Gave Up
Paul’s words to the Ephesians are both sobering and freeing. He writes, “You must no longer live as the Gentiles do… they are hopelessly confused, their minds full of darkness.”
He’s describing life without Christ — a life driven by self, dulled by sin, and disconnected from God. For the believers in ancient Ephesus, that world was all around them — a city of idols, moral confusion, and spiritual compromise. Sound familiar?
Today, our “temples” might not be made of stone, but the same heart issues remain: pride, lust, greed, and self-justification. The apostle’s challenge echoes through time: “That isn’t what you learned about Christ.”
When Jesus enters our lives, we don’t just make a few tweaks. He doesn’t come to decorate our old house — He moves in, tears it down, and builds something new.
The Spirit’s Renovation
Paul says, “Throw off your old sinful nature… and put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy.”
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about process. Each day, we’re invited to participate with the Holy Spirit in the ongoing work of renewal — letting Him rewire our thoughts, reshape our attitudes, and rebuild our character.
The Spirit doesn’t just sand down the rough edges of your life. He digs into the foundation — into the motives, habits, and hidden places — and starts fresh. That’s uncomfortable work. But it’s holy work.
If you’ve ever tried to “paint over” sin — pretending everything’s fine while bitterness, anger, or dishonesty sit beneath the surface — you know how exhausting that is. The rot always resurfaces.
God’s invitation is simple: stop painting. Let Him rebuild.
What the New Life Looks Like
Ross highlighted seven ways Paul describes this new, Spirit-filled life — and each one paints a portrait of Jesus Himself:
Speak truthfully — because Christ is the Truth.
Manage anger — because love is patient and self-controlled.
Give generously — because God gave everything for us.
Use words that build up — because grace heals and strengthens.
Live kindly and tenderly — because Christ’s compassion defines us.
Forgive freely — because we have been forgiven completely.
Be renewed daily — because the Spirit never stops transforming hearts.
It’s a radical shift — from self-serving to Spirit-serving, from darkness to light.
Standing Out in a Blurry World
Ross used another image — a family photo that turned out blurry. The people in it could be anyone. The details are lost.
Sometimes the church can look like that — a blurred mix of values, voices, and lives that blend into the culture around us. But Paul reminds us that Christians aren’t meant to blend in; we’re meant to stand out.
When our lives are renewed by the Spirit, they come into focus. In a world of compromise, kindness stands out. In a culture of outrage, forgiveness stands out. In an economy of greed, generosity stands out.
You can’t mistake a life transformed by Jesus — it’s high-definition holiness.
A Final Word
“What God needs most today,” Ross said, “is for Christians to live as Christians.”
That might sound obvious, but it’s profound. The world doesn’t need louder Christians, trendier Christians, or angrier Christians — it needs truer ones. People who embody the new life of Christ, not just talk about it.
So if you feel God tugging on your heart this week, don’t reach for another coat of paint. Hand Him the hammer. Invite Him to rebuild.
Because when Jesus rebuilds, He doesn’t just fix what’s broken — He makes it brand new.