praying effectively: Be Renewed (Eph.4:17-32)

(Ephesians 4:17-32)  So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we do not walk in the futility of mind as unbelievers do (4:17)

- that we gain understanding and embrace the light and life in Christ (4:18)

- that we lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted by the lusts of deceit (4:22)

- that we are renewed in the spirit of the mind (4:23)

- that we put on the new self, which is the likeness of God, and His righteousness and holiness of truth (4:24)

- that we stop lying (4:25)

- that we speak truth with our neighbors (4:25)

- that we are angry at injustices without sinning (4:26)

- that we reconcile with God and each other immediately (4:26)

- that we do not give the demons opportunity to influence us (4:27)

- that we stop stealing (4:28)

- that we find worthy jobs and tasks (4:28)

- that we work diligently so we will have enough to share with those in need (4:28)

- that we do not speak about anything unwholesome (4:29)

- that we speak applicable words of grace to edify others when it is needed (4:29)

- that we do not grieve the Holy Spirit (4:30)

- that we are not bitter, vengeful, contentious, slanderous or mean (4:31)

- that we are kind and tenderhearted toward one another (4:32)

- that we are forgiving, as Christ forgave us (4:32)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You being our righteousness, truth and light.  Thank You for not just telling us what NOT to do, but for - not only - giving us examples of what we should be doing - but allowing us to have You do all of that for us.  Help us as we seek to be obedient to Your will by being renewed in Your holiness, strength and wisdom.  Amen.