Dec. 11 - Ephesians 4:17-32

Will I ever be like God? If sin is so prevalent in my life, then can true righteousness and holiness ever become a part of my character? Sinful living is a part of the old self in the Christian. Deceitful desires should be easily, no willfully, willfully easy, to overcome. But is that me? Sometimes I think I can say that, but most other times I cant. Sin is so easy, resisting is not. I find myself at times reverting back to my old self. Why? Because I feel corrupted by deceitful desires. This should not be happening. Something is wrong. Being taught to do away with my old self but then bringing it back means I was taught incorrectly, insufficiently, or a combination of both. The correct way is to be made new in the attitudes of my mind. How do I do that? I need to live the true Christian life. I need to hunger for the Word. Hunger for prayer. I know these are the right things to do. More than that its what I desire. I need to be open, truthful, and loving with my fellow believers in Christ. Then comes the barrier of wholesome talk. "No unwholesome talk should come out of you." Noo! This part is so hard. Sometimes its clear cut, dry, and obvious, other times its just so ambiguous. But Paul says that wholesome talk is talk that only builds people up. Ahhhh. Now I get it. But thats still so hard. I love joking around with people, actually only guys. I have an awesome time joking around with my guy friends, but sometimes its dirty and rude. Its bad, I know. But yeah. A huge list can be made. But Paul ends with one central focus, one MAIN idea; love. Love love love love. Thats how my walk as a Christian becomes more beautiful day by day by day by day. Love. Love overcomes all evil. All wickedness. Love overcomes Me. Love will the engine of my resistance.