Daily Devotional in Ephesians 4: Your Testimony

Daily Devotion in Ephesians 4

Daily Nugget:
One of the most valuable assets a Christian can have is his testimony. What others think of a believer is often what they see him do, how he reacts in certain situations, and how they believe a Christian should live (although their view may not always be accurate). Paul gave some advice on how to preserve one’s testimony (Ephesians 4:4). Some of the preacher’s advice included:

Do not live like the rest of the world and put the wrong value on things that are not that important (Ephesians 4:17-18).
Do not lust after things of this world and be consumed by greed for them (Ephesians 4:19).
Do not let your conversation with others be about lust for this world’s things (Ephesians 4:22).
Live a righteous life and strive to be a good example (Ephesians 4:24).
Let your conversation be honest and do not lie (Ephesians 4:25).
If you get angry, get it right with those involved before the sun goes down (Ephesians 4:26).
Do not get close to sin and allow the devil to destroy your testimony (Ephesians 4:27).
Do not steal, but work hard for what you want (Ephesians 4:28).
Be careful of your words, making sure what you say helps others (Ephesians 4:29).
Do not sadden the indwelling Holy Spirit by sinning (Ephesians 4:30).
Do not allow the sins of bitterness, violence, anger, and evil speaking to be part of your life (Ephesians 4:31).
Be kind to others (Ephesians 4:32).

As hard as we try, there will always be some who see our example as being wrong. No matter how we adhere to the above advice and other godly principles, some will not be pleased with our actions.

Although it is impossible to please all the people all the time, we have a responsibility to have the best testimony we can. Our example is not about what others think about us, but what others learn and believe about Christ from our example.

We are often all the unsaved will ever see about Christ. Will they determine they do not want to be a Christian because of what they observed in our behavior, or will they consider being one because of how we live our lives?

Today’s Thought:
“Your walk talks louder than your talk talks.” — Author Unknown

Words to Understand:
Clamour: a continuous, loud outcry; showing not satisfied over a situation

Today’s Reading:
Ephesians 4
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
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.