Did You Throw Out The Rubbish (Eph 4:31)
Speaker: Rev Quek Suan Yew
Date: 01 Nov 2020

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Sermon notes taken by:

Mrs Sara Wong

Our homes are a reflection of who we really are. As children of God, we have been sanctified and cleansed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and thus we are clean inside. Unbelievers do not even know that they are unclean. As children of God, we have to learn to throw out “the rubbish” in our lives.

The verb “put away” (Eph 4:31) means to lift up and throw/chuck away. The list of sins in Ephesians 4:31 must not be found in a believer. As a new man in Christ, believers are to throw out this list of sins from their lives.

First on the list is bitterness. It takes time for one to become bitter. It begins with resentment (against another’s words, actions, etc) which accumulates over time. A list of faults/wrongdoings is kept as one does not wish to confront the person but at the same time refuses to forgive as one’s pride is hurt. Resentment grows to become bitterness which eats into one like a canker/cancer.

One solution is to clarify immediately and not let resentment build up or bitterness to result. Another is to choose to forgive and to learn to live with the non-consequential (not sinful) words or actions; without keeping any list of faults.

Bitterness, when allowed to result, in turn leads to wrath (breathing hard), which will turn to anger (a violent passion leading to accusations and condemnation). By then, apologies will not work. And anger will turn to clamour (an uncontrollable outburst to hurt the other). The final result is evil speaking (blasphemy, “famous” rumour) where one wants as many people as possible to know the “faults” of the other, in order to destroy the person’s relationships with others, and also his reputation. Evil speaking sows discord (Prov 6:19) which God hates.

Our Lord teaches that forgiving others is a very clear yardstick of one who has received forgiveness from Christ (Matt 18:22-35). The only way to throw out this list (in Eph 4:31) is not to let bitterness begin in our heart. When disappointments come, either clarify with the person or forgive and forget. Keeping a list is a sign of bitterness. Get rid of it, even when it is righteous anger (Eph 4:26b). We are a new man in Christ, the love of God constrains us, and we have the mind of Christ in us. Being hurt is not a reason for resentment or bitterness. Do not let it grow, for Jesus’ sake. Then, you will not have malice (anything that is evil and bad). Your body is the temple of the living God. This list of rubbish (in Eph 4:31) has no place in you, the temple of God. Throw out the rubbish when it is still small!



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