17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
As a believer, you should not go back to old ways of living. If you were to harden your hearts, your understanding and knowledge of God will diminish. In the end your ignorance will distance you from living the life of God. If you continually sin, your sensitivity to sin will become numb. So, why should you strive for sinless life? It's because the life of God satisfies whereas the life of sin thirsts.
20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
If you continually live in sin, you can not know Jesus Christ (i.e. God). If you were taught in Christ through the truth of the word of God, at first you will change your life style and that will cause your attitude of minds to be renewed. Moreover, you will have a new self, which was initially created by God to be holy and righteous.
25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Do not speak untruthfully to brothers and sisters in Christ since we are all members of one body which is church. If you dwell in your anger over a day, you may fall prey to sin. If you steal you must stop stealing and put your hands to a good use otherwise you may fall prey to sin
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Unwholesome talk is not edifying to the body (believers in church). Thus, we should choose our words carefully so that it does meet the needs of the body and it does benefit those who listen. When we were a prisoner of sin, God redeemed us. If we were to abandon our sinful ways (if we decide to come out of the cage of sin) and respect the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you), it will please the Holy Spirit of God.
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