SINGING OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE THAT VOICE TO SING

I can’t sing, but one of my favorite songs is Cece Winans’ song Goodness of God. But how do you sing of the Goodness of God when you can’t sing?

We are continuing our study of the Book of Ephesians. Paul wrote Ephesians as a letter to the churches in Ephesus. The Ephesians were Gentiles, non-Jews who had accepted Christ.  

This week we resume our study of Ephesians 4. Here Paul continues his theme of unity. Looking beyond unity between the Jews and the Gentiles, he points out that unity can only be accomplished when we experience the ultimate total makeover.

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Let Us Inviting God’s Presence:  

God Most High, we love you, Lord. Give us that ultimate total makeover, and help us to sing of your Goodness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Even if you can’t sing as beautifully as Cece Winans, you can still use your voice and your speech to sing of the Goodness of God. How do you do that? When you speak using kind, encouraging, and uplifting words, you are singing of the goodness of God. Therefore, we avoid saying things that are abusive and hurtful.

Kind words season with grace and love is much like singing. You sing with your words by sharing the beautiful things about God.

When we speak in a way that brings joy and comfort to those we are talking to, we are singing of the goodness of God. So, even if you can’t sing like Cece Winan, you can still “sing” of the Goodness of God in a way that spreads His goodness to others.

This is the counsel Paul gives in Ephesians 4:25-32.

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

27 nor give place to the devil.

28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:25-32)

Paul’s counsel in Ephesians 4:25-32 teaches us what to say and how to say it. Paul advises against lying. His rationale is that we should always seek to tell the truth.

Singing of God’s goodness means we avoid lying. We share the truth of the Bible as written in God’s word. This is best manifested in how we treat others. 

Notice what it says in Gospel Workers:

[Jesus] is our example, not only in His spotless purity but in His patience, gentleness, and innocence of disposition. His life is an illustration of true courtesy. He had ever a kind look and a word of comfort for the needy and the oppressed. . . . As He saw men weary, and compelled to bear heavy burdens, He shared their burdens, and repeated to them the lessons He had learned from nature, of the love, the kindness, the goodness of God. (Gospels Workers, p. 121)

When we speak the truth, it does not mean it’s okay for us to be mean and nasty when showing honesty.  In honesty, we must learn to season our words with love, gentleness, and kindness. We must have love in our hearts when we share the truth.

Paul points out that as Christians, we are members of one body. Using as a reference point Zechariah 8:16, he counsels that our word should create unity, not divisions.

Zechariah 8:16 says:

16 These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; (Zechariah 8:16)

So, in Ephesians 4:31, Paul tells us we should not use angry speech, which includes profanity or bad words. We should not, as Christians who are responsible for singing of the goodness of God, respond to people using harsh and angry language.

It is important to know that Paul in Ephesians 4:26 isn’t giving us the freedom to get angry at our brothers and sisters when he says:

26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, (Ephesians 4:26) 

Paul does, however, acknowledge that we as humans, will feel angry at times. But it does not negate that when we feel angry that we explode with unkind words, actions, and expressions. This is why he says, be angry and sin not.

We must not let the anger we feel become angry words that hurt people and lead to “full-blown sin.” If all would put this into practice, how much better would things be regarding personal relationships in the family, the home, the workplace, the church, and the community? 

Interestingly, In the middle of his advice about the words we say, Paul makes a switch. He switches to talking about stealing.

He says, in Ephesians 4:28, “Whoever has been stealing must stop it and start working. They must use their hands for doing something good. Then they will have something to share with those who are poor” (Ephesians 4:28 ERV)

He also makes an important point about work in 1 Corinthians 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 4:11

I Corinthians 4:12

12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; (I Corinthians 4:12)

I Thessalonians 4:11

11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, (I Thessalonians 4:11)

What does Paul’s point about speaking lies have to do with those who are thieves?

Perhaps Paul wants us to understand the connection between stealing and lying. Read the story about Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1–11 to see the relationship between lying and stealing.

Furthermore, this shows that Paul’s faith in Jesus is so strong that he believes God can change selfish hearts to caring hearts.

In other words, Paul believes that thieves can receive the total ultimate makeover in which God turns thieves into givers!

Then in Ephesians 4:29, Paul returns to his message on speech, saying let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth” (Eph. 4:29, NKJV).

Paul wants us to know how crucial it is for us to stop our evil speaking. His advice is that not only should we stop evil speaking but replace bad words with good, pure, kind, loving, and gentle words.

Recognizing how damaging words can be, Paul explains in Ephesians 4:29 the outcome of positive expression. He offers three measures to help us determine the effectiveness of our words.

Therefore, when we sing of the goodness of God: (1) Our words build people up, not tear them down. (2) We must, with gentleness, kindness, and love, speak the truth and not just say what we think a person wants to hear. (3) Our words must improve people’s lives, not tear them down or cause them harm.

It says in the Book Gospel Workers:

“A kind, courteous Christian is the most powerful argument that can be produced in favor of Christianity” (Gospel Workers, p. 122).

Many have been in the habit of speaking what comes to their minds without consideration of its effect on the person they are speaking to. How do we make certain we consider the other person when we are speaking? Continue to Part 5: The Holy Spirit in the Believers Life

Ephesians

(Lesson 8)

Christ-Shaped Lives and Spirit-Inspired Speech

Part 5: The Holy Spirit in the Believer’s Life

Paul warns us to be careful about what we say and how we say it. In this warning, he also offers some admonitions about the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 4:30.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)

In conjunction with this warning, Paul offers a promise. This tells us that our sins against each other aren’t minor in the sight of God. He is saying that how we speak is not without little to no consequences. In fact, how we treat and speak to one another can grieve the Holy Spirit.

The gift of speech is something that God gives. We, therefore, grieve or pain the Holy Spirit when we say mean, nasty and ugly things to and about one another. Look again at what it says in Ephesians 4:25–27, 29, 31, 32.

Paul’s warning in these verses is much the same as Isaiah’s warning in Isaiah 63:10 when he says:

10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them. (Isaiah 63:10, NKJV).

Paul interjects that the Holy Spirit seals those who accept Christ as Lord with a special mark, though not a literal mark; according to Ephesians 1:13 and 14, it shows that we belong to God.

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

As long as we abide in Christ and Christ abides in us, this seal provides proof of our relationship with Him. It is the mark that keeps of safe until Christ returns, according to Ephesians 4:30.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)

So, we must not ignore the Holy Spirit and his indwelling power. We must not do and say things that are offensive to Him that would cause him not to remain in us. 

This is what Paul is warning us against. When we abuse the gift of speech and use our tongues to hurt people with our words, we grieve the Holy Spirit.  

In this, Paul helps us understand that the Holy Spirit is a Person with feelings; he is fully divine. The Spirit feels and is grieved when we use our speech in a way that causes harm to others. 

You can read more about the Spirit, His divinity, and His work on our behalf in the following scriptures: Romans 8:16, 26, 27; 1 Corinthians 2:10 and 13; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Galatians 5:17 and 18.

The Biblical Research Institute offers a warning regarding the mystery of the Godhead. We are reminded that we must be careful when we talk about the Three-in-One God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It says:

“The Spirit is One with the Father or in agreement with Him. At the same time, the Spirit is a separate Person from the Father and from the Son.

“The Spirit has His own will and chooses accordingly. He can be grieved and blasphemed against. Such expressions are not fit for a mere power or influence but are characteristics of a person. Is the Spirit then a person just like you and me? No, we use limited human terminology to describe the divine, and the Spirit is what human beings can never be.”—Paul Petersen, God in 3 Persons—In the New Testament (Silver Spring, MD: Biblical Research Institute, 2015), p. 20.

“The Holy Spirit” lives in an intimate relationship with us. His contact is so intimate that what we say and do affects Him. In other words, we share life with a member of the Godhead. He is committed to us in such a way that He seals us until the end of time. Thus, Through His power, we can sing of the goodness of God.

In addition to what we say, Paul warns that we must discard feelings and behavior that affect our speech. What attitudes and behaviors related to speech should we abandon, considering the time in which we are living? Reread Ephesians 4:17-32, then continue to Part 6: Kindness (Not Bitterness)

Ephesians

(Lesson 8)

Christ-Shaped Lives and Spirit-Inspired Speech

Part 6: Kindness (Not Bitterness)

Jesus is coming back soon! In referring to the day of redemption in Ephesians 4:30, Paul invites us to consider the use of our speech in the context of Christ’s coming.

What should we stop doing to be ready when Jesus returns? What feelings and behaviors do we need to let go of and put off? What words do we need to stop using? What feelings and behaviors should we have? What should our attitudes and behavior be toward one another? Let’s look at Ephesians 4:31 and 32 to help us in this.

31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

In Ephesians 4:17–32, Paul tells us about six things we must put away. He tells us in Ephesians 4:31 that we should put away 1) bitterness, 2) wrath, that is extreme rage; 3) anger; 4) clamor, which is shouting or yelling; 5) evil speaking; and 6) all malice meaning hatred or meanness.

In Ephesians 4:32, Paul admonishes us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, compassionate, and forgiving.

But Paul does not stop there. He goes on to tell us the reason why we must be forgiving. We must forgive each other; why? Because in Christ, God forgave us.

So, Paul says, we should “Never be bitter, we should avoid being angry, or mad. We should Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. And we should never do anything evil” (Ephesians 4:31, ERV).

When you think about this list in Ephesians 4:17–32, you can see why we must put off anger because angry feelings can cause us to say angry words and do evil deeds.

Thus, Paul’s admonition to us is to stop using words as our arsenal of weapons. In other words, as Christians, we must put aside bad feelings that cause us to use angry words. When we follow Paul’s advice, we sing of God’s Goodness.

 As the people of God, members of His Church, His body, and His family, we must be united in Christ. This happens only when the members of God’s church lay aside, the arsenals of Satan. When we lay aside the arsenal of Satan, the Church of God will grow.

Here is what it says in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5

“The harmony and unity of the church are the credentials that they present to the world that Jesus is the Son of God. Genuine conversion will ever lead to genuine love for Jesus and for all those for whom He died”.—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 278, 279. (Split)

Remember, suppression of evil speech does not eliminate angry feelings. Acting or pretending as if those feelings aren’t there is not the solution. Then, how do we get rid of bitterness, anger, and evil speaking?

We must let God remove our feelings, resentment, and anger. What we say and do is not to grow out of anger but be motivated by love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.

Our willingness to put aside anger, bitterness, and evil speaking and instead administer forgiveness should be based on the highest standard of all, the forgiveness God has extended to us in Christ.

Then we must let Jesus fill our hearts with love. We must ask Him to help us to say only loving words, kind words. We must not let anger control what we say or do. Notice what it says in the following scriptures about forgiveness.

Colossians 3:13

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (Split)

Matthew 6:12

12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. (Matthew 6:12)

Matthew 6:14-15

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)

So, the forgiveness God offers us is why we must forgive each other.

Our words have power for good or for bad. When we use them for bad, we are promoting Satan’s camp. When we use our words for good, we are promoting God’s camp. We proclaim God’s goodness to others. When we do this, we sing of the goodness of God. Now that’s the Ultimate Make Over!

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