JMD Devotional 256 Ephesians 5:1-4 What Spirit do You Have?

THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. But immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity [of lustful, rich, wasteful living] or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting and proper among saints (God's consecrated people). Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].

There is a story in Luke in which Jesus and His disciples were not welcomed by a Samaritan village because it was known that they were on their way to Jerusalem (a rival center of worship). How they react to this ‘bump in the road’ is telling.
Luke 9:54-56 (NIV) When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them, even as Elijah did?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them. And he said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of, for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." And they went to another village.

What manner of spirit do we have when we put others down? When we are negative and critical, insulting and off-color? Whose spirit is in control when we are bitter and sarcastic? How the world functions like a pack of wolves, seizing upon any weakness and asserting their status in the pecking order. Mankind follows suit by making sport of other’s physical imperfections and clumsiness and virtually any shortcoming. But none of this is born of God’s Holy Spirit!

Dear God,
Wiring my jaw shut would not be enough to solve my problem of sinful speech because it is in my heart. Please heal and forgive me for all of the critical, hateful, negative and insulting things I have said. Drive out those other ‘spirits’ and influences that are contrary to Your Holy Spirit. Rule me. May every impulse and inclination of my Spirit, Soul and Body be made subject to my Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to be a dispenser of grace, truth and righteousness; not the froward (stubbornly disobedient and contrary) fare of this world. May I be about building others up and speaking encouraging and healing things to their souls; knowing that all words are heard and are recorded in Heaven.
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
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Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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