Ephesians 4:25-28 (JDV)

Ephesians 4:25 For this reason, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.

Ephesians 4:26 Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger,

Ephesians 4:27 and don’t give the devil an opportunity.

Ephesians 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need.

guidelines for growing together

Paul’s threefold pattern for loving one’s neighbor—honest words, honest forgiveness, and honest work—offers a simple yet profoundly challenging framework for life within the Christian community. Each element reflects the character of God and the new humanity formed by the Sacred Breath. Together they create a relational environment where unity can flourish and where the care of Christ becomes visible.

Honest words form the foundation. Love cannot grow in an atmosphere of deception. Falsehood fractures trust, distorts relationships, and undermines the unity Christ purchased. Speaking truth does not mean harshness or insensitivity; it means refusing to manipulate, conceal, or mislead. Honest words honor the image of God in another person. They create clarity instead of confusion, stability instead of suspicion. When truth is spoken in love, relationships are strengthened, and the community becomes a place where trust can take root.

Honest forgiveness is the second pillar. Anger will arise in any community of real people, but staying angry—nursing resentment, replaying offenses, withholding reconciliation—gives the enemy a foothold. Honest forgiveness does not pretend that harm never occurred. It acknowledges the wound but refuses to let the wound define the relationship. It releases the desire for retaliation and entrusts justice to God. Forgiveness is not weakness; it is spiritual strength. It reflects the mercy Christ has shown and protects the heart from bitterness. A community shaped by forgiveness becomes a place where grace is practiced, not merely preached.

Honest work completes the triad. Work is not merely a means of personal provision; it is a channel for generosity. Paul envisions a community where labor results in the ability to give, support, and bless. Honest work rejects laziness, exploitation, and selfish gain. It transforms daily effort into an act of love. When believers use their skills, resources, and opportunities to meet the needs of others, the care of Christ becomes tangible. The community becomes a place where burdens are shared and no one is left alone in need.

When diligence is applied to these three practices, something remarkable happens. The community begins to grow toward one another instead of drifting apart. Trust deepens. Grace becomes habitual. Generosity becomes instinctive. The church becomes a living demonstration of Christ’s care—a place where the new humanity takes visible shape through truthful speech, forgiving hearts, and open hands.