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Ephesians 4:7-32 (CEV)

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⁷ Christ has generously divided out his gifts to us. ⁸ As the Scriptures say, "When he went up to the highest place, he led away many prisoners and gave gifts to people." ⁹ When it says, "he went up," it means that Christ had been deep in the earth. ¹⁰ This also means that the one who went deep into the earth is the same one who went into the highest heaven, so that he would fill the whole universe. ¹¹ Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, ¹² so that his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. ¹³ This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him. ¹⁴ We must stop acting like children. We must not let deceitful people trick us by their false teachings, which are like winds that toss us around from place to place. ¹⁵ Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head ¹⁶ of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love. ¹⁷ As a follower of the Lord, I order you to stop living like stupid, godless people. ¹⁸ Their minds are in the dark, and they are stubborn and ignorant and have missed out on the life that comes from God. They no longer have any feelings about what is right, ¹⁹ and they are so greedy that they do all kinds of indecent things. ²⁰ But that isn't what you were taught about Jesus Christ. He is the truth, and you heard about him and learned about him. ²¹ (SEE 4:20) ²² You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits. ²³ Let the Spirit change your way of thinking ²⁴ and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please him and be truly holy. ²⁵ We are part of the same body. Stop lying and start telling each other the truth. ²⁶ Don't get so angry that you sin. Don't go to bed angry ²⁷ and don't give the devil a chance. ²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Be honest and work hard, so you will have something to give to people in need. ²⁹ Stop all your dirty talk. Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say. ³⁰ Don't make God's Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins. ³¹ Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. ³² Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.


This passage relates to the following topic(s):
(v. 11) Leadership - God gave some the gift of leadership
(v. 11) Growth / Maturity - God has given each other to help us mature
(v. 12) Leadership - God gave some the gift of leadership
(v. 12) Growth / Maturity - God has given each other to help us mature
(v. 13) Growth / Maturity - God has given each other to help us mature
(v. 14) Growth / Maturity - God has given each other to help us mature
(v. 15) Unity - Together to grow and build each other up in love
(v. 15) Discipling / Correction - Speaking the truth in love and build each other up
(v. 16) Discipling / Correction - Speaking the truth in love and build each other up
(v. 16) Unity - Together to grow and build each other up in love
(v. 17) Discipling / Correction - Speaking the truth in love and build each other up
(v. 18) Word of God / Teaching / Knowledge - Ignorance comes from the hardening of our hearts
(v. 18) Heart - Ignorance comes from the hardening of our hearts
(v. 21) Honesty / Truth / Vows / Oath - Truth is in Jesus
(v. 26) Anger / Fits of Rage / Bitterness - Do not let the sun go down while you are angry
(v. 26) Anger / Fits of Rage / Bitterness - Do not sin in anger
(v. 27) Sin / Wickedness / Satan - Do not give the devil a foothold
(v. 29) Speaking / Gossip / Lying / Slander - Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth
(v. 29) Speaking / Gossip / Lying / Slander - Only words helpful for building others up according to their needs
(v. 31) Hatred - Get rid of all bitterness
(v. 31) Anger / Fits of Rage / Bitterness - Get rid of all bitterness
(v. 32) Forgiveness / Mercy / Atonement - Forgive each other
(v. 32) Kindness - Be kind to one another
(v. 32) Compassion / Concern - Be compassionate to one another

This passage is referenced in the following quiet time(s):
(v. 7) One Another - One Another In Groups (part 3) (2010-03-01)
(v. 7) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 8) Waking Dead - At War (part 2) (2010-08-07)
(v. 8) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 9) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 9) Waking Dead - At War (part 2) (2010-08-07)
(v. 10) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 11) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 11) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 11) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 11) Life to the Full - In His Steps (part 2) (2010-04-19)
(v. 12) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 12) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 12) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 13) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 13) Purpose Driven Life - It Takes Time (2008-06-22)
(v. 13) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 13) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 14) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 14) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 14) Men Leave Childhood Behind (2013-09-11)
(v. 15) Men Leave Childhood Behind (2013-09-11)
(v. 15) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 15) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 15) Raising Awesome Kids - Openness (2009-01-13)
(v. 15) One Another - Making it Clear (2009-09-25)
(v. 15) One Another - Speaking the Truth in Love (2009-10-06)
(v. 16) Church (part II) (2011-01-08)
(v. 16) Growing (part I) (2011-11-30)
(v. 17) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 17) Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 8) (2010-07-21)
(v. 18) Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 8) (2010-07-21)
(v. 18) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 19) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 19) Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 8) (2010-07-21)
(v. 19) Mind of Christ - About Self (part II) (2011-07-16)
(v. 20) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 21) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 22) Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ (2008-06-15)
(v. 22) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 22) Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part VI) (2011-07-05)
(v. 23) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 23) Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part VI) (2011-07-05)
(v. 23) Purpose Driven Life - How We Grow (2008-06-16)
(v. 23) Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ (2008-06-15)
(v. 24) Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part VI) (2011-07-05)
(v. 24) Waking Dead - Christ's Great Works (2010-09-20)
(v. 24) Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ (2008-06-15)
(v. 24) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 25) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 26) Teach Us To Pray - In Marriage and Family (2008-09-12)
(v. 26) Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 4) (2010-09-12)
(v. 26) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 27) Teach Us To Pray - In Marriage and Family (2008-09-12)
(v. 27) Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 4) (2010-09-12)
(v. 27) Purpose Driven Life - Overcoming Temptation (2008-06-21)
(v. 27) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 28) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 29) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 29) Kingdom First - Personal Responsibility (part 1) (2010-01-27)
(v. 29) Followup: Relationships in the Body (part II) (2011-09-15)
(v. 29) Followup - Relationships Demonstrated (2011-01-29)
(v. 29) You are what you eat (2010-09-13)
(v. 29) Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone (part 2) (2010-04-21)
(v. 29) Day 27 - Learning to be Loyal (2011-12-30)
(v. 29) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 30) Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone (part 2) (2010-04-21)
(v. 30) Blessings In Christ (part VI) (2012-03-10)
(v. 30) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 30) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 30) Prayer of the Righeous - Knowing God through His Word (part I) (2013-03-20)
(v. 31) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 31) Mind Change - Forgive (2011-11-11)
(v. 31) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 31) One Another - Forgiving One Another (part 2) (2010-02-26)
(v. 31) Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone (part 2) (2010-04-21)
(v. 32) Mind Change - Forgive (2011-11-11)
(v. 32) Hurtful Examples and Lies (2013-08-27)
(v. 32) Holy Spirit (part II) (2011-01-05)
(v. 32) Falling in Love with God - Bitterness (2008-04-02)
(v. 32) One Another - Forgiving One Another (part 2) (2010-02-26)
(v. 32) One Another (part III) (2011-03-17)
(v. 32) Promises of God - Forgiving Others (2009-03-04)
(v. 32) Raising Awesome Kids - Repect: Eliminate Critical, Harsh Talk (2009-01-11)
(v. 32) One Another (part I) (2011-03-15)

This passage is referenced in the following study note(s):
(v. 11) Devotional: Leadership in the Church (2008-12-18)
(v. 12) Devotional: Leadership in the Church (2008-12-18)
(v. 13) Devotional: Leadership in the Church (2008-12-18)
(v. 29) Sermon: Practical ways to live by the spirit (2015-08-02)
(v. 30) Sermon: Practical ways to live by the spirit (2015-08-02)
(v. 31) Sermon: Practical ways to live by the spirit (2015-08-02)
(v. 32) Sermon: Free the prisoners (2013-04-28)
(v. 32) Sermon: Practical ways to live by the spirit (2015-08-02)

Definition(s):
Jesus (Jeez-us): savior; deliverer