Do You Listen to Jesus And Are Taught By Him?

I see a pattern in many of the books of the New Testament. The writer under the influence of the Holy Spirit encourages the church then warns. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul encourages for almost 4 chapters, then he begins serious instruction and warning. Most preachers of our day spend little time teaching the scriptures and if they do, they focus mainly on the encouraging verses. This is very dangerous and self serving. They are ear tickling preachers. They do not warn.

When we read the scriptures we should take every warning and ask ourselves if we are being obedient or disobedient to what is written. There are two groups of people shown in the following verses. Which one are we in? Are we in both? If so, this should not be and we should repent and obey God. Do not be deceived and led to destruction. "Do not let anyone deceive you with meaningless words, for it is because of these things that God becomes angry with those who disobey."  Chapter 5, verse 6

Today we find ourselves in Ephesians 4.

Ephesians 4 ISV

17Therefore, I tell you and insist onj in the Lord not to live any longer like the gentiles live, thinking worthless thoughts.k 

• 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart. 
• 19Since they have lost all sense of shame, they have abandoned themselves to sensuality and practice every kind of sexual perversion without restraint. 
• 20However, that is not the way you came to know the Messiah.l 

21Surely you have listened to him and have been taught by him, since truth is in Jesus. 

• 22Regarding your former way of life, 
• you were taughtm to strip off your old nature, which is being ruined by its deceptive desires, 
• 23to be renewed in your mental attitude, 
• 24and to clothe yourselves with the new nature, 
• which was created according to God’s imagen in righteousness and true holiness.

25Therefore, 

• stripping off falsehood, “let each of us speak the truth to his neighbor,”o for we belong to one another. 
• 26“Be angry, yet do not sin.”p Do not let the sun set while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil an opportunity to work.q 
• 28The thief must no longer steal but must work hard and do what is good with his own hands, so that he might earn something to give to the needy.
• 29Let no filthy talk be heard from your mouths, but only what is good for building up people and meeting the need of the moment.r This way you will administer grace to those who hear you. 
• 30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 
• 31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred. 
• 32And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another just as God has forgiven yous in the Messiah.t

Continuing into Ephesians 5 ISV

1So be imitators of God, as his dear children. 2Live lovingly, just as the Messiaha also loved usb and gave himself for us as an offering and sacrifice, a fragrant aroma to God. 

• 3Do not let sexual sin, impurity of any kind, or greed even be mentioned among you, as is proper for saints. 4Obscene, flippant, or vulgar talk is totally inappropriate. Instead, let there be thanksgiving. 
• 5For you know very well that no immoral or impure person, or anyone who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiahc and of God.

6Do not let anyone deceive you with meaningless words, for it is because of these things that God becomes angry with those who disobey.d 7So do not be partners with them. 

• 8For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, 9for the fruit that the lighte produces consists of every form of goodness, righteousness, and truth. 10Determine what pleases the Lord, 11and have nothing to do with the unfruitful actions that darkness produces. 
• Instead, expose them for what they are. 12For it is shameful even to mention what is done by these disobedient peoplef in secret. 
• 13But everything that is exposed to the light becomes visible, 14for the light is making everything visible. That is why it says,

“Wake up, sleeper!

Arise from the dead,

and the Messiahg will shine on you.’’h

15So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, 16making the best use of your timei because the times are evil. 

• 17Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
• 18Stop gettingj drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, 
• but keep on being filled with the Spirit. 

19Then you will recite to one another psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; you will sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts; 20you will consistently give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah;k 21and you will submit to one another out of reverence forl the Messiah.m