fication (Eph. 4:29). Our language is an audible sign of what fills our innermost being (Matt. 12:33-37). Though decent words don't prove a clean heart, vile ones certainly dem onstrate an impure one. Hence, Paul adds with great feeling, "out of your mouth.” This phrase is the comple ment of “put away” and refers to all five sins named, especially to the last two. Instead of “might as well say it as think it” (Matt. 5:28), we should neither say nor think such things. They have no place in the heart and life of the Christian. Verse 9. “Lie not.” To lie is to change facts and figures with inten tion to deceive. God is truth (Deut. 32:4) and finds the lie one of the most hateful of sins (Prov. 6:16- 19). There is no place for liars in Heaven (Rev. 22:15); and good rea son, for Satan is their father (John 8:44). In no case does God license the lie as a means to obtain His will. There is no place even for the “white” lie. If we can’t tell all the truth, we must be careful that what we do tell does not change the color of the whole. Jesus Christ is the truth, and we represent Him to the world. “To one another.” Not just to the brethren, but to all men always. Also we must be true to ourselves about ourselves. It is so easy to de ceive and to convince ourselves that we are what we are not. The second part of this verse is a restatement of verses 5-8. “Hav ing put off” is the same word used in 2:11, 15. I t is a strong verb carrying the idea of stripping off, of renouncing completely. Here it is parallel to “put to death” and “put away” (w . 5, 8). Can anyone ever get complete victory over sin while in the body? Galatians 5 and human experience seem to say “no,” yet we are commanded to be perfect (1 :22). By experience we know that one vic tory over sin leads to the next, each becoming easier. (Vice versa is also true.) Generally we sin, not in ig norance, but because we want to.
Both vengeance and wrath belong to Him. “Anger” is almost synonymous with wrath and signifies a strong emotion or passion of the mind (Acts 19:28). While wrath is more a dis position of the mind, anger is a fleet ing thing, that moment of intense passion mixed with an overpower ing desire to take vengeance or to destroy that which gets in our way. “Malice” comes from the word trans lated evil in verse 5 and means de- CHRIST CAN CURE YOUR CARE When life's problems press upon you Till you're tempted to despair, There is One who knows the answer, Take it to the Lord in prayer. In the power o f His presence, There's a cure for every care. And the burden will be lifted In the secret place of prayer. When the days are dark and dreary And your soul is filled with fear, Hear the words of Christ the Saviour, "Fear not, child, for I am near." Trust Him then, your Lord and Master, He whose loving arm is strong. Faith will turn your trial to triumph In your heart you'll find a song. If your soul is sick and saddened Burdened with the guilt of sin, There is One who waits to heal you. And to cleanse your heart within, In His boundless grace and mercy, Grace which only God can know, You will find your guilt all covered And your sins made white as snow. — Albert Simpson Reitz pravity (Eph. 4:31; Acts 8:22). Like wrath, it is more attitude than a single act. Neither the action nor the attitude should characterize the Christian. “Blasphemy” is the act of speaking disrespectfully and irrev erently of divine things, the casting of reproach into the face of the Almighty (Matt. 12:31, 32). Finally, “obscene language.” Vile or foul talk, indecent or dishonorable words — they all come under this classi
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