I love the book of Ephesians. Every time I open it, I have a hard time stopping at just one verse. It feels like the Word just starts pouring out, and there is always something there that grabs hold of you. That is exactly what happened when I found myself in Ephesians chapter 4.
Paul starts this chapter with strong language. He says:
“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” (Ephesians 4:1, NLT)
That word beg matters. This is not a casual suggestion. Paul is making it clear that living a life worthy of our calling is serious business.
You have been called by God. That part is settled. The question is not whether you are called, but whether you are living up to that calling.
Paul does not leave us guessing about what this kind of life looks like. He immediately gives us indicators we can measure ourselves against:
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves
I will be honest. This one took time for me to learn. I have been pastoring for years, and I have not always been patient with people’s faults.
There was a moment when this verse hit me hard. The Holy Spirit reminded me very clearly that I was called to be patient with other people’s faults. Once I saw it, I realized something important. If I am filled with the Spirit, then I already have the ability to do what Scripture tells me to do. When I choose obedience, the grace to walk it out is already there.
That is freedom. Patience is not something we wait to feel. It is something we choose.
Knowing the indicators is one thing, but many people still ask how they actually get there. Paul answers that question too. Growth into maturity does not happen in isolation.
Paul explains that Christ gave gifts to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Their job is to equip God’s people and build up the body of Christ until we mature and measure up to the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11–13, NLT).
If we do not value and pursue the gifts Christ gave to the church, we will not grow to maturity. That is how God designed it. Maturity comes through participation in what He established, not by trying to do it all alone.
Paul makes it clear that maturity is not something we put off until later. God wants us moving toward it now. As we grow, we are no longer tossed around by every new idea or clever lie (Ephesians 4:14–16, NLT).
When each part of the body does its work, the whole church grows healthy and full of love. That is the goal. God uses people to deliver His gifts because He does everything through people.
Paul then gets very direct. He tells us to stop living the way we used to live. He says to throw off the old sinful nature and let the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4:17–24, NLT).
This is part of how the equipping gifts build us up. We are reminded not to live like we used to. We are taught to be ruthless with sin. We learn to be led by the Spirit, and we learn to put on the new nature Christ gave us.
Righteousness is something we actively put on. Just like getting dressed, it is a daily choice.
Later in the chapter, Paul says something that deserves serious attention. “Nor give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27, NKJV).
That word place means a portion of space marked off for specific use. It also means giving permission or opportunity. When we give place to the devil, we are allowing him access to part of our lives.
Scripture actually narrows this down to one root issue. Anger that is allowed to remain.
Paul says, “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26, NKJV). Anger itself is not the sin. The problem is when it stays.
In biblical times, a new day began when the sun went down. Paul is saying not to step into a new day carrying unresolved anger. Deal with it quickly. Do not let it linger.
When anger stays, it multiplies. Paul lists what follows: bitterness, wrath, clamor, evil speaking, and malice (Ephesians 4:31, NKJV).
Bitterness shows up as being critical, harsh, and mean. Wrath is an uncontrolled temper. Clamor is yelling in anger. Evil speaking is slandering someone’s reputation, even if what you say is technically true. Malice is the desire to harm.
All of it starts with that initial feeling of irritation that was never dealt with.
In the same passage, Paul warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30, NKJV). The context makes it clear how this happens. It happens through our words.
Whenever we speak in a way that tears down instead of building up, we grieve the Holy Spirit. Correction can be loving. Truth can be spoken in a way that builds instead of destroys.
I learned this personally during a family gathering where joking crossed a line. What felt funny in the moment was exposed by the Holy Spirit as hurtful. That moment changed me. That was repentance.
Paul gives us the solution in the same chapter. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32, NKJV).
True repentance here is forgiveness. Not forced forgiveness, but forgiveness rooted in remembering how Christ forgave us.
If you struggle to forgive, the answer is not trying harder. The answer is spending time remembering what you have been forgiven of. When that reality hits you again, forgiveness flows naturally.
We all face moments where irritation shows up fast. I had one recently in traffic where frustration came out of my mouth before I realized it. The Holy Spirit checked me immediately, and I repented just as quickly.
That is what humility looks like. Be quick to repent and quick to move on.
If you are carrying unresolved anger, your instruction today is simple. Forgive as Christ forgave you. Sit with what He rescued you from. Let it soak in.
When forgiveness becomes easy, freedom follows. That is a life worthy of the calling.
