DISPOSE, DON'T BOTTLE UP

Baca: EPHESIANS 4:25-32

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Bacaan tahunan: Numbers 11-13

Imagine, we live in a city full of hustle and bustle, competition, and emotional pressure. Well, that's how the living environment of the congregation in Ephesus was in Paul's time. They had to face economic and cultural challenges, as well as misleading spiritual life. In such situations, various negative emotions are prone to sneak in and take control of their lives. Therefore, Paul-through loving and wise counsel-invites them (and us) to walk through life differently.

"Get rid of ...!" That's Paul's invitation in Ephesians 4:31. Not just "reduce" or "bottle up", but "dispose of". It's like getting rid of and cleaning the dirt that sticks to the body. Because bitterness, rage, anger, clamor, and slander clearly ruin relationships. Then, slowly but surely, they will gnaw at our souls-through unhealed emotional wounds or disappointment.

Therefore, Paul doesn't stop at the invitation, "Dispose of!" He also offers a concrete follow-up action, replace all of that with kindness, love, and forgiveness (v. 32). This is not just ordinary moral advice, but a call to live in the love of Christ. We are invited to live in full peace, not as prisoners of the past, but as new individuals restored by the grace of God.

So, let's examine ourselves, are there still various negative emotional upheavals in our innermost being? The Lord desires us to dispose of them-so that we can feel relieved, able to love one another, and live more peacefully. --SAP/www.renunganharian.net

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BITTERNESS IS LIKE CANCER. IT EATS UP THE HOST. WHILE ANGER IS LIKE FIRE. IT BURNS EVERYTHING DOWN.-MAYA ANGELOU

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