The NEW Man (of Ephesians 4)

The NEW Man (of Ephesians 4)!

The following are...
12 Key Characteristics of a NEW MAN of God (as understood from Ephesians 4:17-32)... A brief study/overview as conducted by Rodney "Roc" Foreman.

#1: MEN OF GOD... STAND OUT!
MEN don't live their lives doing the useless, ineffective and unsuccessful things that others are doing around them!

(V.17)
"...This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind...."

#2: MEN OF GOD... ARE INTELLIGENT!
MEN don't allow the people around them to impact upon their lives with ignorance and spiritual compromise!

(V.18-19)
"...having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart... who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness...."

#3: MEN OF GOD... STAND ON THE TRUTH OF JESUS CHRIST!
MEN seek out and adhere to the TRUTH of Jesus Christ, not allowing themselves to pick up learned behaviors of those who DO NOT possess the Truth of Christ!

(V. 20-21)
"...But you have not so learned Christ... if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus...."

#4: MEN OF GOD... HAVE OVERCOME THEIR PERSONAL HISTORY!
MEN are not caught up in the things and habits of past living, and realize the great necessity to change their way of thinking about renewed living!

(V. 22-23)
"...that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts... and be renewed in the spirit of your mind...."

#5: MEN OF GOD... EMBRACE CHANGED LIVES!
MEN are diligent to live transformed, God-pleasing and spiritually healthy lives that are completely different from the lives they used to live!

(V. 24)
"...and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness...."

#6: MEN OF GOD... ARE NOT LIARS!
MEN realize the impact and potential damage of speaking lies to those closest to them, and embrace being truthful at all times to ensure the health of those they love as well as themselves!

(V. 25)
"...Therefore, putting away lying, Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another...."

#7: MEN OF GOD... HAVE CONTROLLED TEMPERS!
MEN recognize that anger is ALWAYS about personal control and will always work to maintain spiritually guarded against all temptations to lose personal control in (and over) ALL situations!

(V. 26-27)
“...Be angry, and do not sin do not let the sun go down on your wrath... nor give place to the devil...."

#8: MEN OF GOD... HAVE A STRONG WORK ETHIC!
MEN embrace honorable living, while standing against dishonorable living - working hard to do what is good, and also using his work to be a blessing to others in need!

(V. 28)
"...Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need...."

#9: MEN OF GOD... SEEK TO BUILD OTHERS UP!
MEN are NOT given to gossip, back-biting, slander nor ridicule of any kind, but recognize the need for people-building, encouragement and spiritual mentoring which he does to please God!

(V. 29)
"...Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers...."

#10: MEN OF GOD... ARE SENSITIVE TO THE MOVEMENTS OF GOD!
MEN do NOT have agendas that seek to override what pleases God, and are sensitive to The Same Spirit that is working in his own life, just as HE (The Spirit) is working in the lives of others!

(V. 30)
"...And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption...."

#11: MEN OF GOD... SEEK PEACE!
MEN know the value of The Peace of God and DO NOT hold on to past offenses, misunderstandings or disagreements that may have tested their ability to maintain personal control at any given time!

(V. 31)
"...Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice...."

#12: MEN OF GOD... POSSESS THE STRENGTH TO LOVE!
MEN are ABLE to withstand difficult, offensive and often hard-hearted individuals who are weak-minded and lacking a right relationship with God, but rather, MEN FORGIVE... and CHOOSE to Love just as Christ has done for them!

(V. 32)
"...And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you...."

With Love & Grave,
Rodney "Roc" Foreman

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