Various · Ephesians 4.

Verse 31. As a fitting pendant to the exhortation not to grieve the Spirit, there is now added an enumeration of some of the more familiar features of the old man, that by viewing their hateful deformity in the pure and holy light of Christ, we may be aroused to fresh vigilance and decision in freeing ourselves practically from their dominion. None of the things here mentioned have any place in heaven. They ought, therefore, to be banished from the hearts of those who are partakers of the heavenly calling They are all but varied expressions of the unsatisfied wretchedness of the natural man. But new things belong to them that are in Christ. No one can think or speak with bitterness whose heart is nourished on the love of Christ; nor can we clamorously seek our own if we are kept mindful of the manner of our calling. Malice dies out when faith is strong; for who can be malicious who remembers by what means it was that, when we were enemies, God reconciled us to Himself? Still, although all these things are contrary to the regenerate man, and unhesitatingly condemned by our conscience, they are not to be escaped from without effort. We are exhorted to put them away. And if it be asked how we may best do this? the answer is, By practising the opposite virtues in the energy of the Spirit. Accordingly, this dissuasive from the former things is followed by its hortatory counterpart in the following verse.