Put off falsehood. We are to stop lying and be honest and truthful with our associates and in all our dealings.
We are to get rid of anger, rage, brawling, slander, malice and bitterness.
a) Anger is a human emotion, but Paul warns us not to sin while we are angry. He said, “In your anger do not sin. Do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephes. 4:26-27). Anger grows as we indulge in it until it gets out of control. Uncontrolled, furious anger, which is rage, will open the door for a spirit of anger or rage to enter and dominate us. That is why we hear a person who has committed a hideous crime say words like these: “Something came over me and the next thing I knew it had happened.”
James in his epistle says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (Ja. 1:19-20).
b) Brawling means to quarrel or speak noisily; to create a disturbance by quarreling or fighting. The Bible has a lot to say about strife which means quarreling and contending with one another. “He who loves a quarrel loves sin” (Prov. 17: 19). “An angry man stirs up dissension (strife, quarreling) ” (Prov. 29:22a). “Better a dry crust [of bread] with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife” (Prov. 17:1). “It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel” (Prov. 20:3). “Don’t have anything to do with stupid and foolish arguments, because you know they produce quarrels” (2 Tim. 2:23).
c) Malice means extreme ill-will; a desire to harm others or do mischief; spite. Malice is the ground that produces the fruit of slander.
d) Slander means to utter or spread a false statement harmful to another’s character or reputation. How does God view the sin of slander? “Whoever spreads slander is a fool” (Prov. 10:18). “Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence” (Psa. 101:5). A qualification for the office of deacon is that his wife not be a slanderer (1 Tim. 3:11).
e) Bitterness is the root that grows out of unforgiveness and it harms us spiritually, emotionally and physically. If Jesus forgave our great debt of sin, how can we not forgive our brother? (See Matt.18: 23-35.) Do you want your prayers answered? Forgive. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mk. 11:25).
We are to “put off” bitterness and unforgiveness and then “put on” loving kindness to others. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).
f) In the midst of the list of negative emotions that cause us to sin, Paul mentions stealing. His command needs no comment. “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his hands, that he may have something to share with those in need” (Eph. 4:28).
