25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. 30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed to the day of redemption.

{Our Story thus far: The Body's ability to function as a self-edifying entity, united under the HS's control & reflecting the glory of God, is dependent upon individual believers drawing upon the manifold grace of God to know the truth, live the truth, and love others with the truth. Therefore, we must put off the self-centered behavior which hinders unity, and engage in other-centered Body building.}

I. We Pain God When We Reject the Work of His Spirit

A. One Blasphemes the Holy Spirit when one refuses to See His authentication of the Truth

B. We Quench the Holy Spirit when we refuse to Listen to His Truth 1Th 5:19

C. We Grieve the HS when we frustrate His development of Body Unity by not Speaking the Truth Eph 4:30

                1. By failing to truth it in love (know the Truth, live the Truth, love others with the Truth) 4:16

                2. By having our speech governed by our unrenewed, individualistic, self-centered desires 4:22-24

                3. By acting as if we are independent of each other (the unified Body being builtl by the HS) 4:25

II. We Please God When We Participate in the Work of His Spirit

{Spirit's Goal: Glorify God (Jn 16:4) by Revealing (Jn 16), Convicting (Jn 16:8), Renewing (Ti 3:5; Ro 8:13), Body/Temple Building (1Co 12:7,13)}

A. Recognize and Remove (put away) the False (Part I)

The falsehood we need to take off and put away:

1) I'm an individual (Jew/Gentile identity) rather than a member of Christ's Body 2:15

2) my chief purpose in life is to follow my own desires 1:5-6; 5:1

3) others exist for my benefit 4:12; I have no responsibility to minister to others 4:16

4) I have nothing to offer others 4:7; my worldly perspective is superior to a spiritual perspective 1Ti 1:4-7

5) I have an access/hotline to God that other's don't enjoy 2:18

6) I only need to interact with those I like (and who are like me) 1Cor 9:20

7) I should only speak what is pleasant (so others will like me) 4:29 2Tim 4:2

B. Replace the False with the True (Part II)

1. We Delight the HS when we participate in His work of developing the Body to display His glory by Speaking the Truth

2. We Delight the HS when we serve as a conduit of Grace (coin of the realm of heaven) to each other's need

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What else prevents us from truth speaking to each other? What other falsehoods need to go?

2. What motivation do we have to cast off what ties us down and get in the current of the work of the Spirit?

3. Should our truth speaking be a halogen spotlight or a candle under a Tiffany shade?

4. To stop corrupt communication do we need a filter or to dig a new well?

5. For next week: What needs exist in ________'s life which God could meet by using me as a conduit of His grace?