Ephesians 4:17 English Standard Version (ESV) Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.

Picking up where we left off yesterday please note that there was no comment of a personal nature in that posting.

Some things in scriptures are so complete that adding a comment only detracts from the quality of the message. Granted there is always an opportunity to elaborate but to what end? Yesterday’s scriptures are so plainly understood that nothing should have been added.

Here Paul shifts gears and addresses others, outside the body of Christ. It is so easy to comment about things which have no relationship to us. We might have been as they were at one time and these gentile behaviors do need to be addressed. They address issue that do not apply to us any longer.

Paul says in verse 22 “put off your old self” as a reminder that the old life is dead and we walk in newness of life. It is not an accusation of the saints as some would like to say. God does not accuse, He forgives. Exhortations to right behavior should not be thrown about as accusations at one another. We would do better to have no comment than to judge another’s walk in the Lord.

Romans 14:1 English Standard Version

Do Not Pass Judgment on One Another

1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

Encouragement to do better does not have to begin with pointing out anyone’s faults.

The ability to communicate in a manner which is acceptable and taken correctly must come from a place of personal relationship. Knowing a person’s boundaries comes from experience and we should know when we are approaching those boundaries.

Sometimes no comment allows others to hear God, which is always better for both parties.