Christian Behavior

IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY
A. Solid in knowledge of the word of God
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
B. Christlike behavior in love, word, and deed
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ
C. This causes the church to grow in numer and maturity
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

OUR BEHAVIOR IS TO BE IN CONTRAST TO THE BEHAVIOR OF THOSE WHO DO NOT FOLLOW OUR LORD

A. Do not boss your own life, as those who do not know Christ, who are their own frame of reference
Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
B. They are living without spiritual understanding
Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
1. alienated from the LIFE of God, as shown by their wrong behavior
2. spiritually ignorant of the Bible principles and Christlike viewpoint and frame of reference of life
3. their behavior results from a blind heart
Eph 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Jeremiah 29:13 "And ye shall seek me and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

C. Contrasting behavior of those who have learned the truth of Christ (correct principles of behavior)
Eph 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ
Eph 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus

HOW BEHAVIOR IS CONTROLLED

A. Behavior is controlled by the mind
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 
 Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
B. Believers allow the Holy Spirit to control the mind and behavior causing a pattern in living like God (righteous) and separated from worldliness (holiness)
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

WHAT CHRISTLIKE BEHAVIOR IS

A. Truthfulness (God authors) not lies (devil authors)
Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

B. Self control. But and if provoked to sin, take care of it immediately
Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
C. Behind wrong behavior is the wicked one
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
D. Christlike behavior toward THINGS; work and give
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
E. Christlike tongue behavior; speak to build up spiritually, sometimes reproof and sometimes praise, but in God's will and purpose for our life and thiers
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
F. Spirit control produces correct behavior
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
G. Behavior to avoid
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
H. Behavior to practice
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

BEHAVIOR DEVELOPS INTO PATTERNS

A. Correct patterns develp when we like a child follow our heavenly father
Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children
B. Beautiful patterns of love and self giving develop
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
C. Bad behavioral patterns that must not develop
Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
 Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
D. Philosophy of a worldly viewpoint must not be listened to
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
E. Remain aloof from this bad behavior
Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
F. Base our behavior on knowledge of God's truth, develop in spiritual ability to understand the World, and remember how things were when we did not know Christ
Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
G. Christlike behavior patterns of goodness, rightousness, and truth
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
H. Willfully and mentally APROVE (say amen, give effort to) what God's word says is correct behavior for us
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
I. Remain aloof from people who give evidence of following satan's leadership
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
J. Reprove their behavior by our behavior, by living in the light of God's Word (TRUTH) The difference and lack of Godliness will become real to them
Eph 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
K. Christlike behavior requires alertness to life, it requires picking our path of response carefully
Eph 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 
Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 
Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
BEHAVIOR IS TO BE BASED ON SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING

A. "Others may, you cannot!" For certain behavior (maybe not considered sinful) does not fit into God's plan for your life
Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
B. Wrong behavior comes from anything which takes our mind of God's will for our life
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit
C. Right behavior comes from the Holy Spirit's filling
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit

RIGHT BEHAVIOR BRINGS REJOICING

1. God's will in our behavior gives a light and happy heart
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 
2. We are able to give thanks for what we see God doing in us and around us
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 
3. We develop the ability to limit our freedom (deference) in order not to offend the personal taste of others we are saving. We do not feel compelled to push for our own way.
Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.