"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling." - 1 Peter 4:8-9 (NKJV)With eternity in mind, Peter emphasizes something crucial: we need each other. He doesn't just say love one another - he calls for fervent love. The Greek word picture describes a horse at full stride, completely focused on finishi...

"...nor give place to the devil..." (Ephesians 4:27)There was a Haitian pastor who was looking to buy a house. A man was selling a nice place on a nice piece of land for $2,000. The pastor couldn't afford it, so they began to negotiate. Finally, the seller agreed to come down to $1,000, but with one condition: he would maintain ownership of a single nail on the outside of the front door. Just one ...

"Be angry, and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27)Not all anger is sinful. Paul acknowledges that. There is a righteous kind. In the Gospels, Jesus drove the money changers out of the temple at least twice, and the Bible describes Him as angry. He saw the corruption, everyone making money off God's people who were just trying to w...

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:29-30)That word "corrupt" comes from the same root we use for rotten fruit, rotten vegetables, spoiled food. A corrupt word pollutes. This warning can be applie...

"Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need." (Ephesians 4:28)When we steal, it is a sin, and we give the devil access to our lives. We often justify it in our own minds. A few examples are all it takes, and most of us will start squirming a little. We steal when we take what doesn't belong t...