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"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."

Ephesians 4:31

The path to Christlikeness is a somewhat rocky, bumpy, and sometimes, muddy one. If it were up to us, we would probably wish that we become like Christ overnight—the kinds of wishes we often see in movies. But fantasy is absolutely a far cry from the truth. The Holy Spirit's work of transforming us into the image of Christ is more complicated than we might think.

God has to perform a heart “transplant” (Ezekiel 26:36) because our hearts are filled with all kinds of evil (Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-23). By default, our heart is polluted by wickedness due to our sinful nature. Such a heart is not fit for God's Kingdom. Our sins keep us from responding to God's word rightly. That's why the Bible tells us to get rid of sins.

In today's verse, Paul lists six sins we Christians should get rid of, including:

  • bitterness
  • wrath
  • anger
  • clamor
  • slander
  • malice

Let's talk about the sinful six one by one.

Bitterness is a resentful distrust that leads to intense hatred or hostility toward others. It is described as "sharp like an arrow, strong to the taste, nasty, and venomous." Bitterness is dangerous as it gives way for our hearts to be ruled by a spirit that declines to reconcile with others. It refuses discipline, rejects humility, and always desires to avenge itself. Bitterness is a state of mind that willfully harbors feelings of anger, waiting to erupt at any moment.

Wrath or rage comes from the Greek "thymos," which means "outbursts of anger." If bitterness is accumulated anger on the inside waiting to erupt, wrath is no longer internal but is expressed externally. It implies something hot, fierce, and passionate. When we allow our anger to rule over us, we tend to act wildly and carelessly without thinking of our actions' consequences.

Paul already discussed anger in verse 26, but it implied indignation (righteous anger). However, the type of anger Paul refers to in verse 31 is different. It comes from the Greek "orge," which means "a settled feeling of anger." It is a worldly type of anger, which is rooted in one's frustrations and disappointments. This is continuing, chronic anger. A person consumed by anger is easily annoyed, and irritated and struggles to control his emotions.

Clamor or brawling (Greek "krauge") describes uncontrollable noise, commotion, and uproar. The word can be likened to civil disobedience and resistance to the law. It involves physical aggression and a strong desire to inflict pain on others.

Slander (Greek "blasphemia") does not refer to blasphemy against God but to any speech that comes from anger intending to hurt others with words.

Malice (Greek "kakia") is a general term that refers to "ill will" or "wickedness." It stems from sensuality and causes one to assault another person deliberately.

These six sins should not be identified with Christians. Let's not forget Paul's admonition in verse 27: “do not give the Devil a foothold." I understand that we are humans, and we tend to give in to our emotions. Again, it's okay to be angry with the right person, at the right time, for the right reasons, to the right level. It is when we allow anger to rule our hearts and devise plans to inflict pain on others that it becomes sinful. Therefore, let's control our anger before it controls us.

Let me end this blog with a reminder from the Apostle Paul:

19 "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Romans 12:19-21

Pursue the Saviour today!

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