Fruitful Living
Being a Channel of Truth and Holiness (Part III)
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” – Ephesians 4:22-25 (NIV)
We bring you this week the concluding part on “Being a Channel of Truth and Holiness”, which we started two weeks ago and ended with Walking in Truth and Holiness. We began with lessons from chapter 4 of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
We are happy to reproduce that content so that we can seamlessly conclude the rest of the article. As you read and share it with others, may the Lord grant all of us the grace to be channels of truth and holiness.
Walking in Truth and Holiness
Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians speaks extensively about walking in truth and holiness. By focusing on his words, we can grasp the sheer privilege of being God’s channel for truth and holiness. This is particularly found in Ephesians 4:17-32, which we will explore verse by verse.
Introduction
- In Ephesians 4:1, Paul begins to describe our duty to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.”
- In doing so, he first called us to walk together in unity by admonishing us to:
- Display the “attitude” crucial for maintaining unity (Ephesians 4:2-3).
- Understand the “basis” of the unity we have in Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6).
- Utilize the “gifts” given by Christ to His church to keep the body of Christ together and growing (Ephesians 4:7-16).
- In the last half of chapter four (Ephesians 4:17-32), Paul continues to describe the sort of “walk” that is worthy of our calling, especially as “a holy temple in the Lord.”
- Whereas the first half emphasized Walking Together in Unity,
- This section emphasizes Walking in Truth and Holiness.
I. The Admonition – Ephesians 4:17-24
A. No longer walk like the rest of the Gentiles (Ephesians 4:17-19)
- They walk “in the futility of their mind.” How so?
- It starts with the hardening of their heart.
- This leads to the ignorance that is in them.
- Because of such ignorance, they are alienated from the life of God.
- As a result, they have their understanding darkened.
Notice that Jesus describes this same process in Matthew 13:14-15.
- Their walk is past feeling, as indicated by the fact that they:
- “Have given themselves over to licentiousness” (i.e., unbridled lust and excess).
- “Work all uncleanness with greediness.”
Desensitized, they seek ever-increasing forms of moral depravity.
- By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee,
the author
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Preparing for Ramadan through the month of Sha‘ban
THE month of Sha‘ban, which precedes Ramadan, serves as a spiritual training ground. The Prophet (s.a.w.) devoted significant attention to this month, fasting frequently and encouraging heightened acts of worship. ‘Aishah (r.a.) narrated:
“I did not see the Messenger of Allah complete fasting in any month except Ramadan, and I did not see him fast more in any month than in Sha‘ban.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
During Sha‘ban, Muslims are encouraged to:
• Observe optional fasts,
• Increase Qur’anic recitation,
• Engage in charitable deeds (ṣadaqah),
• Strengthen community bonds and service.
These acts gradually condition both the body and soul for the rigours and blessings of Ramadan.
Scholarly guidance and community sensitisation
Across Muslim communities, scholars and religious leaders organise lectures, workshops, sermons, and media engagements to educate the Ummah about Ramadan. These initiatives address:
• The jurisprudence (fiqh) of fasting,
• The obligation to make up missed fasts from previous years,
• The ethical conduct expected during Ramadan,
• The spiritual, social, and health benefits of fasting.
Modern studies have also affirmed that fasting, when properly observed, contributes to improved self-discipline, metabolic balance, and emotional regulation—findings that align with Islamic teachings on moderation and self-control.
The role of parents and families in Ramadan preparation
Preparation begins at home. Parents play a vital role in nurturing a Ramadan-conscious environment by:
• Encouraging children and young adults to try voluntary fasts,
• Training family members to wake up for Tahajjud (night prayers),
• Establishing regular family supplications and Qur’an reading sessions.
Such practices help instill lifelong spiritual habits and strengthen family unity through shared worship.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
JESUS, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. – Luke 4:1-2a
Introduction
Lent is a period when the Holy Spirit strengthens us to face the day to day testing and temptations. Just like Jesus overcame the temptations of the devil, we also have power and will to overcome any temptation that comes our way. I invite you to give your whole heart to Jesus Christ and enjoy the power to overcome the devil’s schemes.
Tempted by the devil
One aspect of Jesus’ temptation resolved around what kind of Messiah, or Saviour, He would be and how He would use His anointing (His authority and empowerment) from God. (Many Jews would reject Him because He did not fulfill their expectations of a political “Saviour” who would step forward with military might and free them from Roman rule.)
• Satan tempted Jesus to use His power to serve His own self-interest to gain glory and power over the nations instead of accepting the humility and suffering that was ahead for Him. This was an opportunity for Him to satisfy the people’s expectation for a charismatic Messiah.
• Satan still tempts Christian leaders to use their spiritual authority, position and ability for their own self-interest, to establish their own reputation and power and to please people rather than God. Those who selfishly compromise with Satan have actually surrendered to His control.
• Jesus turned away every one of Satan’s temptations by properly referring to God’s Word (“It is written”). If this was the effective strategy for Jesus, we certainly must know and rely on His Word as revealed to us in the Bible.
LUKE 4:4 – MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.
• Satan tempts Jesus’ “flesh”, or physical desires, of which hunger is perhaps the strongest – particularly after such an extended time without food. While it may have seemed reasonable to perform a miracle to eat, Jesus would not be tempted to use His power for selfish reasons. Jesus meets and resists Satan’s temptation by declaring that He will live by God’s Word above all else.
Jesus is saying that everything truly important in life depends on God and His plans and purposes. To strive for success, happiness or material things apart from God’s way and purpose will lead to disappointment and end in failure.
Jesus emphasized this truth when He taught that we must seek God’s kingdom (God’s authority, activity, purposes and power in our lives) above anything and everything else. If we do, God promises to take care of all our needs and give us all other necessary things just the way He intends.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
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