Devotion 12 March 2026

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23: 3

READING: Ephesians 4: 25-32

It is quite interesting that the Lectionary for today puts Psalm 23 alongside Ephesians 4:25-32. What a contrast - the lovely peaceful picture of the green pastures and still waters of the Shepherd’s care and the bitterness, rage, brawling, slander and malice that Paul cautions against!

But that’s what life is often like, isn’t it? The image we have of ourselves as a Christian, kind, caring and patient, can instantly be shattered when people make us angry.

The secret really is that we should not have self-images that we strive for – we should be ourselves, sincere, honest and with our feet firmly and consciously set on the path towards holiness, in the power of the Holy Spirit and guided by the Shepherd’s love.

Paul is actually calling us to be ‘real’, open and honest – but under control and ‘holy’.  How to do this?

First, he says, stop lying and start acknowledging the truth. Stop being too accommodating, taking the easy way out with “white lies” or a “spin” on the truth.

Second, deal with our anger. Anger is not always wrong, it can be righteous anger. Martin Luther said he never accomplished anything useful except when he was angry. But Paul quotes from Psalm 4 to remind us that “in your anger do not sin.” Paul teaches us the principle of the biorhythm of the clock - ensure that we find a way to deal with our anger before sunset.

Third, develop a godly attitude towards materialism and money. We should not cheat; we should work hard to earn a living and then be generous. John Wesley put it like this: Make as much as you can, save as much as you can, give as much as you can.

Fourth, we should discipline what we say. Sometimes we should just simply not say anything, not write that email, not text, if we cannot say something that will help those who are listening and build them up.

Fifth, do not grieve the Holy Spirit. “Holiness” is about what pleases God; God is a person and He can be grieved.

Sixth, turn from being a fighter to being a reconciler. The reaction of rage, malice, slander and fighting is the easy, weak way out. Christ calls us to the hard work of loving our enemies, of doing good to those who use us badly, and above all, of forgiveness. Our motive here is simply to reflect the forgiveness that God shows us through the death of Jesus.

Prayer

Lord God, lead me in the right path, for Your name’s sake, Amen.