Good morning! Today we will continue our reading in Ephesians chapter four. Yesterday we read about living a life worthy of our calling. Today, we read additional guidance on our character and attitude as Christ followers. Enjoy today’s reading and your weekend.
Bible Verse – Ephesians 4:2-3 NLT
“2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
Reflection
It is always enlightening and heart-moving to read these verses. Can I challenge you to pause for a moment to re-read today’s verses. Be mindful to stop at each period and pause between each comma to allow the words to reach your heart.
Ok, now that you have re-read verses 2 and 3, let us dig a little more. Apostle Paul wrote three virtues to complement a Christian’s walk:
- Humble – the opposite of pride is humility. Pride promotes disunity and humility promotes unity. Christ is the greatest example of humility – written in Philippians chapter verses 6-8, it states, “6 Though he was God,[a] he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges[b]; he took the humble position of a slave[c] and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,[d] 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Sisters and brothers, as Christ followers we won’t do this perfectly but we have an example of what it looks like, and our goal should be obedience to and dependence on God to help us to be humble in our daily lives. In humility walk in the strength and knowledge that God has given you and called you to. Use humility to unify, and dismantle pride that separates and dishonors the Christian faith.
- Gentle – a form of meekness. The opposite of gentleness is self-assertion, harshness, and rudeness. I’m sure each of us has experienced at least one of those responses from someone. However, as Christ followers, Apostle Paul is calling us to take control of our emotions. Let me say that again, gentleness requires for us to have our emotions under control, our responses and reactions under control. That’s not weakness, it is really a flex of strength. Someone suggested that “it is the mean between one who is angry all the time and one who is never angry. One who is controlled by God is angry at the right time but never angry at the wrong time.” Two moments in the Bible we read about include Moses’ anger (Exodus 32) and Jesus flipping tables in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13). They were both characterized as meek and humble, but there was a time for each of them to stand for God. Let us flex gentleness with self-control.
- Patient – the book of James chapter five is a great reference for patience. Patience is also a self-restraint that doesn’t quickly or hastily retaliate against offenses. The spirit of patience is that it never gives up, it endures until the end, even when the odds are stacked against it or during times of adversity. Patience is truly God at work in us.
Sisters and brothers, these virtues are worthy of being carried out. Not only do they unify believers, it is an example for nonbelievers to see how Christ followers should be bearing with one another. Consistently living in truth, unity and peace – loving one another even when there are differences.
How will you live out humility, gentleness, and patience today and throughout the weekend?
Prayer
Father God, thank you for your grace and love for us. Thank you for forgiving us of our sins and shortcomings. Lord, we want to be good witnesses of the faith. Help us in these three virtues as we seek to be Christ followers in this world.
Lord, we lift up each reader and prayer request to you. In Jesus name we pray, amen!
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BIBLE STUDY
Our next Bible study session is on Thursday, November 5, 2026. This in-depth Bible study series is on the Book of Galatians. The book is titled: Now That Faith Has Come, written by Beth Moore. Study is online via Zoom and it begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8:00 p.m. To join the study, send an email to contactus@maryewhiteministries.com
You can pre-order your book from Living Proof Ministries at https://store.lproof.org/products/copy-of-now-that-faith-has-come-a-study-of-galatians-bible-study-book?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=b65982225&pr_rec_pid=6667403690035&pr_ref_pid=4721695260723&pr_seq=uniform
Picture of the Bible Study Book – Now That Faith Has Come: A Study of Galatians Bible Study
SEEKING GUESTS WRITERS
We are seeking Guest Writers to write daily devotions that will be published on our website, social media pages, and sent out via other platforms during the month of December. If you are interested, please pray about it and send us an email to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com
PRAYER REQUEST
Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com
Bible Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com
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