Ephesians 4:31-32 & Matthew 26:52 Study

[AlexB23]

Ephesians 4 and Matthew 26 are important passages for us to follow as Christians, as we must try to maintain peacefulness. I will list two real world examples where a cult in the 1990s, and a woman during the April 8, 2024 eclipse, which I discussed about in the current events subforum, decided to ignore these scriptures. So, let us step on over to the table (pun intended) and chew on these two passages from the Bible.

Date​	April 20, 2024​
Verse​	Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Matthew 26:52, which states "Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword."​
Explanation​	Ephesians 4:31-32 is a call for Christians to put away negative emotions and behaviors such as bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice, and instead be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving towards one another. This passage emphasizes the importance of love, kindness, and forgiveness in the Christian community.​ Matthew 26:52, on the other hand, is a command from Jesus to one of His disciples, Peter, to put away his sword after attempting to defend Jesus with violence. Jesus' message here was that violence and the use of force are not the solutions to conflicts or threats, but rather, love, peace, and forgiveness should be pursued. Both passages emphasize the importance of non-violence and forgiveness in the context of religious beliefs and communities. Cults or individuals who use tainted religious views as an excuse to commit heinous acts, such as violence, are in direct opposition to these teachings. The Waco Cult, also known as the Branch Davidians, infamously violated Ephesians 4:31-32 and Matthew 26:52 through their acts of violence and their belief in using force as a means to defend their beliefs. The Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh, believed they were preparing for an end-time battle and stockpiled weapons. Their belief system led them to engage in violent conflicts with law enforcement agencies, resulting in the tragic events at their compound in Waco, Texas, in 1993. Their actions were a clear violation of Ephesians call to put away negative emotions, such as anger and wrath, and instead be kind and forgiving towards others. Their use of weapons also contradicted Jesus' command in Matthew 26 to put away the sword and not resort to violence. As for the Florida woman who shot at cars from her vehicle during the April 8, 2024 eclipse under the guise of "God told me so," her actions also contradicted both Biblical passages. The woman's erroneous belief that God was instructing her to shoot bullets at cars was not in line with the teachings of kindness, forgiveness, and non-violence found in these passages. Her actions could be seen as a form of wrath, anger, or malice, which are explicitly condemned in Ephesians 4:31-32. The use of violence, even if motivated by religious beliefs, is not justified and goes against the teachings of both Jesus and Paul. Instead, Christians are called to respond to conflicts and disagreements with love, forgiveness, and compassion.
Real-world use​	Real-world applications of these passages include practicing forgiveness and extending kindness towards others, even when faced with conflict or harm. Instead of resorting to violence or retaliation, Christians are called to respond with love and compassion. Additionally, these passages can serve as a reminder to critically examine the motivations behind religious beliefs or actions that may promote violence or harm towards others. Instead, Christians should strive to follow the teachings of Jesus and Paul, which emphasize love, peace, and forgiveness.​