15. No! We will speak the truth with love. We will grow up in every way to be like Christ, who is the head.
16. The whole body depends on Christ. And all the parts of the body are joined and held together. Each part of the body does its own work. And this makes the whole body grow and be strong with love.
17. In the Lord’s name, I tell you this. I warn you: Do not continue living like those who do not believe. Their thoughts are worth nothing.
18. They do not understand. They know nothing, because they refuse to listen. So they cannot have the life that God gives.
19. They have lost their feeling of shame. And they use their lives for doing evil. More and more they want to do all kinds of evil things.
20. But the things you learned in Christ were not like this.
21. I know that you heard about him, and you are in him; so you were taught the truth. Yes, the truth is in Jesus.
22. You were taught to leave your old self—to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse and worse because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do.
23. But you were taught to be made new in your hearts.
24. You were taught to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God—made to be truly good and holy.
25. So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth because we all belong to each other in the same body.
26. When you are angry, do not sin. And do not go on being angry all day.
27. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you.
28. If a person is stealing, he must stop stealing and start working. He must use his hands for doing something good. Then he will have something to share with those who are poor.
29. When you talk, do not say harmful things. But say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will help those who listen to you.
30. And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Spirit is God’s proof that you belong to him. God gave you the Spirit to show that God will make you free when the time comes.
31. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil.