Ephesians 4:30-32
*Note Eph. 4:29
If you have ever been in a room full of children who need some food and a nap then you have a fairly good idea of what “clamor” really is. This word and its spiritual application is so common it seems to be overlooked in most Bible commentaries. If not overlooked entirely the word is bundled into the rest in this list and then warned against as a set.
That’s fine, especially in the challenge and warning of Ephesians 4:30, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit...” That should be warning enough, but a close look at our horseman #4, "Clamor," will help all of us in our Christian living. Before anyone dismisses clamor as an old idea or an easily avoided experience, let’s remember:
“If it was important enough for the Holy Spirit to have the in the holy, inspired text, then it’s important enough for us to pay attention to.”
NOTE: None of these, including clamor, chaos, dissension, serve the Lord nor the Church. On a personal level, if turmoil and harsh angry, bitter arguments and dissension is the daily life you are living then it is clear….it is CLEAR you are not living in the Spirit. He is too grieved and offended to be the help and aide we all so desperately need.
For peace to rule in your life, Christ must first rule in your hearts!
Some history: Acts 23:6-10
Paul in Jerusalem (21:15) finds himself before the Sanhedrin which was comprised of both Pharisees and Saducees with Scribes in attendance. As the Bible account unfolds, Paul sides, as a Pharisee, with the other Pharisees and a riot breaks out in the council chambers! It was mass confusion. Clamor!
Application: Within Paul’s religious community, there was obviously a passionate division on three major doctrinal position concerning the resurrection, angels and spirits. These were the points of separation and contention. There was a strong division and each member wanted to have their voice heard and all unity fell into chaos and disorder.
Our text is written TO Christians in Ephesus generally but addressed specific personal behaviors. When the Holy Spirit is grieved, offended, in the individual Christian life, He is offended in the Church as a body and the grieved Holy Spirit gives way to chaos in the Church.
Definition: Clamor- A loud continuous outcry for attention. It is the confusing and intense use of the human voice that relays the message, “Me, me, me, me!”
Note: Our word, clamor, both here and in Acts 23:9 is an onomatopoeia. The human vocalization (here) of the call of a Raven or group of ravens (not Crows).
* A group of crows is called a “murder.”
* A group of Ravens is called an “Unkindness.”- Interesting!!
The unkind behavior of speaking leads naturally from chaos and confusion to calamity. so much an be lost in the chaos and calamity of clamor.
* Clarity is lost- to the fog of noise
* Companionship is lost- you can be in the same room but not in the same place.
* Charity is lost- Which is the greatest loss of all since “Charity is the greatest of these.”
Acts 21:30-34 Paul had great experience with the unkindness of clamor.
Clamor is:
* Self-seeking
* Self-promoting
* Self-exalting
Thought: Even though clamor is comfortable in the company of the other 4 horsemen, he is perfectly able to bring confusion and calamity into your life and stir up turmoil in your heart and in this church all on his own!
Closing:
The raven-like unkindness of clamor is only overcome, only removed by obeying the commands of Christ and the teaching of Ephesians 4:30- “Be kind, compassionate, forgiving.”
1. Are we willing to ignore the truth of scripture?
2. Are we willing to continue, content to endure the “clamor” in our minds, hearts and lives?
3. Are we willing to obey the scripture and begin enjoying the blessings of God and fruit of the Holy Spirit?
God is not the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33)
* He is the God of peace
* He is the God who brings order out of chaos
* He quiets the clamor in our hearts and in the Church
Selah
Pastor Jim