Not even a hint

We can often fall into the trap of reading the New Testament letters like they don't really effect us after all they're written to churches long ago and we're not as bad as those horrible Corinthians.

And the we come to Ephesians 5:
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV)
This is a significant challenge, to imitate God is a big ask, but that should come as no surprise to us, we're told do this elsewhere in the Bible. Living a life of love also comes as a challenge, especially given what Paul puts as the example, the example of Christ laying down his life to save us, that's a tough act to follow.

But it's the second challenge we fall at:
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. (Ephesians 5:3-7 NIV)
So it starts off and we think we're doing well but as we keep looking down the list we struggle. How much of our talk is foolish or coarse joking, we should be building eachother up not tearing eachother down. I know in Australia that was always a big issue for us, and that's not God's ideal. Our speech should be full of praise, praise for God and praise for eachother. Why don't we encourage eachother? Why do we constantly want to be better than eachother? Is it because it makes us feel better for our sin?