Put off and Put away!

Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV) 
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice, and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 

A believer has put off the old self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires (Ephesians 4:17-19). Self-centered lusts are deceitful because they promise joy but fail to provide it. The believer must put on the new self (man) which has been created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness, which is based on truth (v. 24). This truth contrasts with the deceitfulness of lustful living (vv. 14-15). Believers have been made new in the attitude of their minds; they are no longer futile in their thinking, darkened in their understanding, and ignorant (vv. 18-19). Believers are new people in Christ, and they can no longer live as Gentiles (those without God).

In the text of Ephesians 4:31, Paul lists sins that grieve the Holy Spirit, and prevent us from being filled with the Holy Spirit. 

1) We must empty ourselves of bitterness, which is the opposite of forgiveness. Bitterness is anger, and disappointment at being wronged, treated unfairly; resentment.

2) We must also empty ourselves of all wrath, or rage, which is a violent outburst of frustration. Wrath is the outward manifestation of anger. Wrath is anger let loose. 

3) Clamour means “loud cry” and refers to loud insults. It includes shouting, or yelling, in anger, which is the first sign we are losing control, and letting the evil one fill, or control, us.

4) Evil speaking means saying something to damage one’s character or reputation. 

5) To be filled with the Holy Spirit, we must also empty ourselves of all malice, which is intent to harm or hurt someone with words or actions. 

When we empty ourselves of all these evil emotions, there will be a vacuum that can be filled by the Holy Spirit.