It Starts Small

2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins ² in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. ³ We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. 

Ephesians 2:1-3

You were dead in your trespasses and sins

Paul vividly illustrates the Ephesians’ stark existence before their transformative conversion. Being “dead in sins” vividly captures their dire spiritual state. There was an absence of any divine goodness. There was a total lack of life. Like a dead person, they cannot rise by merely changing their surroundings. Finding new motivation does not make them any less powerless. Before salvation, humanity is entirely incapable of pleasing God in any manner. Even our best deeds amount to nothing more than “filthy rags” in the sight of the Almighty. What is desperately required is a rebirth; a simple shift in direction is utterly inadequate for true redemption.

Also, a spiritually dead person cannot see or understand the things of the Spirit. Neither can he take initiative to seek after God.

¹⁰ as it is written:

There is no one righteous, not even one.
¹¹ There is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
¹² All have turned away;
all alike have become worthless.
There is no one who does what is good,
not even one.

Romans 3:10-12

Reflection Moment: Our salvation is not a testament to our own abilities. Did Lazarus boast about his resurrection? A lifeless soul cannot claim glory! Our salvation and the profound transformation of our lives are solely the magnificent work of God’s grace. Let us embrace humility and wholeheartedly give Him the glory He deserves! We must not deceive ourselves into thinking we can finish what He has brilliantly started. His divine power is at work in our lives. Instead, let us fervently rely on the incredible strength and wisdom that He generously provides!

in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,

The Ephesians experienced a profound transformation after their rebirth; their lives were forever altered post-salvation. No longer did they walk the same path as before! Paul powerfully asserts that every believer undergoes a definitive shift in direction once they embrace salvation. If someone claims to have dedicated their life to God, a compelling question arises. Do they continue to live in the same manner as before? Was their decision truly sincere?

 according to the ruler of the power of the air

Satan rules this world with an iron fist! In a moment of temptation, he took Jesus to the top of a mountain. There, he audaciously offered Him the kingdoms of the world. But let us remember—a person cannot give what they do not possess! Here, Paul boldly declares that Satan’s dominion resides within our world. He equates Satan’s kingdom with the very “ways of the world.” He passionately asserts that Satan is actively working in the hearts of those who rebel against the truth. This leads them away from righteousness!

The lesson is undeniably powerful. Satan is relentlessly active in our world, orchestrating a rebellion against God. Human governments and culture fall prey to his manipulative grasp. He employs every weapon in his arsenal: the internet, television, print media, newspapers, magazines, and even academic institutions. This doesn’t imply that everyone involved is a Satanist or wholly committed to his cause. Rather, it reveals how he cunningly exploits these channels. He uses them to disseminate his lies, temptations, and insidious doctrines.

Reflective Moment: Believers must be vigilant and passionate in their faith! We must recognize that Satan is relentlessly active. He leverages every resource at his disposal to undermine the very foundation of Biblical truth. Therefore, we are called to practice discernment with unwavering commitment. We must rigorously compare every word we hear to Scripture. If anything contradicts it, we must firmly reject it. This should be done regardless of how many voices rally in its support. A glaring example is the LGBTQ movement. Satan is fiercely determined to erode the traditional family. He aims to lead those created in God’s image to a crisis of identity. When God designed humanity, He declared, “man and woman.” He created only two genders, not the fifty-eight that platforms like Facebook propose!

We too all previously lived among them

In the church, there is absolutely no place for the arrogant pride of the “better than thou” Pharisee! Each and every one of us is navigating through the same tumultuous waters. Every believer has emerged from the darkness of sin. We are alive today solely by the boundless grace we’ve received. Christians must avoid judging those who come from challenging backgrounds. We should open our hearts wide. We must embrace and love those who are still lost. Show them the light of hope and redemption!

In recent years, my heart has been heavy. I have witnessed the behavior of many professing believers toward the lost. This behavior exists both in the tangible world and in the faceless realm of the online. There is a shocking, almost militant “us against them” mentality that has taken root. Aggressive arguments, harsh language, and even outright hatred have become alarmingly commonplace. We, as believers, must refrain from targeting and singling out specific sins or launching attacks on those who commit them. We must steadfastly stand for the truth without compromise. At the same time, we must recognize that souls are not drawn into God’s kingdom through cold debates. Hateful words and contentious arguing are powerless to reach hearts for Christ. Love penetrates the deepest recesses of the soul. God calls us to embrace and love all people. We should do this irrespective of their past or present actions. Followers of Christ should passionately tone down the rhetoric. They should devote their energy to loving the lost. Christ Himself exemplified this beautifully.

carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts,

By nature, this is the life we led before we embraced Christ. We were caught in the relentless pursuit of our own desires, where satisfying our whims ruled our existence. Jesus spoke of the broad way that inevitably leads to destruction. This path is painfully wide. There is no need for self-denial on it. On this road, one never utters the word “no” to one’s own cravings. The freedom to indulge is intoxicating; if one wishes to view porn, they do so without hesitation. If the urge strikes to binge-watch yet another series, they surrender without guilt. If ambition for promotion and material wealth takes precedence, they pour their very souls into work, sacrificing everything! And what of fleeting pleasures? Who stands in the way of wandering hearts? After all, their minds whisper that they threaten no one. The broad way is undeniably the easy option. It is surrounded by fellow travelers who revel in the same indulgences. They offer no judgment for these fleeting pleasures.

However, when a person comes to Christ, they are transformed with a new nature and embraced by a new Master. They embark on the exhilarating journey of the narrow way. The born-again believer passionately yearns to delight their heavenly Master, prioritizing divine satisfaction over fleeting earthly desires. The decision-making process changes significantly. They stop pondering, “what brings me the most pleasure.” Instead, they fervently ask, “what brings joy to my Lord?”

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation^[a] for all people, ¹² instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age,

Titus 2:11-12

Living for God means saying “no” to the flesh and to worldly passions.

Reflective Moment: Consider deeply the fierce struggle within you. Your renewed spirit clashes with the lingering shadows of your old self. In which areas do you find it truly challenging to honor God rather than succumbing to your own desires? What bold steps must you embrace to seize the victory that awaits you?

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Cross References:

• John 3:3
• John 15:19
• Romans 12:2
• Titus 2:11-12

Reflective Questions

• Who was dead in their sins? Just the Ephesians?
• What does it mean to be dead in your sins?
• What is the course of this world?
• Who is the prince of the power of the air?
• How is he working now and who are the sons of disobedience?
• Why were we “children” or “objects” of wrath?
• Can you see this behavior in your previous life? How about now?

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