It Starts Small

⁷ Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. ¹⁹ They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more.

Ephesians 4:17-19

Walk.

In Ephesians 4:1, Paul commanded the Ephesians to walk.

4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,

Ephesians 4:1

Walk boldly in a manner worthy of the incredible calling to which you have been summoned! Walking isn’t merely a motion. It’s a vibrant action verb. It serves as a powerful reminder that a believer’s life pulsates with purpose and energy. Following Jesus transcends mere belief or thought; it demands action, it ignites fervor! When we’re instructed to “walk” in a certain way, it’s a passionate call to embody that way of life. Each day, believers are called to fervently live out the transformative teachings of Jesus in every facet of their existence. This includes at home, in the workplace, throughout school. It also includes private moments and being in the public eye.

Gentiles

In this powerful context, the term “Gentile” passionately evokes the image of the pagan and the unbeliever. Indeed, the majority of Gentiles were fervent in their disbelief and their pagan practices. It’s crucial to understand. While “Gentiles” can sometimes encompass a broader meaning, in this riveting case, it unmistakably resonates with the essence of the unbeliever.

in the futility of their thoughts

¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.

Ephesians 4:18

Unbelievers often regard themselves as the epitome of intelligence, rationality, and logic. They convince themselves that their disbelief in Jesus and His miraculous resurrection is rooted in reason. This same mindset fuels the skepticism of many towards God in our times. Their so-called logic and reasoning are held in high esteem. However, this logic actually leads them away from the divine. It does not draw them closer to faith. They become prideful in their thinking and focus their mind on devising schemes chasing after money and power.

²⁰ For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. ²¹ For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. ²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools

Romans 1:20-22

People who deny God may proclaim their wisdom, yet in reality, they reveal their foolishness and fall into meaningless speculations. It may seem harsh to assert this, but the gravest error one can commit is to reject their Creator. God has blessed us with the gift of intellect and rational thought. It is our duty to use these gifts for His glory. We should not use them for our selfish desires. We must harness the academic and creative talents He has bestowed upon us. We should serve Him with fervor. We should strive to fulfill our true purpose rather than seeking our own gain.

Excluded

We witnessed just a couple of chapters ago that the Gentiles were cast out from God’s beloved family. They were treated as mere strangers and foreigners. But why? Because they were oblivious to His presence! They lacked any genuine relationship with Him. The scant knowledge they had of God was revealed through the wonders of creation. They did not embrace this knowledge. Instead, they rejected it, which caused their hearts to become callous. To be hardened means to become morally numb. Just like Pharaoh, they stubbornly refused to heed God’s powerful command to release the Israelites. They willingly turned away from righteousness. They shunned the truth. Observe how this hardening of hearts and moral insensitivity inevitably spirals into a cascade of horrific deeds. In Romans 1, we discover that these individuals aren’t merely testing the waters of sin. They surrender themselves completely. They move step by deliberate step. They move ever further away from God.

Paul tells us that there is a progression of deliberately stepping away from God.

Over looking evil.
Permitting evil.
Legalize evil.
Persecute those who call it evil.

I heard a pastor say that most often, those claiming a sin is not sin, is the very person practicing that sin openly or in secret.

In verses 18-19, Paul paints a stark and haunting portrait of the old way of life.

Reflection Moment: What things did you practice in your old life that were blatant sin that you defended? Praise the Lord for His truth!

They stand in stark contrast to God, beset by foolishness, calloused by sin, and entrapped by sinful desires. This existence is utterly depraved, corrupting both mind and behavior, revealing a despairing reality for humanity. However, amidst this darkness, a flicker of hope emerges. Though the old way of life may seem bleak, there exists a vibrant and transformative new way awaiting us!

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Cross References

• 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
• 2 Corinthians 4:4
• Romans 1:21-23
• Galatians 4:8
• John 3:19-21

Reflective Questions:

• How do the Gentiles walk?
• What does “Gentile” mean in this context?
• Why would Paul use the word like this?
• Explain the phrase “no longer walk.”
• Explain each phrase. Darkened? Excluded? Ignorant? Hard? Callous?
• What is controlling this group of people? Why?

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