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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 222

"Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart."

Text: Ephesians 4:18

MORE REASONS BROUGHT FORWARD

Paul, the master-teacher, brought in more arguments as to why believers should not have a non-believers’ (Gentiles) lifestyle. In this text, he highlights four more reasons why the believer must “not walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk”.

1. “Having their understanding darkened”

What a terrible thing to have a darkened understanding. Paul’s use of the word “darkened” (“eskotomenoi”) is taken from the word “darkness” (“skotos”- “darkness, devoid of light”). If a person is benighted, he would end up with a lifestyle that would truly be described as “futile”.

2. “Being alienated from the life of God”

The unsaved Gentile would not have the new life that Christ gives to all believers. It is a fact that the unsaved individual may be described as “being alienated from the life of God”. How could the believer emulate the lifestyle of the unsaved Gentile?

3. “Because of the ignorance in them”

The unsaved individual would not have the necessary knowledge to lead a life that is significant and fruitful. He would be ignorant of the most basic of spiritual knowledge. Why would a believer want to take after an unbelieving Gentile?

4. “Because of the blindness of their heart”

When a person does not have regeneration, he will remain blind of heart. How can the blind lead the blind? Why would a true believer seek our a blind Gentile to be his example or guide?

SECULAR THINKING CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT THE CHURCH

If we were to attempt to fathom the contextual reason why Paul wrote as he did, we may come up with the following thoughts:-

1. Non-Christian ideas can creep into the minds of unsuspecting believers.

2. These ideas can affect the lifestyle of the believer.

3. These secular ideas can further invade.

a) They can affect the way they see the Church
b) They can affect the way they run the Church.
c) The Church can suffer major setbacks if it is careless and unwise in accepting the ways of the Gentile, essentially the ways of the world.