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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 223

"Who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness."

Text: Ephesians 4:19

GENERAL REASONS OFFERED

The first set of reasons Paul gave, as to why believers should not choose to walk in the way of Gentiles may be called “general reasons” (Ephesians 4:17-18). These reasons apply, in the main, to all unbelieving Gentiles. These reasons should suffice to cause the believer to re-consider his lifestyle.

STILL MORE REASONS OFFERED

The text above sees Paul coming up with more reasons. This set of reasons, however, may be distinguished from the previous one, and may be called “special reasons”. We may call them “special reasons” because these are not things that are commonly seen in every Gentile.

1. “Being past feeling”

This description is most severe. Paul must have known of some who may indeed be described as “being past feeling”. Their conscience would have been so seared that they feel no more. These enter into a sinful lifestyle with careless abandon.

2. “Have given themselves over to lewdness”

This state of affairs is the consequence of “being past feeling”. Since these have cast all care aside, they do what they wish. These will engage in immoral activities without any qualms at all.

3. “To work all uncleanness with greediness”

This statement is closely tied in to the first two observations. The person who has sold himself to sin, will actually relish sinful activities. He does not stop at one sinful activity. He engages in “all uncleanness with greediness”.

CAN BELIEVERS BE ENAMORED OF GENTILE WAYS?

Paul’s words still hold true today. Christians can end up entrapped by worldly ways. Paul was not alone in his concern. The apostle John wrote with similar concerns about being enticed by the world. Let us recall a text John wrote in his general epistle.

Do not love the world or the things in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-
is not of the Father but is of the world.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it;
but he who does the will of God abides forever.
1 JOHN 2:15-17

Believers, at any age, in any clime, must ever guard his heart and mind from being enamored of the world. To walk the way of the Gentiles is futility supreme!