This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 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; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Ephesians 4:17-19)
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus, to people who were Gentiles (non-Jews), and he's telling them not to act like the rest of the Gentiles. When we become Christians, accept Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we may look the same, sound the same, live the same place, but we have been changed. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (II Corinthians 5:17)
The Truth is Jesus stands at the door of EVERYONE's heart and says, "I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him..." (Revelations 3:20) "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:25) Some people just love their love their life more than answering the call of God to salvation, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. They prefer the temporary, the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, not fully comprehending that eternity lasts forever; and the life decision we make not will determine where we spend our eternal existence, either in the new heaven and new earth (Revelations 21) or the lake of fire (Revelations 20).
But we who are Christians are to no longer walk as the rest of the world does. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:20-24)
Jesus prayed to God on His disciples and our behalf, and he said, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:17) He asked God to sanctify, set us apart by His truth. What is the Truth? In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-2, 14) God's Word is Truth! Christ Jesus is the Word of God in the flesh! The Truth is in Jesus!
Therefore, if we want to be renewed in the spirit of our mind, and that we put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness, we have to spend time with the Word of God and studying the Word of God, then we have to believe the Word of God! If the Word of God says to do certain things and not do other things, we have to obey Him. But how, when we all have tried with the best intentions to change ourselves, and over and over again we fail? Because we no longer ...walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ... For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ... if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:1, 5, 11)
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” [Zechariah 8:16] for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: [Psalm 4:4] do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (Ephesians 4:25-29)
Well, that's a short to do list, but very hard to do for most of us, except that we are filled with the Holy Spirit, so we can do every single one of them: tell the truth - because the devil is a liar and the father of it (John 8:44) In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God,... (I John 3:10); let go of anger, quickly, before we give the devil access to our minds - submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7); don't steal, but work for what we need, so that we can be in a position to help others - If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (II Thessalonians 3:10) We are to be lenders, not borrowers (Proverbs 22:7); make sure we speak good words that build others up and are pleasant to the hearers - Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. (James 3:10)
These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:16-19) If we want to please God and represent Christ the way we should, we must allow the Holy Spirit to take over in our lives. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:30-32) AMEN!
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