Don’t Mix Well – Ephesians 4:17-19 (NIV)

Don’t Mix Well – Ephesians 4:17-19 (NIV)

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

"So" – as he often does, Paul starts this point in reference to the last point: we are to live humbly and peacefully, maturing in our growth in Christ being equipped and using our gifts to equip others for good works in Him. So, since we are to live that way, we are not to live as Gentiles with futile thinking.

How is the thinking of Gentiles futile? That they think they can earn heaven? Probably not – Gentiles at that time didn’t have the modern mindset we have. Their futile thinking was probably more along the lines of having no meaning to life. They likely, in futility, thought they could be happy and fulfilled on temporary, worldly pleasures.

In a mindset outside of God, there is no meaning. Momentary pleasure is the only goal. Everything is pointless and the best life would be one of constant pleasure and keeping a smile as long as possible.

We are not to live that way. That way is declared dark and to be avoided. And it does not co-exist with the mature walk with Christ. If you’re going to do one, you won’t (and can’t) do the other. This is a very clear calling out of the "weekend Christian" – someone who lives as a sinner at times and separates their "Christian life" at other times.

Paul is saying it clearly: don’t be that way. He insists on it. Don’t live as non-believers. That may mean various things to each person. It may be a mindset or actions. He has to tell us that because we are apt to do that.

It’s important to be mindful of what and why we are doing things in this way.