Read Ephesians 4:17-24

Read Ephesians 4:17-24

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. 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. 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.

That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Reflect

Paul compares two ways of thinking in these verses. The first way involves futility of thinking, darkness of understanding, and ignorance, which lead to separation from God, hardness of heart, and a continual lust for more. The second way involves truth that is in Jesus and being made new in the attitude of your minds, which lead to a new self, true righteousness, and holiness. Where do you see these two ways of thinking play out in your own life?

Respond

Pay attention to your thought life for the rest of the day. Notice when it heads down a dark and futile path, and ask God to lead you back to the truths of Jesus—truths like grace and hope and mercy and love.