Text: Ephesians 4:17-24
Christians are to be different from the world – not just in our actions, but also in the way we think. Paul outlines the contrast in this passage.
This is a Divine Calling
- “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord” (v. 17) – not one man’s opinion; the inspired writers revealed the Lord’s message (1 Corinthians 14:37)
- Called to be different from the world – “walk no longer as the Gentiles walk” (v. 17); Gentiles used in the sense of non-Christians (cf. Ephesians 2:11)
The Futility of Mind
- This is the condition of one who is outside of Christ (v. 18) – without God, life is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 2:17), without hope (Romans 8:18-20)
- What does a futile mind look like? … darkened in understanding (information is available, but not of the right mindset to accept it); ignorance (lack of knowledge); hardness of heart (unable to feel guilt for sin)
- How is this futile mind manifested? … refusal to come to Christ (v. 17); being given over to sin (v. 19)
- “But you did not learn Christ in this way” (v. 20) – not acceptable for Christians; we must not go back to the world (2 Peter 2:20-22)
Renewing of Your Mind
- Those outside of Christ walk “in the futility of their mind” (v. 17) – we must renew the spirit of our minds (v. 23); how?
- Hear – “if indeed you have heard Him” (v. 21); implies a willingness to listen (Acts 17:11)
- Taught – “…taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus” (v. 21); we must be taught what is right (1 John 4:1; Galatians 1:6-7)
- Renewing your mind from futility (v. 23) – understanding (Ephesians 5:17); acquiring knowledge (Acts 17:11); tenderhearted and receptive to the truth (James 1:21-22)
- Put on the new self (v. 22, 24) – put away sin (Colossians 3:9; Romans 6:4, 11); conform to the “likeness of God” in righteousness (1 John 3:7), holiness (1 Peter 1:14-16), and truth (1 Peter 1:22)
