Ephesians 5:17-19
17So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
When I hear this description it sounds like the instinct of an animal. Coyotes have their driving hunger which triggers their hunting instinct. They would (and often do) take domesticated dogs. They have no mercy or remorse. They aren’t guilt ridden or hesitant as they attack. God didn’t design them that way. They are living as planned.
God wants us to live in an enlighted way. I don’t mean in an educated fashion, as one given to books and higher learning. He wants us to live in a godly way. He has given us all some understanding. As we respond to that, He gives us more. (Parable of the talents).
The description in todays passage says they hardened their hearts and become callous. This indicates that a choice was made to ignore the truth. They may not have had the full truth, but the little they had was ignored. When we choose to shade the light, we go dark. Romans 1:21,22 says, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,”
The passage says that when we suppress the truth, we live “in the futility of our minds, being darkened in our understanding”. The mind is used, but it’s functioning poorly and is using bad information. It’s like an engine out of tune. The driver is deluded so as not to notice the difference.
It says that they “have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity and greediness”. The sexual revolution of the 60’s & 70’s has ok’ed deviant lifestyles. Today’s cultural guardians shame anyone who dares challenge these new freedoms. This is further evidence of the passage.
Lord, help us to honor all the enlightenment You give us. Help us to seek it out. Give us the courage to do so.