Ephesians 4:19
“and they, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecent behavior for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness”.
Paul continues to elaborate on the life of the gentiles that we shouldn't imitate. Verse 17 starts out the description with "the futility of their minds". 18 says that they are "excluded from the life of God", due to their ignorance and "hardness of heart". Then comes today's verse. They have become callous and unfeeling because of this.
Before one becomes callous, one feels things and is more sensitive. He may have been repulsed by things that he no longer in concerned about. This is tragic because the natural warning system God built in us isn't working. Onlookers can see it, but the participants can't.
It's as if they don't care. They used to, but that may have been long ago. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember being concerned. That is part of the callousness or according to Romans 1, it's part of the result when one abandons God.
One doesn't only lose sensitivity, but good reasoning. "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened", (Romans 1:21).
The odd part about this is that they are unaware of it. Quite the opposite, they think they are wise. It says their heart was darkened. Their reasoning becomes foolish and they are unaware.
This doesn't apply to unbelievers only. Christians could also become insensitive. It all begins with choosing one's own way in opposition to God's. It's as if they heard the Spirit, but ignore Him. Thus, hearing grows dull.
Revelation 2:4,5a says, "But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent..." This is interesting as Jesus implies that if we've backslidden, we remember where we left the path.
Fortunately, if we've diverted from God's way for years, we don't have to meander in an attempt to find Him. We just need to turn from the point of error and do a 180. We may have new scars and wounds, but we can instantly have the restoration of fellowship with God.
Callouses don't disappear immediately. Sensitivity appears in time. It involves listening and obeying God. Hebrews 5:14 says, "But solid food is for the mature, the ones by constant use having trained the senses for distinguishing both good and evil." It takes practice. We grow more attune.
If the world understood that they could be in connection with God, the creator and sustainer of all. The one who has the greatest love and understanding of us. Who wouldn't want to do this. The complication is that to gain access to God is only for those who do so His way. There is amazing freedom in Christ, but some things are forbidden. Due to this, many won't hear of His ways.
We get the amazing experience of knowing and following God. It is so fulfilling and good. Imagine the experience of finishing a great meal, we get that as we walk with Him. David describes it as "My cup overfloweth", (Psalm 23).
Lord, help us to be sensitive to Your Spirit. Thank You for the full life You give. Help us to maintain it by listening and obeying.