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.”
This is a sad progression of when one ignores God. At one point there was a decision to do something opposed to the Lord. They may have felt a caution, but thought different and proceeded. There is a slight pain of conscience when this is done. One has to change the subject or distract to tolerate this pain.
This happens more than once. It becomes a pattern. What's difference is the pain of conscience. It lessens until it is no longer felt. Today's verse calls this being calloused. They lose feeling in those areas.
Next becomes the tragic progression mentioned in today's verse. They give themselves up to indecent behavior. There is a whole spectrum of what this could be; how we treat people, how we conduct business, abusing substances, it could be sexual behavior and so on. This cements our decision to ignore God. The previous verse calls this hardness of heart. They stubbornly dig themselves into their position.
This is behavior that a christian doesn't participate in. We are to walk in the light. Our lives aren't to be in others faces, but to behave as we normally would. If others witness us, that's ok. Just not to scream it.
As we live this way, it's a protection against evil. We shouldn't hide anything. Secrecy opens ourselves up to going in a bad direction. We are to be open to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Nothing is to be hidden.
Putting up a wrong facade was the sin of Annanais and Saphaira. They gave a sum which had the appearance of giving everything. There was nothing wrong with only giving a portion, but as they implied that it was all. Thus, they were in sin. We are to be open.
These indecent behaviors are deeds of darkness. At least that's where they start. In time they become bold and flaunt them in front of all. When this level is reached fulfills Isaiah 5:20, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" I believe this will happen on a wide scale in the end times.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, withoutself-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers ofpleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these."
Social media is bringing many down destructive paths. It teaches some to be at war with those that think differently. They also had to make the choice to ignore God and the good. Slight incremental shifts from what is right. They are cheered on by the world.
It's easy to get discouraged and think we are losing the battle, that God's kingdom isn't coming. I believe it was Elijah voiced the same complaint to God. Romans 11:4 says, '"But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”' God is doing a work. We aren't to focus on appearances, but to keep faithful to the work at hand.
Lord, thank You that we aren't responsible for the battle. We pray for those who ignore You. Draw them back. Turn on the light, so they can see the spiritual reality.