Ephesians.10

Walking Worthy: Living as Christians in a Compromised World

Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:17-5:2

Summary: This passage emphasizes the transformation of believers in Christ and the imperative to live a life reflective of that new identity, contrasting it with our former way of living characterized by sin and disobedience

1. Forsaking the Futile Path

Ephesians 4:17–19 “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”

Rejecting the Old Patterns

This week we look at the great gulf between the old and new man as seen in Ephesians 4:17-5:2.

This I say - Paul testifies that believers should no longer conduct themselves as the unbelieving world does, characterized by futility ( Greek ματαιότης mataiotes fruitless, empty, and useless) of mind, darkened understanding (σκοτίζω skotizo obscure by lack of light, grey), alienation (ἀπαλλοτριόω apallotrioo a stranger to, excluded) from God’s life. This was due to 1. ignorance (ἄγνοια agnoia the opposite of understanding and knowledge γινωσκω ginosko), and 2. hardened hearts, by which they have surrendered to sensuality and uncleanness pursued with insatiable greed.

The depravity of man is seen in the depths to which they fall short of righteousness of God. At times wishing for a better life, they have no power to achieve it outside of recieving Christ’s imputed righteousness by faith.

This opening section establishes the contrast between two fundamentally different ways of existing - one in bondage in spiritual blindness and enslaved to destructive desires, the other focused toward transformation in Christ. As believers we need to examine whether old patterns of thought or behavior might still persist in our lives and with God’s help cut the ties to past ignorance and embracing a wise, informed walk with Christ.

Key Points:

The non-Christian worldview operates from futility - emptiness devoid of ultimate meaning or truth

Spiritual darkness produces moral hardness - repeated sin hardens the conscience

Sensuality, lust, and greed represent the trajectory of unredeemed human nature left to itself

2. Pursuing a Renewed Mind

Ephesians 4:20–24 “But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

The Transformation Through Christ’s Teaching - Putting Off and Putting On

Paul, after looking at the before, tells us what should be the application of our discipleship. Believers have learned Christ through hearing and instruction rooted in the Word of God. It informs us, requiring us to discard (put off) our former conduct and the old self that is corrupted by deceptive desires and be renewed in our mind, and to put on the new self created according to God, in all that is from Him in grace.

Christian identity involves a deliberate exchange, a true reliance on imputations - believers actively remove the old nature while simultaneously clothing themselves in new character by the power of the Spirit. How? through the hearing of faith - fighting the good fight and finishing well (1 Ti 6:12; 2 Ti 4:7). Discipleship is not a passive exercise.

Key Points:

Learning Christ is not merely intellectual assent but transformative instruction in truth

The old self must be actively “put off”, cast down and leave behind the old man

Mental renewal “put on” precedes behavioral transformation; changed thinking produces changed living

The new self reflects God’s own righteousness and holiness - believers increasingly mirror divine character

The Christian walk involves deliberate exchange - believers actively remove the old identity while simultaneously clothing themselves in a new character reflecting God’s moral nature.

illustration:

Have you ever tried to carry a heavy backpack filled with things you don’t really need? People pack their fears. At first, it feels fine you’ll power through, but eventually, it weighs you down. In Ephesians 4:20-24, we are urged to put off the unnecessary baggage of our old selves. When we let go and put on the right attributes - love, kindness, and grace - we become lighter and free to enjoy the journey God has planned for us!

3. Practicing Honest Living

Ephesians 4:25–30 “Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Relational Conduct That Honors the Spirit - Putting Away

Lying, stretching the truth, sins of omission (Jms 4:17), strategic deception is to be put away never to be used again. In Greek it is ψεῦδος pseudos - falsehoods, best described by Jesus’ description of the father of lies John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

Believers must replace lying with truthful speech, manage anger without sinning and resolve conflicts before nightfall to prevent demonic opportunity, transform theft into honest labor that enables generosity, and ensure our speech builds others up and imparts grace rather than corruption.

A believer can never lose the Holy Spirit, but our actions can alienate Him rendering us weak. In our relationship with the Spirit we can:

Grieve λυπέω lupeo to distress or cause sorrow

Quench σβέννυμι sbennumi extinguish the flame (1 Thes 5:19).

Insult ἐνυβρίζω enubrizo to treat with arrogance - related to hubris pride of presumption (Heb 10:29).

Lie to ψεύδομαι pseudomai to tell lies (Ananias Acts 5:3) see verse 25 put away lying!

Specific behaviors come from the Spirit’s indwelling presence and He becomes the reality behind our transformation.

Key Points:

Truth-telling reflects God’s character and builds community trust

Unresolved anger provides demonic foothold - reconciliation is urgent

Work becomes redemptive when it enables generosity rather than mere self-provision

Speech carries power - words either corrupt or edify the hearer

Grieving the Spirit means contradicting His nature through behavior inconsistent with redemptions grace

The empowerment behind our sanctification is to be filled with the Spirit. If we walk in the Spirit we don’t fulfill the lust of the flesh (Gal 5:16-25). The Spirit’s presence becomes the power behind our transformation. If we live in the Spirit let us walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:25).

4. Promoting Grace-filled Speech

Ephesians 4:31–32 “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Replacing Bitterness with Forgiveness

Looking back to verse 29 we see, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

Believers must be vigilante to hear our own words as we speak, and eliminate bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and malicious speech, replacing them with kindness, tenderhearted compassion, and mutual forgiveness patterned after God’s forgiveness in Christ.

Social media is another world, it is a culture of some good conversation and some backbiting and negativity. You can feel crushed under the weight of the corrupt conversations that surrounds you daily. After reflecting on Ephesians 4:29, decide to initiate a change. Begin to offer compliments, share positive feedback, and, when possible, redirect harmful talk to more uplifting topics. Words can become instruments of grace that turn the tide.

The Christian walk extends beyond external behavior to internal dispositions, with divine forgiveness serving as the model and motivation for human reconciliation.

Key Points:

Bitterness is the product of accumulated resentment that poisons the soul and relationships

Emotional transformation precedes relational healing - believers must address internal attitudes

God’s forgiveness in Christ establishes both the pattern and the power for us forgiving others

Forgiveness is not optional sentiment but commanded practice rooted in gratitude for grace received

This section emphasizes emotional and relational healing; the Christian walk is more than modifying external behavior, its target is our internal disposition, with divine forgiveness serving as the model and motivation for human reconciliation.

5. Perfecting Love's Example

Ephesians 5:1–2 “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

Imitating God Through Love and Sacrifice

Believers become imitators of God His children, walking in love as Christ demonstrated. No greater example do we have. John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

1 John 3:16 “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Imitate

Jesus sets the example, Paul imitated Him, we are to follow.

1 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore I urge you, imitate me.”

1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”

The Christian walk culminates in reflection of divine character itself, with Christ’s self-sacrificial love establishing the pattern believers must embody.

Key Points:

Imitation of God represents the highest aspiration of Christian ethics

Believers are God’s beloved children - identity precedes behavior

Christ’s sacrificial love provides both the model and the motivation for self-giving service

Love expressed through sacrifice produces fragrance pleasing to God—our costly obedience honors Him

Have you ever played the game ‘Simon Says’? It’s all about imitation! When done right, it’s silly fun that draws everyone in. When Paul says, “Be imitators of God”, he is saying, “Follow His lead”! The key is to ensure we’re following not just a person, but the ultimate source of joy and wisdom - Jesus! Imagine that we are living our lives like one big game of ‘follow the leader’.

This represents the highest expression of the transformed life - believers increasingly reflecting God’s own nature through sacrificial and redemptive love toward others.