“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15 ESV
This passage comes after Paul’s writings on putting on the new self in chapter four of Ephesians. There is a requirement on our part beyond merely accepting Jesus into our lives. We have to allow Him the ability to change us. Which means taking thoughts captive, it means dying to ourselves daily, it means taking the steps necessary in your life, it means taking ownership of your decisions, it means changing for there is no growth without change. However, without the Holy Spirits influence, we are hopelessly lost in an endless cycle of sin.
Can there be personal growth without the Holy Spirit? Yes, just look around you at some of your friends who without knowledge of God personally, they seem to make positive changes in their lives. But we are not simply talking about physical changes, we are talking about heart changes, spiritual changes, changes in how the mind thinks and reacts and does. Hear the words of Paul to the Corinthians:
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
That is us. Now here it is in Ephesians four in contrast to the non-believing person. There is a stark contrast to the mind of someone living outside of God’s grace as opposed to one living within it, all though the grace of God is available to all.
“Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ! assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus . . .” Ephesians 4:17-21 EVS
Notice two things from this passage above, first, “futility of their minds” and “their hardness of heart.” Here, very clearly, one cannot separate the mind and the heart as they appear to work in tandem. Jesus deals with the heart clearly. He dwells there with His Spirit, ever-present, ever whispering, ever softening. In the mind, however, resides the carnal nature and therein lies the change that is required. Here is the last bit of this section in Ephesians.
“. . . to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV
We must begin to change the way we think to sometimes not think anything at all! The mind and the carnal nature that dwells there is “deceitful!” It has a mission from the carnal to lead you by misleading you. To clear the mind of thought so that we can focus clearly on the heart of Christ is absolutely necessary! However, not in all things as the mind is incredible! Without it, we don’t breath, our bodies stop functioning as all processes run through the motherboard of our bodies the mind or our brains. It is useful, and it is necessary, it is however flawed and therefore requires a renewing, a daily renewing. We must put it in check always taking every thought captive and giving it to Jesus within the heart and filtering it there.
You are loved,
cj
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