Resist Returning to the Old Ways

Christians are sometimes tempted to return to the old ways of life. If you choose to rebel and leave the safety of the Father's house and retreat to a "far country" of sinfulness, you may "enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (cf. Heb. 11:25). But one day you will "come to your senses" and awaken to the spiritual train-wreck your life has become (Luke 15:17; cf. Rom. 6:11; 1 Peter 4:1-6; 2 Peter 2:20)!

Paul gives warning to Christians who were tempted to return to a lifestyle of living like people of the world in a lengthy section in Ephesians 4:17-5:21. He warns that such a return is "futile," characterized by a "darkened" understanding, by people who have become "hard of heart" and "callous" (4:17-19). Pointedly Paul proclaims to us, "But this is not the way you learned Christ!" (4:20). If you have truly been taught the truth of Jesus then you have "put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life" and have put on a "new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (4:21-24).

Next, Paul gives a list of specifics. Following are things that Paul says we must "put away" as we are striving to really be sincere in our faith following after Christ:

(1) Put away all falsehood, be a person of your word (4:25). Christians cannot be characterized by lies, half-truths, and deception. We must leave these behaviors behind us.

(2) Don't be a person ruled by anger (4:26-27, 31). Christians must learn to resolve their differences with others quickly and not have bitter or wrathful attitudes.

(3) Do an honest days work; don't cheat or steal from others (4:28). The Christian work-ethic dictates that we work to provide for our families and make money to help others in need.

(4) Use only pure speech; Christians must not use corrupt language (4:29, 5:4). Christians must avoid foul language, telling inappropriate jokes (5:4), gossip, or language that is highly critical and destructive of others.

(5) We must avoid sexual immorality (5:3). Christians are not immune from the strong sexual enticements that Satan places before us. But there must not even be a "hint" of sexual impurity among God's saints.

(6) We must not be drunk, filling ourselves with wine; rather we must be filled with the Spirit (5:18-19). Those who live foolishly getting drunk with others will sing their "drinking songs." Christians, however, are filled with the Spirit and have a spiritual song in their hearts sung to one another and to the Lord.

We must not return to the old ways and become partners with the "sons of disobedience" (5:6-7). Why? Because now we are not in darkness but we are "light in the Lord" and must "walk as children of light" (5:7-8). We must take "no part in the unfruitful works of darkness" but must expose them (5:11). The old ways are a foolish, futile way to live. We must walk in wisdom being careful how we walk (5:15).