S.Scripture | You were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, among whom we all also formerly conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Ephesians 2:1–3

O.Observation | Much approach today toward scripture has attempted to make the Truth of God more “worldly friendly.” To soften the rough edges and make God less offensive to people. This was once called a “greed for numbers” in the church, and it leads to countless compromises in order to keep people in the pews. The battles that Christianity fought and lost in our culture a number of years ago, like marriage or premarital sex, seem to be lesser and long forgotten battles compared to issues like abortion, euthanasia and gender confusion. Here, God describes those who are outside of the faith and those of the faith in a way that some may find offensive enough to soften.

First in this passage God gives us details to the identity of worldlings. These are the lost people of the world so much of the modern church has adopted the marketing stagey to keep as their “target audience.” What are worldlings (aka unbelievers) according to God? Those who live according to “the spirit” and “ruler of the power of the air.” This is almost unanimously understood as the devil (v.2). Those who are not of faith, live according to our greatest enemy’s rule and reign. As such, worldlings are “sons of disobedience” who live not in line with God’s will, but opposed to it, according to the desires of the flesh (v.3). They are thus “children of wrath,” as they will receive the just punishment that they deserve for their disobedience to God. (Just as all deserve and yet some don’t receive because they trust in the gift of forgiveness in the death of Jesus Christ).

This is who unbelievers are and who is at work in them. Strangely, much of modern church ministry seeks to cater to their desires and to win their following and patronage. Of course, the goal of such tactics is to win the lost to Christ and the truth of the Word. However, it has been wisely said of late, “what you win someone with, you win someone too.” God’s warning about friendliness with the world and worldliness seems to have been ignored or cast aside (Jm 1:2, 4:4; Rom 12:1-2, Eph 2:2, Tit 2:12, 2 Pt 2:20, 1 Jn 2:15-17). Or perhaps it too was softened due to it’s offensive nature.

So why have so many stopped winning people with Christ and the truth of the Word, no matter how offensive it is? Now, Paul does say he is “all things to all people… so that by all possible means I might save some (1 Cor 9:19-23).” However, it is a complete abuse of Paul’s meaning if we use a scripture verse like this one to rationalize accepting sin and worldly living, which is condemned in the above verses, in order to attempt to get worldlings to embrace the church. Not to mention that we also teach the bride of Christ to embrace worldlings teachings and ways of living that are according to the enemy of the church.

True believers are not to adopt the teaching, or affirm, or support, or participate in the patterns of living that are led by fleshly desires and the devil (Rom 12:1-2; 2 Cor 6:14–18; Jas 4:4).

What is the identity of believers then? We are those who “formerly” lived like and thought like worldlings. We “formerly” followed the desires of the flesh and the devil. By God’s grace that is not who we are any longer! Praise the Lord! Lets be careful not to turn our forgiveness into an excuse to live that way again.

A.Application | What fleshly desires do I need to repent and flee from? How have I made myself friendly to worldlings in a way that displeases my Savior and Lord? Have I softened the offensiveness of God’s Word and ways? What teaching of the world do I need to take captive for Christ? What verses do I need to study and memorize to put to death the desires of my own flesh?

P.Prayer | Father, I give you praise and thanks that by your grace alone you saved me from who I was in the flesh. You saved me from a life led by my flesh and the world. Lead me away from any path that would return me there again. I repent of such conduct and influences in my life. Wash me clean and give me this day anew to live for you. And for your glory alone. Amen.