Ephesians (W8D2) Losing Control
Week 8. Tuesday: Losing Control
PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word.
READ: Ephesians 4:19-21
19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words
Sensitivity (Greek: apalgeō): to cease to feel pain or grief, to become callous
This is a symptom of having a hardened heart mentioned in 4:18.
A hardened heart loses the ability to be self-controlled.
The more we sin, the more we become insensitive to sin.
Sensuality (Greek: aselgeia): unbridled lust
This word refers to being excessive, outrageous, and shameless.
As believers we are called to wisdom and self-control (Romans 13:13).
Indulge (Greek: ergasia): to practice or work, make a business of something
The term is also used to describe a business enterprise.
Therefore, the meaning here is that they have made impurity their business.
Impurity (Greek: akatharsia): uncleanness, lustful, tainted
This word refers to actions and the motives behind the actions.
It is a distortion or tainted version of something that can be good.
Greed (Greek: pleonexia): the desire to have more, covetousness
Paul’s point is that even in indulgence you can never have enough.
Jesus taught that abundance can often lead us away from life (Luke 12:15).
APPLY: What is this passage calling me to do?
We live in a culture today that thrives on indulgence and excess. We always want more than what we have. This applies to our pursuit of wealth, possessions, and even relationships. We are never completely satisfied and that feeds the greed of our sin nature. This is why Jesus taught us in Luke 12:15 to be on guard against all kinds of greed.
In what areas of your life do you want more? Be honest with yourself.
What is your motivation for wanting more?
How can you guard yourself against sensuality and greed?
PRAY: Ask God to help you become satisfied in Him alone.
