After Paul encouraged the Ephesians to have unity within their congregation, he turns his attention to encouraging them to not walk “as the Gentiles also walk.” He begins by describing the mindset of the Gentiles (Ephesians 4:17-19). To Paul the word Gentile could have two meanings. One would be “those who are in the world that are not Jews.” The other would be “those in the world who are not Christians.” The latter appears to be the meaning in this context. Paul says Christians should walk differently than the “Gentiles” around them. He begins his comments about this mindset by saying, “I say, and affirm together with the Lord.” Paul appeals to the Lord as his source of authority on this matter. He states his total agreement and full support of these facts as stated by the Lord. Paul begins by saying the Gentiles walk “in the futility of their mind;” their mind is “devoid of truth” and “full of perverseness.” These very strong words should be heavily considered, even today. Paul says that if our mind is like the Gentiles, then we do not have the truth. There must be a change in the way we think. The Gentile mindset, as it relates to their understanding, is “darkened.” It is not full of the “light” of God’s word. They walk around with no comprehension of the truth. Gentiles are “excluded from the life of God because of their ignorance.” Because they lack knowledge, they are not living the life God wants them to be living; they have been denied this type of lifestyle. They are not part of God’s people, the church Jesus built. His third explanation addresses “the hardness of their heart.” The Gentile mind (heart) is dull in its perception of God’s truth. Their heart does not welcome the information God has revealed, which will lead to a righteous life. They are stubborn in their unwillingness to be obedient to the standards Jesus has established for His people. Finally, they “have given themselves over to sensuality.” They are allowing their “unbridled lust” to control them. They do whatever they want to do, regardless of the fact that God forbids them to practice such behavior. It is easy to see the mindset of the person who is living as the Gentiles walk. In the “walk” of the Christian, we should be trying to influence the Gentile to change their mindset, thereby changing their actions. This effort to persuade should be motivated by our love for these people and the desire to see them go to heaven. The Christian cannot have the mindset of the Gentiles, if they want to be living God’s way.
