Skip to main content

Ephesians 4:19

Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
(NIV)
When a person is given over to futile thinking, the result is to lose sensitivity. In the King James, losing all sensitivity is translated as "to be past feeling" and the New American Standard translates it as, "to become callous." I believe that the reason for this is because the person who thinks in this way begins to turn inward. Seeking truth within themselves and to focus on how they feel about everything.

The word could also be translated as "beyond pain" so they have stopped feeling the trauma that sin has caused in this world which has resulted in death and pain and suffering. They have also stopped feeling the pricks of the Holy Spirit, so to seek new feeling they begin to indulge in what they believe will bring them joy. Whatever they lust for, they go for. And the lust keeps building, going into new areas all of the time.

Even though this is clearly describing one who is lost, if you are a Christian, you also need to be aware of futile thinking. Even though Christ will perform His work in us, I believe that we can slow that work down when our mind is not right. It will lead us into bouts with worldliness and lust.
Labels:

Comments

  1. Anonymous7/12/2007 9:09 AM

    .......that's a familiar merry-go-round. I'm amazed at how many times
    I've let myself go down this path.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Please add some additional commentary to this verse. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Popular posts from this blog

Hebrews 11:23

By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. (NIV) My first thought when I read this was, "Well, what parent doesn't think that?" Most parents think that their child is no ordinary child those first three months. I know that I still think of my two boys as extraordinary. I know that the creator God has designed them in a unique way. I know that they have talents that have been given to them to serve the King. I may not get the chance to see my son stand toe to toe with a pharaoh of Egypt or call down plagues, but I do think that I will get the chance to see them serve their purpose. I also want to point out that Moses' parents hid him for those three months. They didn't flaunt him, the chose a course of action that was very practical. Some would have you think that if it isn't flamboyant and take unnecessary risks, then it isn't fai...
Post a Comment
Continue Reading »

Psalm 139:17-18

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. (ESV) Saying that God's thoughts are precious is a two fold statement.   First, it is a statement of reality.  For David, God's thoughts had become precious becaus he was beginning to understand what God was thinking about.   Second, it is a statement of theory.  God's thoughts should be precious to us.  We should begin to put  a high priority on what God is thinking about us.  So, we begin to think of God's thoughts the way we should, which will lead us to a better understanding of reality.
Post a Comment
Continue Reading »

Psalm 84:3

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young -- a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God. (NIV) Every time I read this verse, I get this picture in my mind of the author, looking with longing at the temple, praying for the day that he can be there, and while he is praying, he sees these birds, building their nests near the temple grounds. He looks with jealousy, wishing that he could have that same freedom. The ability to be close to the temple, to the dwelling of God. But for now, he will be content to dwell with God from a distance.
Post a Comment
Continue Reading »