We See, Therefore We Stand

We See, Therefore We Stand

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: We See, Therefore We Stand
Keywords: “blind”
Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation.

Passage: Ephesians 4:17-18a*

17. This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,

18. being darkened in their understanding

Questions

1. What characterizes the thinking of "the Gentiles"? (and who are "the Gentiles" anyway?)

2. What does Paul mean when he says about what he is about to say that he "affirms together with the Lord"?

Practical help

In the verses above, Paul doesn’t attack anyone as stupid or as intellectually dishonest. That is not the point. He’s not criticizing. He’s pointing out something that is true about the thinking of the person who doesn’t know God.

Because the light of the Gospel has not shined into that person’s heart, the sole source of insight they have for understanding life comes from within. And that’s not a very bright light.

People who don’t know God end up thinking that this life is all there is, or that security is to be found in the accumulation of things, or that sensual enjoyment is the joy to end all joys. All of that is wrong-headed thinking.

Life presents us with a maze. To negotiate that maze — to set proper priorities, embrace right values — without the aid of the Architect of life is a pretty tough assignment.

So Paul helps us to see the problem by asking us to imagine darkness.

When a man goes blind, physically, he knows his loss. He is painfully aware that he needs guidance, an arm to lean on.

But the same is not true for those without spiritual sight. Spiritually blind people don’t know they need help, so they try to negotiate life’s maze without a guide. Small wonder so many fall down!

Spiritual blindness explains why we see people of all ages giving in to sexual temptation. They truly believe that the path to meaning in life is to be found in sexual pleasure, either in sexual activity with a partner to whom they are not married, or in violating other people by viewing them via porn.

If they could only see, they would see the pointlessness of those things, but they can’t see! Worse, they don’t see that they can’t see.

Believers in Jesus are to put away such futile thinking because the light of the Gospel HAS shined in our hearts. (If you want to find out how to become a Christian, click here) Because of God’s work in our lives, we SEE. Therefore, we CAN stand strong in the face of sexual temptation.

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."