THE BIBLE SPEAKS DAILY (OCT., 12TH, 2024)

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY:

TODAY'S TOPIC:

LIVING A DIFFERENT LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS.

TODAY'S VERSE:

Ephesians 4:17-19 NKJV

[17] "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, [18] having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; [19] who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness."

In some translations of the Bible, this passage tells us not to live “as the pagans do.” 

The term “pagans” might make you think of primitive tribes, with idols and all sorts of superstitions and outdated religious rites. But Paul thinks differently. 

In the quoted passage, “pagans,” or “Gentiles,” are people who get stuck in spiritual idleness, wild thoughts and unrestrained behaviors associated with sinfulness, lawlessness, and faithlessness. The idol in the hearts of these kinds of people is the lustfulness of their lives. 1John 2:15-17.

This problem is subtle; it hides behind all sorts of modern-day expectations and appearances. 

The attitudes and dispositions associated with this worldliness are complacency, the need to be in the limelight, material comforts at God's expense, popularity, worldly fashion, freedom, and more. And all of these are major expressions of the idols, in the heart!

When Israel entered the land of Canaan, God warned them not to imitate the neighboring peoples in their pagan behaviors (Deut. 8:17-20). Jesus also prayed for his disciples, knowing they were still in the world but “not of the world” (John 17:16). 

In the Ephesians verses above, Paul reminds us again that the Lord calls us to follow him and to leave our old, sinful, and wicked ways behind.

What types of idols call out to your heart today? How can the community around you—(your school, place of work, your customers, your church, or family)—be helped today, by your dedication to live a different life for Jesus?

Will you live a different life in Christ Jesus, today?

PRAYERS FOR TODAY:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for calling us from the World, into a new life in your begottened Son. 

Please renew my hearts, and protect my hearts from the wicked idols of the ungodly. 

Help me to be a faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

For questions and comments, please contact us on: 

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or call us on:

+234-806-006-6660;

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(This work is under the oversight of the Church of Christ Ekute Quarters Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria.)