INTRODUCTION: It is with deep feeling that Paul calls the saints to a walk of holiness becoming to those "in Christ" - not as Jews or Greeks, but as a new race, (I Cor. 10:32). The word "other" (vs. 17) is not found in the Greek text.
        In solemn protest against pagan conduct, the apostle speaks with authority as he lays down certain guidelines for Christian conduct. He speaks "in the Lord"; the injunctions are not his own, but Christ's.
        As with Israel entering Canaan, we must sanctify ourselves before we can fight the good fight of faith and possess the inheritance that is ours "in Christ Jesus". The inheritance is ours, but we must take it. The enemy must first be driven out. This is possible only as we lean heavily upon the Lord - trusting Him to dispossess the enemy from before us, (Jas. 4:7-8; I Pet. 5:5-10).

I. SAINTS, ENDOWED WITH SPIRITUAL WEALTH, MUST NOT ACT LIKE HEATHEN WHO WALK IN VANITY, (vs. 17-19).

    This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

        It is important for us to remember that we are "living epistles", known and read of all men, (2 Cor. 3:1-3).

        Paul vividly portrays the walk of the Gentiles, in his day, as being in the realm of:

1. SPIRITUAL DEATH - "being alienated from the life of God", (vs. 18; 2:2-4).


1. Through an inexcusable ignorance that "REFUSED to have God in their knowledge", (Rom. 1:28; Acts 3:17; 17:30; I Cor. 2:8).


2. Through a deliberate hardening (blinding) of "the heart" - as the seat of the will and understanding.


1. The word translated "blindness" (porosis) "denotes a hardening, a covering with a poros, a kind of stone, indicating a process, and is used metaphorically of dulled spiritual perception", (Vine's Exp. Dict. of N.T. Words).
2. Illustrations of its usage are found in Mark 3:5 and Romans 11:25, (Also see 2 Cor. 3:12-16).
3. Refusal to hear (heed) God's word produces a callous insensitivity to the things of God; hence, the importance of heeding His voice whenever He speaks, (Heb. 3:17-19).


2. MENTAL DARKNESS - "having the understanding darkened", (vs. 18).


1. This comes through the "vanity" of the mind, which is sometimes associated with idolatry, (Rom. 1:21; Acts 14:15; Jer. 8:19; 10:14-15; Col. 2:18; I Pet. 1:14; I Cor. 1:20)


2. When men reject the light of God, they can only be left in mental darkness - however much progress they may make in the wisdom of this world!


3. To claim that "It makes no difference what one believes, so long as he is sincere" is VAIN REASONING, and can only lead to a darkened heart, (Jn. 3:19-21; Matt. 6: 22-23).


3. MORAL AND PHYSICAL DECAY - "being past feeling", or "to have lost the sense of pain", (vs. 19).


1. In Covetousness, they gave themselves over to the pursuit of fleshly lusts, (comp. 5:3, 5).
1. Being incapable of sensing the difference between good and evil, (I Tim. 4:2).
2. Living by instinct, as beasts.


2. Since they have rejected the knowledge of God, He has delivered them over to the cause of their choice - with all its sad consequences, (Rom. 1:24, 26, 28).

        But Christ, the way, the truth and the life of all saints, has established a way of life far different from that characterizing the pagan society that Paul has described, (vs. 20-21).

II. AS REGARDS OUR FORMER LUSTS, WE MUST PUT OFF THE OLD MAN WITH HIS CORRUPT AND DECEITFUL LUSTS, (vs. 22).

    22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

1. THIS INVOLVES CRUCIFIXION OF THE FLESH.


1. Figuratively, this took place in baptism, (Rom. 6:5-6; Col. 2:11-12; 3:9).


2. Now, however, we must become, in life and practice, what we are "reckoned" to be "in Christ", (Gal. 5:24).


3. This crucifixion must be proclaimed as eloquently by our daily life and conduct as it was by our baptism - when we were BURIED with Christ, in the likeness of His death, and RAISED in the likeness of His resurrection, and in hope of the ultimate redemption of our bodies and souls, (Rom. 8:23; Eph. 1:14).


2. PAUL MENTIONS A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT CHRISTIANS MUST DEAL WITH.


1. Falsehood must be put away, (vs. 25).

    25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.

1. We are now children of God and of the truth.
2. We are "in Christ", Who IS truth.
3. It is shameful for ANY in such a position to act as if they were children of the devil, (Jn. 8:44).


2. Anger must not lead us to sin, (vs. 26; Psa. 4:4; Matt. 5:22).

    26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

1. Anger must be carefully controlled, lest it degenerate into resentment, hatred and murder.
2. Otherwise, we leave an opening for Satan (the slanderer and adversary of God's people) to do his malicious, destructive work, (vs. 27).


3. Thievery must be a thing of the past, (vs. 28).

    28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

1. Thievery was a sin punishable by death under the Jewish economy.
2. It is an even greater reproach upon God's name when one calling himself a Christian indulges in such a life.
1) However PETTY a thing it may appear.
2) However widespread the practice may be among one's associates.
3) We have a higher standard to maintain than the recognized moral code of this present world.


4. Corrupt speech must not proceed from our lips, (vs. 29; 5:4; Matt. 7:17-18; 12:33-36).

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

3. CONTINUANCE IN SUCH A SHAMEFUL WALK WILL SURELY GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT.

    30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

1. By the Holy Spirit we have been sealed - with redemption in view, (1:13; 2 Tim. 2:19).
1. It must be remembered that this sealing is said to be "in Christ".
2. Great emphasis is placed on the necessity of diligence to "abide" in Him.


2. Whatever the outcome of grieving the Holy Spirit, it will assuredly be to one's eternal loss!

III. AS BECOMES THE RECIPIENTS OF A HEAVENLY CALLING, WE MUST PUT ON THE NEW MAN (Christ) AND SUCH HOLINESS OF LIFE AS BECOMES HIS WORTHY NAME, (vs. 24; Rom. 13:14; Col. 3:10).

1. BEING RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF OUR MINDS, (vs. 23; Romans 12:2).


1. "Learning Christ" in personal experience, (vs. 20-21; Matt. 11:27-29).


2. Having His "righteousness and true holiness" (Christ-likeness) created in us, (2:10; Gal. 2:20; 4:19; 2 Cor. 3: 18; 5:21; comp. Phil. 2:6-7).


3. Being taught the truth as it is revealed in Jesus.


2. DEALING TRUTHFULLY WITH OUR BRETHREN AS "MEMBERS OF ONE ANOTHER", (vs. 25b; Psa. 15:1-2; Zech. 8:16-17; Rom. 12:3-5; I Cor. 10:17).


1. Deceitfulness is always sinful, but especially so when it is against a fellow-member of Christ.


2. Only with the sincere and mutual confidence of enlarged hearts (possible only where honesty and truthfulness prevail) may we have a harmonious corporate life.


3. LABORING MANFULLY THAT WE MAY ASSIST OTHERS RATHER THAN BEING BURDENSOME TO THEM, (vs. 28b).


1. Paul set an example in this - possibly to his own hurt, (Acts 20:34; I Thes. 2:9; 2 Thes. 3:7-10; 2 Cor. 12:13).


2. Obedience to this simple command, on the part of every church member, would guarantee sufficient funds for EVERY God-appointed work!


3. We deviate from God's order, at ANY point, only to lose in the end.


4. SPEAKING SUCH THINGS AS BUILD UP AND BLESS THOSE WHO HEAR, (vs. 29b; Rom. 14:19; 15:2; I Cor. 10:23; 14:26; 2 Cor. 12:19).

        CONCLUSION: In one brief statement Paul summarizes, in both a negative and positive way, what is involved in a walk of holiness before God.

1. Some things must be abandoned - bitterness, wrath, anger, threats, insults and all malice.
2. In some things we must abound toward each other - in kindness, tenderness of heart and forgiveness. And we must constantly remember the marvelous grace wherein God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven us.

IN WHICH OF THESE PATHS ARE YOU WALKING?

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW

1. In what new context does Paul call his brethren to a walk of holiness in this lesson?
2. Why was sanctification so important?
3. How does Paul portray the walk of the Gentiles in his day?
4. What must those in Christ "put off"?
5. What, basically, does this involve?
6. What are some things that the Christian must deal with?
7. What must the "new race" of men "put on"?
8. What is the "new man"?
9. What four basic principles does Paul mention as being required for this new walk in Christ Jesus?
10. How does Paul summarize the walk of holiness?