Desensitized to Christ to live by sensual comforts.

Ephesians 4:17-32
Ephesians 5:1-7

• Desensitized to Live through Sensuality.
• Way of Christ is not Through Sensual Enhancement.
• Choosing sensuality over Christ Jesus is idolatry.
• Behaviors to Separate Ourselves From.

Desensitized to live through sensuality.
“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, 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; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” Ephesians 4:17-19

The “rest of the Gentiles” were the other Gentiles [non-Jewish population] that continued in their unbelief of Jesus as the Christ and Son of God. The Gentiles that Paul was ministering to were serving God through Jesus Christ in the presence of the Holy Spirit. The unbelieving Gentiles were pointless in their way of thinking, having their mind rooted in sensual desires. Because their mind was clouded with sensuality, their understanding of the way of Christ Jesus was darkened. They were alienated from God, from living life in the presence of the Holy Spirit because of the ignorance that was in them. The pleasures of the flesh caused them to shun the presence of the Holy Spirit in their life. The treasure of their heart was sexual gratification, turning their conscience hard against the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They gave themselves over to lewdness, which is to flaunt sexuality and to make sensual pleasures the focus of their pathway in life. To work all spiritual uncleanness with greediness for the profits brought from that corruption.

When people make sensuality, the pleasures of the flesh, and sexual gratification the center of who they are, they become hardened to belief in God the Creator, the need for the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ, and do not want the presence of the Holy Spirit to be part of who they are. Their conscience becomes hardened as the spirit becomes hardened against the Spirit of Christ. The intent of the beast, that has power over physiology to give people what to feel and think, thrives on giving people sensual pleasure in order to focus their thoughts and feelings on the pleasures of the flesh. By doing that, people begin to desire the things that please the flesh as they harden themselves against the Holy Spirit. As they become centered on worldly pleasures and comforts, they become willing to welcome in the beast that gives them what to say, do, think, and feel. Their understanding of God the Creator becomes darkened, as they are alienated from the life found in Him. They are filled with ignorance, being blind to the message of the Cross, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Way of Christ is not through sensual comforts and pleasures.
“But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:20-24

For many of us who have been born-again through Jesus Christ, we know the life we had before Him, where we either encouraged casual sex in some way, or condoned it in the behaviors of others. And we would always want to flaunt our sexiness or flirtatiousness in one way or another. After beginning to live our life for Jesus Christ, now we can testify of how our living for sensual pleasures and sexual gratification leads down a completely different path than living in the presence of the Holy Spirit. We have not learned Christ through sensuality but have come to Him through the Gospel message. We know how putting sensuality at the center of our life corrupts the spiritual connection we have with Jesus Christ. We have learned that living by the pleasures and comforts of the flesh is deceitful, it seems harmless but leads to a hardened heart against belief in God, our need for Jesus Christ, and our desire to make the Holy Spirit part of who we are. We have been renewed in the spirit of our mind and have put on the new person which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

Choosing sensuality over Christ Jesus is idolatry.
“For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:5-7

Fornicators are those who live for sexual encounters as they leave behind any desire of devotion to God, through Jesus Christ, in the presence of the Holy Spirit. They are spiritually unclean and not able to live in the presence of the Holy Spirit as they speak against Christ Jesus and refuse to make Him Lord of their life. They covet worldly comforts, sensual pleasures, and are eager to commit idolatry by living for the beast that gives them what to feel, do, think, and say. They do not have a place in the eternal Kingdom of Christ and God. Do not be deceived by those who make their lifestyle look appealing, “…having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:5. Because of these things, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not be part of them.

“…be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Behaviors to Separate Myself From.
Ephesians 4:25-32 and 5:3-4

The following is a list of behaviors that I need to avoid so that I can continue to present myself as a testimony to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I might not be able to verbally present the testimony of Jesus Christ and may not get anywhere with all the hours of blogging, but my behavior can be a light to the world. Just the behavior of a Christian sets us apart from those who live by sensuality comforts and pleasures. I should never do anything to grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom I am sealed for the day of redemption. I must be kind and compassionate to others and forgiving of each other just as Christ forgave me. My heart should be filled with thankfulness according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Stop putting forth falsehoods and speak truthfully to others. Especially concerning God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
• I and all Christians are members of Christ’s body so relate to others as such.
• When I’m angry, don’t violate the Spirit of Jesus Christ and endeavor to resolve any anger before nightfall.
• Do not allow Satan to get a foothold through sin to destroy the Spirit of Christ.
• Don’t take away from others in any way at all, instead find something useful to do with my hands to be able to contribute something to others. Like typing blogs.
• If I can’t say something that is compatible to the Spirit of Jesus Christ, then I won’t say it. No unwholesome talk should be coming from my mouth. I must say things that are helpful for building others up according to what they need. This is to build them up through the Gospel but not through sensual stroking of their egos,
• The words that I speak should be helpful to those who are listening, helpful in a way that is compatible to the Gospel.
• I have to get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and every form of slander. Nowadays, all of those things are a sure way into jail or a mental health facility. This present system that rules by the beast, that gives people what to feel, do, say, and think has a form of Godliness but denies the power of God.
• I must not have any sexual immorality, which is something that is used to “oil the gears” when enticing others to live for the beast.
• I mustn’t have impurity and greed because that would be used to twist my arm to coerce me to live against God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
• I mustn’t engage in foolish talk, nor obscenity, nor course joking, because that would put me in fellowship with those who live against Jesus Christ.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11