This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 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: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 4:17-19
Complaints about the decline or morals and character in society and the world are ancient. This one sounds like it could easily be from todayโs headlines. โOur Earth is degenerate in these later days; there are signs that the world is speedily coming to an end; bribery and corruption are common; children no longer obey their parents; every man wants to write a book and the end of the world is evidently approaching.โ Yet rather than being new, that complaint was found on a clay tablet in Assyria that dates back to days before Assyria became one of the strongest empires of the ancient worldโthousands of years ago.
The warnings that God gives us in His Word regarding the state of a lost culture are there for a reason. But in addition to the warnings there is also instruction. We do not have to allow our behavior and attitudes to be dictated to the world around us. Their sin does not force us to sin in turn. Paul told Timothy, โBut evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned themโ (2 Timothy 3:13-14).
We should not expect the world to live like Christians. They do not have the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome temptation and stand firm against evil. The Bible describes them as being blind. We also should not allow ourselves to follow their example. If we allow the world to influence our thoughts and actions, it will not be long before the behaviors we once rightly condemned become acceptable to us.
