Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Paul was addressing to the Christians in Ephesus. But what he said still applies to us today. The word “conversation” is an old English word meaning “conduct”. Paul was reminding Christians before their conversion how they lived their lives. The ASV reads: “among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”

What is the lifestyle of one who has not been born again?

Paul says it is one that is given to “doing the desires of the flesh and mind.” It is a life that centres on the flesh, its materialism and sensual desires. The goal of the worldly man is to fulfill the desires of the flesh and of the mind. The same is true for a Christian who lives to fulfill the desires of the flesh: “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).

Yet, it is not only about material things of this world. The “fleshly mind” includes the sins of pride, envy, hatred, anger, immorality, ambition, covetousness, and etcetera. Paul means to say, that before conversion we lived to gratify these propensities, and to accomplish these desires of the soul. But, now that we are Christians, Paul exhorts: “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).

Now, here is one question everyone hates to answer: What is your lifestyle now? Are you still living your life to fulfill the lusts of the flesh? But note this: you are living a life that fulfills the desires of the flesh when -

1. You have very little commitment to God -- you are busy in this life but not in the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 15:58).

2. You behave as if you are not a child of God -- you still harbor hatred, strife, anger, envy, sinful thoughts in you. (Ephesians 4:31)

3. You do not read your bible and say your prayers. (Psalm 1:2)

4. You do not pay attention during worship. (John 4:24)

5. You stress academic excellence in your children but not spiritual excellence. (Ephesians 6:4).

Our Lord refers to a Christian’s conversion as being “born again” (John 3:3). It means it is a new birth. Every baby that is born into this world is new. Paul says it is putting on a “new man” (Colossians 3:10).

Yet, we have to admit that a complete change is difficult. We will still sin along the way: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). But the Christian who is truly converted will make it his business to walk in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24). He will repent and confess his sins when he steps out of the way of holiness: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

How much have you changed since the day you were baptized? Are you a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Peter exhorts: “But like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living” (1 Peter 1:15, ASV). Let us be holy in our living.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.