Together in Christ: 'Quit It!' — Ephesians 4:17-19

Sunday, May 10, 2026

With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

— Ephesians 4:17-19 NLT

Key Thought

When Paul wrote to Christians in Ephesus, he wanted them to stop living like their ungodly and unbelieving neighbors. Their lives had become almost indistinguishable from the materialistic culture around them. So, Paul told them, "Quit it!"

These Asian Christians had spent too much time living like sinful unbelievers and needed to stop. [1] They needed to live holy lives despite the ungodly, sinful, and morally chaotic world around them. The old sinful life was how some of them once WERE. [2] They had to not live that way any longer! So, Paul said in detail who they must NOT be. [3] Paul had taught them to be different from the world around them. [4] God wanted them to be like Christ. [5] Paul challenged the Ephesians Christians to be holy, like their God. [6] They had to quit living like the ungodly culture surrounding them. God wanted to transform them to become more and more like Jesus and receive His eternal blessing. But for that to occur, they had to heed his urgent warning: "Quit it! Quit living like the world and live for Jesus!"

All of Paul's admonitions and desires for the Ephesian Christians are equally applicable today for how we must live.

[1] Paul's admonitions are similar to Peter's in 1 Peter 4:3.
[2] 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
[3] Ephesians 4:17-31, 5:3-5.
[4] Ephesians 4:32, 5:1-2.
[5] Ephesians 4:20-24.
[6] Leviticus 11:44-45; Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 12:14-15, 1 Peter 1:15-16, 2:9-10; Revelation 22:11.

Today's Prayer

"Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God's grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ." Amen. [A]

[A] This blessing prayer comes from the close of Paul's letter, Ephesians 6:23-24.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

My New Nature Made Alive
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, righteous and holy God, Help me never to be tempted to live as worldly people live: futile in their thinking - darkened in their..."
Rap or Not ... It's for the Lord
Article by Bill Denton
Can anything good come from rap music? Can a Christian father learn a lot about faith from his rappin' son and the rap he wrote to be sung at church?
The Land of In-between
Article by Phil Ware
How do we survive in a place and time like this? Phil Ware talks about being stuck in the Land of In-between and how hard it is and some core ideas to take with you as you find yourself in that kind of place.
More than Mr. Rogers
Article by Phil Ware
Jesus calls us beyond the narrow caricatures of grace. Phil Ware continues his series called UNPREDICTABLE about Jesus and his love and grace and call to follow him in holiness and reminds us that grace calls us from sin and death and to a life of holiness.
See All 6 Related Resources about Ephesians 4:17-19

Illustration

Illustration of Ephesians 4:17-19 NLT — With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, May 10, 2026

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Made Alive in the Spirit!' (1 Pe. 3:18)
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. "
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by St. Augustine of Hippo:
"I have read Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and beautiful; but I never read in either of them: 'Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Seekers, Sinners, and Savior'
"Dear Friend, You are most likely seeking to be one of My disciples or you wouldn't be reading this. Or you already are a part of My family. Then you...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Rejects Your Worship Until You Reconcile'
"So when you offer your gift to God at the altar, and you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there at the...."

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Together in Christ