Don't walk this way

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

Paul talks a lot about walking a different kind of walk once we are saved. It is the principle of separation. 

I know, I know, that is a scary thought. The principle of separation can easily border on legalism. Principles of separation can become limits on Christian liberty. The traditions of men can indeed replace the doctines of God. 

But that does not negate the fact that there is still a Biblical principle of separation. It is not based on a tick list of dos and don'ts, but on a few basic principles. We are instructed not to walk like the Gentiles walk, then the old Gentile walk is explained. 

It is a walk of futility of the mind

It is a walk of darkened understanding

It is a walk of blind ignorance

It is a walk which is passed feeling

It is a walk given over the lewdness 

It is a walk of greedy uncleanness 

These things don’t really need much expanding on. The church needs to walk a different walk than the world does. We need to walk in the mind of Christ. We need to walk with our pathway illuminated with the light of His word. We need to walk senstive to the Holy Spirit's leading. We need to walk in purity and holiness. 

I see a lot of Christians who say they are trying to win the world by acting like the world. You can't tell the difference between the two. We aren't going to do it that way and this passage spells out why. 

If we don't make a difference, how are we going to reach the world around us?