Ungodly no longer...

Ephesians 4:17-27: With the Lord's authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against Him. They don't care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed. But that isn't what you were taught when you learned about Christ. Since you have heard all about Him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness--righteous, holy, and true. So put away all falsehood and 'tell your neighbor the truth' because we belong to each other. And 'don't sin by letting anger gain control over you.' Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.

Today the pastor preached on this. He mentioned how many people, believers included, fall into the delusion that being happy is the highest goal of life. It isn't. I've seen way too many people who go out to please themselves and wind up with a broken life. Many think that the U.S. Constitution guarantees happiness. It doesn't--it guarantees the right to 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'. (We've already gotten away from the life part, as the unborn have no rights to speak of, but that's another thought for another day.)  Trouble is, the more we chase happiness, the more it eludes us. I may be ecstatic over a new car, but after a few months of driving it, the excitement wears off. Researchers have studied this, and it doesn't matter what the item is, eventually the thrill of the purchase will wear off. Happiness sought through sex, or drugs, or gambling, or other vices, isn't even happiness. It's just a temporary pain medication. Of course, people could save themselves the trouble of going through this themselves if they would just read the writings of Solomon.  "Everything is meaningless," says the Teacher, "utterly meaningless!" What do people get for their hard work? Generations come and go, but nothing really changes." (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4). This is the value of a life lived outside of God's will. This is the point: "Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor Him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living." (Eccles. 12:1)

However, when we obey God, we will find that joy is a byproduct of obedience to His will. "But when the Holy Spirit controls your lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law." (Galatians 5:22-23)
So this is why we are to "throw off our old evil nature", so that the Holy Spirit can produce this good fruit within us. I pray that I will be willing to allow Him to work within me.