“Put your behind in the past” is a humorous saying today that reflects the apostle’s sentiment. We have already been encouraged to walk in a positive way, in the good works for which we were created (Ephesians 2:10) and in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ (4:1). Now Paul warns against walking in the ways of our pre-conversion past.

Here the word “Gentile” is being contrasted with the people of God. Remember the dividing wall has been broken down and Jew and Gentile are made into one new entity, the Church. God no longer sees them as “Gentiles” (see Galatians 3:28). Our pre-Christ days are described as being “Gentile” in character—what does that mean?

In Paul’s day, Greek culture predominated in the ancient Near East, having spawned the great intellectual and philosophical centers of Athens and Alexandria. Few today have not heard of philosophers Socrates and Plato. The Gentile world resonated with all things intellectual. “For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom… ” (1 Cor 1:22-23). Paul was very conversant in such Gentile learning, as is obvious from his writings. Yet, rather than characterizing their pre-conversion “Gentile” days as being wise and intellectual, Paul says those days are more aptly labeled, “futility of the mind.” Despite the elevation of human reasoning, non-believers are ironically “darkened in their understanding.” He uses other terms like “ignorance” and “hardness of their heart.” Clearly a life of intellectual stimulation and acquisition without Christ renders a person spiritually callous, morally sensual and impure, and never satisfied.

Paul strongly challenges us to avoid that way of living at all costs. Peter writes similarly, “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3). Why live like unregenerate unbelievers? What a waste of time! No amount of that kind of living will ever satisfy the flesh, it only excludes people from the life God has created us for.