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among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Before we were saved we were destined for God\u2019s wrath.<\/p>\n The word \u201camong<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek preposition en<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cin\u201d or \u201camong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cConducted<\/span>\u201d is from the verb anastreph\u014d<\/em><\/span>. This is made up of ana<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cagain\u201d and streph\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto turn.\u201d So, literally it means \u201cto turn again.\u201d When used of a person it means \u201cto move around,\u201d that is, \u201cto live one\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n Epithumia<\/em><\/span> is the Greek word translated \u201clusts<\/span>.\u201d It is made up of epi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cover\u201d or \u201cabove\u201d and a form of thumos<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201ca passion or desire of the mind.\u201d Thus, epithumia<\/em><\/span> refers to \u201coverly strong desires.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201cfulfilling<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek verb poie\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto make\u201d or \u201cto do.\u201d It is expressed here as a present participle, so it could be translated as \u201cdoing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDesires<\/span>\u201d is translated from thel\u0113ma<\/em><\/span> which refers to \u201can act of determination.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFlesh<\/span>\u201d is from sarx<\/em><\/span>, which literally refers to \u201cthe flesh of a living creature.\u201d This word is commonly used to refer to the physical part of our existence as opposed to the spiritual part.<\/p>\n The word \u201cmind<\/span>\u201d is translated from dianoia<\/em><\/span> which refers to \u201cdeep thought\u201d or \u201cimagination.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The word \u201cwrath<\/span>\u201d is translated from org\u0113<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cstrong emotion, anger, or wrath.\u201d<\/p>\n In the previous verse Paul told us that before we became Christians we lived according to the ways of the world system in which we live. Our behavior was influenced by Satan who controls those who don\u2019t believe in Christ.<\/p>\n What he tells us in today\u2019s verse is that we used to live our lives controlled by the lusts of our flesh. Another way of saying that is that we used to be controlled by our sin nature. In the book of Romans, Paul calls it our \u201cold man<\/span>,\u201d and he tells us that we used to be the slaves of sin:<\/p>\n knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him<\/span>,<\/em> that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.<\/span> (Romans 6:6<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n Because we were controlled by our fleshly desires and our imagination, Paul says we were children of wrath just like the rest of unsaved humanity. What he means is that before we were saved, we were God\u2019s enemies and subject to his wrath. Many Christians don\u2019t like to think of God as vengeful and exhibiting wrath; they like to think of God as a God of love. He is both. Those who reject Jesus Christ will one day experience the full fury of God\u2019s wrath.<\/p>\n He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.<\/span> (Revelation 19:15<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n As a Christian you still have a sin nature, but you don\u2019t have to be controlled by it. Instead, you can submit your will to God and allow the Holy Spirit to control your life.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
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