Ephesians 2:1 You were made alive when you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; NHEB
We know from the experience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, to disregard what God wants leads to death. Thus our spiritual status before Christ is that we were dead. (There are three types of death in Scripture: spiritual, physical and eternal. Here we are talking about spiritual death). If we are dead then we are unresponsive and lack the capacity to react to God. Thankfully, our condition has been changed because God did something that will allow us to respond.
The terminology “once walked” sounds like once we come to faith, we won’t sin any longer but it doesn’t work that way in practice. (There have been people who have taken this so much to heart that they put off baptism until right before they die in order not to sin).
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; NHEB
1John 1: 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. NHEB
Romans 7:15 For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want – instead, I do what I hate. 18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do the good, but I cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want! NET
Romans 8:13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. NASB
There are external forces working against us but we are now restored to the point where we understand what sin is and are able to make choices. Paul’s focus here isn’t that the world is messed up but rather about the change that has taken place in us. The result of this transformation is that we now have a different set of values than the world does (but are still not perfect).
Ephesians 2:3 All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath. BSB
We are not children of God by nature but rather of wrath as our nature is to do things that will lead to condemnation. (Paul is including both Jews and Gentiles here). Not a pleasant thought as it reminds us of the way we used to and also of those people who are excluded because they still live by the flesh.
Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. BSB
Both of these verses point back to original sin and our sin nature that has separated us from God.
Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of humankind was great on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 God was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was grieved in his heart. ………11 The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 God saw the earth, and look, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth NHEB
God sees that not only is the world corrupt but people’s hearts and minds are corrupt as well.
Genesis 4:5 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.” BSB
Sin is pictured here as an aggressive animal that is trying at all times to destroy you. But it’s not just that we have an adversary to contend with. There is also our human nature which causes us to focus on ourselves (rather than God and our neighbor) as well as the pressures of the world for us to conform to what the world thinks is important. Given all of these factors, Christian life isn’t easy as it requires perseverance, character and hope. (Romans 5:4). It is easier to follow the path of least resistance and be of the world rather than to be a Christian in the world.
It is a good thing we have these gifts from God that Paul describes in Ephesians Chapter 1 as the world, the flesh and the devil are constantly pulling at us. So despite the fact that our nature is to do things that will lead to condemnation, Paul is telling us that God has now provided us with a solution.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from God’s wrath. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life? Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation. NET