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Thought on Ephesians 5:1-20 In verses 1-8 of the fifth chapter of Ephesians, Paul admonishes the Ephesian believers to totally forsake the works of darkness which had them bound, prior to their accepting the gospel. They are to walk as children as they follow after God. Drunkenness, sexual sin, covetousness and idolatry was all around them. Some were obviously inclined to try to walk both sides of the road and hold onto some of their favorite vices. Paul plainly tells them to not be deceived. Fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness, were not to be once named among them. These things were not becoming to any who considered themselves a saint of God. Along with these, he names filthiness, foolish talking and jesting. They were not to let anybody deceive them with vain words, it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon those who walk in disobedience. Furthermore, no whoremonger, unclean person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, will have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. That’s laying it out pretty straight, isn’t it? Ephesians 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: II Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Once when they were blinded by Satan, they had been partakers of all these things. However, the light of the gospel shined across their path and they were now new creatures in Christ (II Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15). We remember that at creation the world was void and covered in darkness, until God said, “Let their be light and there was light” (Gen. 1:3). The same thing happened when Jesus came, the people who sat in darkness saw a great light….(Mt. 4:16). One day the light of the gospel shined across their paths. It made them aware of the darkness that was all around them. They became aware of their sin and cried out for salvation. Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Now we walk in the Spirit and we bear spiritual fruit , goodness, righteousness and truth (Gal. 5:16,22). The fruit that we bear demonstrates just whom we serve, God or Satan (Mt. 12:33-35). Mt 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Ephesians 5: 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. We are to have no fellowship with the works of darkness. Would it be fair to say that when we watch or listen to things that glorify evil that we are partakers of that same evil? Our job is to reprove evil rather than to be passive observers or partakers of it. Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. The voice of God speaks from heaven and shouts , Wake up, arise from the dead, i.e. forsake the works of darkness that you‘ve let yourselves become entangled with and Christ will give you light.” Paul is not talking to unbelievers here, he is talking to weak believers. The message that was applicable to the Ephesian believers is applicable to us today! Ephesians 5: 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, The dictionary defines circumspectly as being prudent, mindful of circumstances and consequences. The prudent person has principals and rules with which they govern their lives. This is different from blind legalism. We formulate our rules according to the word of God and from our own experience. When something has ensnared us once, we determine not to become ensnared again. There are things we will not do and places we will not go. Why? Because we are mindful of the snares of the enemy. A soldier is very mindful of his enemy. When he walks through his territory , he is most vigilant in watching for snares that may have been planted in his path. We know who our enemy is. He is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (I Pet. 5:8). We are not ignorant of his devices (II Cor. 2:11), especially after we’ve been tripped up a time or two. Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Because of the increasing evil that pervades this world we are to make the best use of our time as possible. The word redeem means to “buy back.” In order to make the best possible use of our time we have to sacrifice time that we would be spending on non essential things for time that allows us to seize every opportunity to work for the kingdom of God. Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. The wise servant knows and anticipates the will of his master. We know that God is not willing that any should perish but that all men should come to the knowledge of the truth and repent (John 3:15-17; II Pet. 3:9). Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Drunkenness was very prevalent in the Ephesian society as it is in ours. Apparently some of the believers had not totally forsaken it. Perhaps they were doing like a lot of the church is doing today. The old idea of total abstinence has been forsaken and replaced by so-called moderation. It doesn’t work my friend. Statistics tell us that for each ten people who take their first drink, one will become an alcoholic. That’s not very good odds. The first drink or two that are taken in moderation can easily lead to the third or forth that will result in drunkenness. Scripture tells us that no drunkard will inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:21). I feel it is better to leave it totally alone than to take the chance of being ensnared by this device of Satan. Proverbs 20:1 ¶ Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Drinking and boozing seem to go hand in hand with spirited singing. Of course it is important to know which spirit is prompting our singing. Perhaps we used to join in raunchy barroom songs, but now we are encouraged to sing a new song i.e. a spiritual song. Perhaps we can’t carry a tune in a bushel basket, but God delights in hearing us sing. It’s a joyful noise to Him (Ps. 95:1-2, 98:4-6, 100:1). We can sing the psalms and the songs of redemption. It doesn’t matter whether they be traditional or contemporary. God is pleased when we sing to Him from our heart. We can even sing to Him with spontaneous words that come from our Spirit (Ps. 108:3; I Cor. 14;15). Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; We don’t just give thanks to God on Sunday, but at all times. We don’t just thank Him for the good things, but for all things. The things that we deem to be unpleasant, may well be for our own good. All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). Free Ebooks That You Can Download. 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