With apostolic authority Paul gave the command, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6). In context, “these things” refer to what the apostle had just described in verses 3-5:
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Sexual immorality and covetousness are under discussion here. The world that surrounds Christians tempts us to succumb to its ways of thinking and acting; however, we are not to be conformed to the world, but transformed by renewing our minds by the will of God (Eph. 4:23; Rom. 12:2). Paul continues to give commands in Ephesians 5 that show us how we ought to respond to these sins. We are not to be partakers (v. 7), but instead we are to walk as children of light by learning what is pleasing to the Lord (vv. 8-10). Ephesians 5:11 gives two commands. First, do not participate in these works of darkness. Second, instead of participating we must reprove them, as light exposes darkness. These deeds of darkness are so disgraceful that it is shameful to even speak of their perverted depravity in detail (Eph. 5:12).
Yet, today’s entertainment is often saturated with talk that mentions the particulars of sexual impurity and jokes about it (Eph. 5:3). Covetousness, the greedy desire to have more, is prevalent in our society as well. The two converge when a person covets another’s body for sinful, selfish gratification.
Instead of thinking these sins are no big deal, we must follow the commands of God here in Ephesians 5. Don’t let anyone deceive you about these matters with empty words (Eph. 5:6). Some who serve their own appetites rather than Christ will try to cause you to stumble and create division with beguiling talk (Rom. 16:17-18; Eph. 4:14). Christians must walk as children of light, bearing the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth (Eph. 5:8, 9). In the context of Ephesians, goodness goes back to the fact that God has created us in Christ for good works (2:10), righteousness goes back to fact that we are to put on the new man who is truly like God in holiness (4:24), and truth, found in Jesus, goes back to what we were taught when we learned Christ, as opposed to sensuality and greedy impurity (4:19-21). We are commanded to reprove and expose these sins (Eph. 5:11). As we do this, we must, of course, speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).
Jesus loved people by telling them what was lacking for eternal life, exposing covetousness on one occasion (Mk. 10:21). Impenitent participation in these sins forfeits one’s eternal inheritance in God’s kingdom (Eph. 5:5). Jesus was against the congregation at Thyatira for allowing the woman called Jezebel to teach and seduce people to practice sexual immorality and idolatry (Rev. 2:20-23). In love, He also rebuked the congregation at Laodicea for their lackadaisical attitude toward Him and their trust in money (Rev. 3:17-19).
How do you respond to the sins listed in Ephesians 5:3-5 that are unabashedly paraded all around us? Do you respond in the way Ephesians 5 commands you?
Jack Wilkie is editor of focuspress.org and author of “Church Reset: God’s Design for So Much More.” He also preaches for the Forney church of Christ in Forney, TX, where he, his wife, Allison, reside with their two children.