Ephesians 5:1-21
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater —has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Devotion
In our last devotion, Paul focused on the commands to “put off your old self” and “put on the new self.” Basically, we are to live new lives because of what Christ has done for us. Paul begins chapter five with this, “Be imitators of God…live a life of love.” Paul reminds us that we are called to live for God and to model our lives after Him. Paul then lists some practical ways to do this.
First, we must live a life of love. This means we must give of ourselves sacrificially for the benefit of others, just as Christ has done for us. “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The first thing we can do to live a life for God is to commit ourselves to obeying the two Great Commandments: love God and love others! This is as basic as it gets. Once you experience the height and depth of God’s love for you, He will equip you to love others in the same way.
Second, we are instructed in verses three through five that we are to abandon selfish pursuits. Before Christ, we were being led by our flesh. We followed the dictates of our sinful nature because that is all we knew. Now we have the Spirit of God living inside of us. Now we are free to pursue God and His will. Now we have a choice. We are being instructed to run away from our past way of thinking and doing things and to run headlong toward God.
Third, Paul once again addresses our communication. This time he adds a little twist. We are to abandon “unwholesome talk” and strive for communication that is rooted in thanksgiving to God and affirming of others. It is beneficial to develop an attitude of thanks toward God. Giving thanks to God helps to saturate your mind with things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. A mind surrendered to God is a mind at peace with God.
Lastly, Paul instructs us to exercise discernment about what we hear from others so as not to be so easily fooled by those who would lead us astray. We must be grounded in the truth of God’s Word. This is the only way we can recognize the lies of the evil one and act in accordance with God’s Word and His will.
Though this devotion doesn’t cover all the practical steps that Paul lists out, there is definitely enough to get you started!
Questions to Ponder
How do you evaluate the quality of your faith? Are you able to love well? Are you pursuing God with all your heart? Are you able to discern God’s will? Is reading God’s Word a priority in your life? How are you living out God’s Word today?
Prayer Points
- Glorify the Lord as All-Knowing, Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end, first and the last, Ancient of Days, Lamb of God, Son of David, Son of God, Redeemer, Friend, soon-coming Bridegroom King who is Yahweh, and Lord of all creation.
- Thank the Lord for His steadfast love, faithfulness, compassion, agape love, and unlimited patience. I like to ask Him to “Tell me again, Abba, how You love me. Tell me again how You command the wind and the waves and cause the sun to rise and set. You know me intimately, and You call me Your beloved.”
- Ask Him to minister to your heart and to stir up greater affections for Him that will “undo” your heart once again for Him as He dwells in your heart by faith.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to infill you with Himself and to lift up your head to look at Him, seek Him, and see things from His perspective.
- Pray for the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to cut off anything in your life or family’s life that is not pleasing to Him (shows, music, etc.). Pray for daily time alone in His Word, as well as being in the Word together as a family and life group.
Suggested Prayer
Faithful Father, I am asking that You would empower me by the Holy Spirit to enable me to set limits to my technology, phone, and laptop usage, as well as movies, shows, and music. Father, I ask that You help me to completely cut off from things that are displeasing to you. Forgive me, Lord, for opening those doors and cause me and Your church to only put into Your temple that which is holy and pleasing to You. Help me to take captive every thought and bring it into alignment with Your Word. Lord, take my thoughts and cause me to meditate on things that are pure, holy, and pleasing to You. I ask that Your Word would dwell richly in me, Abba, and that as I speak to others, Your very words would flow from my heart to them. Come and do what only You can do, Lord. Change and transform me from the inside out. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.