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Ephesians 5:11

Already, Paul has established that we are to be followers of God (vs. 1), walking in love (vs. 2), abstaining from fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and jesting (vs. 3-4) and instead give thanks (vs. 4). He has reminded the believer that there should be a clear difference between the darkness and light (vs. 5-10). With all of this background, is added “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (vs. 11) In context, it seems that Paul is exhorting the believer to completely shun the works of darkness – to “have no fellowship (share in company with, co-participate in)” with the works.

It very clearly defines the works of darkness, and not the childrenof darkness. For example, 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” In our daily lives, we will come across people who are fornicators of the world, covetous, extortioners, idolaters, etc. If we were to avoid them completely, then we should just all die and go to heaven. No; God has a special plan for mixing His children with the children of darkness. We are to be lights in this dark world (“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”Philippians 2:14-16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16) and by being this light, we are to point others to Christ so that more would come into His kingdom.

But – if we participate in the works of darkness, our light will become dim and lose the powerful glow that could draw men unto Christ. Is our light shining clearly? or do we need our hearts cleansed from some hints of darkness?

Ephesians 5:8-10

As believers, our walk should prove (test, approve) what is acceptable (agreeable) in God’s eyes. I think this means that as we live, we should ever be seeking God to see what His ways are, to see what is acceptable in His eyes. If we feel clueless as to “what this way is,” God has given us His Word to guide us. Just a simple search shows us that we should walk:

-circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15)

-in His ways (Deuteronomy 8:6, 30:16; Psalm 119:2-3)

-in God’s truth (Psalm 86:11; 3 John 1:4)

-in light (Isaiah 2:5; Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 1:7)

-in humility (Micah 6:8)

-in newness of life (Romans 6:4)

-in the Spirit (Romans 8:1, 4; Galatians 5:16, 25)

-honestly (Romans 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:12)

-by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7)

-in good works (Ephesians 2:10)

-worthy of the Lord and His calling (Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12)

-in love (Ephesians 5:2)

-in wisdom (Colossians 4:5)

-after His commandments (2 John 1:6)

It also shows us that we should not walk:

-in the imagination of their own hearts (Jeremiah 3:17, 16:12, 18:12)

-in their own ways (Jeremiah 18:15; Acts 14:16)

-in pride (Daniel 4:37)

-in the name of false gods (Deuteronomy 8:9; Jeremiah 7:9, 13:10)

-for others to see and praise us (Luke 40:45-46)

-disorderly (2 Thessalonians 3:11)

-after ungodly lusts (Jude 1:18)

Ephesians 5:8

It is as if Paul gave a list to remind us of the works of darkness in the previous verses (fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, jesting, whoremonger, idolatry). He exhorts the believer to no longer partake in these sins (vs. 7), as if we were still living in darkness.

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” (Titus 3:3-8)

Paul does not ignore the past, however he compares the past to the salvation and light of Jesus Christ. We were in darkness, but now that Christ has freed us from sin and darkness, we are to walk according to His light.

Ephesians 5:9

Unlike the works of darkness, the fruit of the Spirit is goodness, righteousness, and truth – all attributes of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

To now walk in this light that we’ve been given, we must learn more of Christ. We must cleanse our hearts to “think on these things.” The fruit of the Spirit reveals the work of Christ in our lives. If we don’t have these fruits, it is doubtable that we are truly walking in the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:6

The world – and satan – are so ready to deceive us. The world itself is deceived. However, in John 3, we see the contrast of those who follow the deceit of this world and those who follow God in Christ Jesus.

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”(John 3:31)

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:18-21)

Light is come into the world, but not all men are obedient unto that Light. Those of us who have received the gift of salvation are spared the eternal wrath of God – but what sore punishment will we face if we, after receiving Light, turn around and live how we please? Perhaps we should remember the second of the Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

Ephesians 5:7

Because of all of this (vs. 5-6), Paul exhorts us to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)

“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)

If the work is darkness or associated with darkness, we must avoid it and flee. We are children of light – and must so walk (vs. 8).