October 25
“And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light…” (Ephesians 5:11-13a)
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
Don’t participate in those unfruitful deeds of darkness, Paul continues, but expose them. And what about this word he uses “unfruitful”? Is this how you think as a Christian? Do you regularly ask questions like, “How can I be bearing fruit for Christ today?” You should be. Perhaps that is your problem in life, that you don’t know that your purpose as a Christian is to bear fruit for Christ and you don’t understand the negative impact that you have when you fail to do this but rather instead indulge immoral fleshly lusts. Ask God to fill you with a purposeful mindset of wanting to always be pleasing to Christ and bearing fruit for Him.
“For it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.” If it is disgraceful to speak of gross acts of immorality portrayed openly in pornography, how much more disgraceful is it to consume these things and absorb them into our minds! At least if we were to speak the words to others of what they are doing we would struggle to describe it because it is so grotesque and evil. Have we become so deceived that we greedily pump into our minds what our voices would struggle to even speak?
In verse 15 Paul exhorts us to “be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil.” This is related to being the kind of people who are trying to please the Lord and bear fruit for Him. This is about being careful what we do and expose ourselves to because we realize that our thoughts and our actions do have consequences and can make a difference for all of eternity. It is critical that we as Christians realize the shortness of the time that we have to make a difference for Christ and to use that time to its fullest. But I have to say that many Christians I know don’t seem to have this mindset. I see a mindset that is much more one of pursuing satisfaction and security in this life rather than the life to come. This is a sad and tragic thing, when we have been given such great resources from God to use to gain increase for Him and His kingdom for all eternity, and instead of using them to His glory we spend our time on our pleasures and gratifying our own lusts.
In verse 17 Paul says so very plainly that we ought not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is. I think “foolish” is an apt description for anyone who spends their time gratifying immoral lusts and viewing pornography. No profit in it whatsoever, just a momentary rush of adrenalin and chemicals rushing through the body that soon pass, followed by years of regret, heart-ache, and eternal loss. What a price to pay for immorality! Foolish is a very apt word to describe those who spend their time in that way, first and foremost Christians who do so. Understand with certainty that immorality and pornography is not God’s will for you, and commit yourself to being wise and finding out and doing what is God’s will for you. Stop being foolish. Learn to live your life wisely.