Skip to main content

Ephesians 5:11: Expose Works of Darkness


Ephesians 5:11
[11] Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (ESV)

In yesterday's devotional we looked at the need for Christians to avoid the sinful acts of darkness.  The more that we engage in sin we dim the light of Christ within us and non-believers are unable to see any difference in our lives from theirs.  We ought to always be about the things that promote the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul says that we are not only to avoid works of darkness, but rather, expose them. I believe that Paul's emphasis here is on exposing the works of darkness that have been embraced by believers in Jesus Christ.  Because the enemy of our souls is always trying to deceive us we are prone to fall into sin.  We can easily fall into darkness.

A godly person will see a brother or sister who has fallen into darkness and lovingly confront them.  Now, I must emphasize that we must be loving.  We are just as prone to fall into the same sin, so we have no place to bring condemnation.  In fact, sin itself brings condemnation.  You do not have the gift of condemning others. Here is how Paul instructs us to confront sin in our brother or sister in Christ:

Galatians 6:1–2
[1] Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. [2] Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (ESV)

Do you sense the love and gentleness that is involved in exposing darkness in our brother or sister in Christ?  This is also a reflection of how our Savior deals with us; lovingly and gently. If you are thinking of being used to expose darkness make sure that you have a loving and gentle heart.  If you don't you are not ready to be used in that way. 

One of the best ways to not fall into darkness is to hold yourself accountable to another brother or sister in Christ who you will agree to let them expose your darkness and vice versa.  Ask the Lord to help you find such a friend.  It is essential.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co