Ephesians 5:7-21 Walk in the Light with Wisdom

Verse 8

Walk as children of light – (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1)

You were darkness…

You are now light…

Let your walk reflect who you are!

Verses 9-10

Walk as children of light…

For the fruit of the light…

Goodness – Love in action!

Righteousness – Before God and men!

Truth – Conformity to God’s Word!

…trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord

Verse 11

Participate comes from metochoi (Heb. 1:9) which means to be a companion with.

The deeds of darkness – We hate the deeds, not the person.

Expose them – Light exposes darkness.

Verse 12

Disgraceful even to speak…

Discussing evil deeds makes them attractive to the carnal minded. Keep deeds of darkness in the dark!

Verse 13

They become visible when they are exposed by the light for everything that becomes visible is light.

God is light and in Him there is no darkness! 1 John 1:5

Light reveals God!

Light produces fruit!

Light exposes what is wrong!

Verse 14

For this reason it says,

Awake, sleeper,

And arise from the dead,

And Christ will shine on you.

Possibility a reference to Isaiah 60:1 or perhaps an early church hymn.

Verse 15

Therefore be careful how you walk…

Not as unwise men.

But as wise.

Literally – Watch carefully! See accurately where you are going.

Verse 16

Making the most of your time because the days are evil.

None of us know how many days we have on this present earth. We should use them wisely! Note Colossians 4:5.

Verse 17

So then do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is. Understand = Comprehend intellectually! We use our minds to understand the will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Verse 18

Do not get drunk with wine for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. Control is the issue! Drunkenness is being controlled by alcohol. The Christian should be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Verses 19-21 Four Results of the Spirit’s Filling

1. Communication with one another.

Speaking to one another… In psalms – Old Testament Psalms and hymns – Songs about God and spiritual songs – All other kinds of vocal praise

2. Communication with the Lord.

Making melody in your heart to the Lord. Making melody literally means “to cause to vibrate, to play on a stringed instrument, or to sing to the music of a harp.”

3. Thankfulness to God the Father

Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father. Our relationship with the Father is because of the Son’s obedience.

4. Submissiveness to other believers.

Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Our relationship with others should model Jesus’ relationship of submission to the Father and His servant’s heart toward believers.

Are you walking wisely as a child of light?