Ephesians 5:3-7

Ephesians 5:3-7 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 man 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.

Christ alone makes us acceptable to God, holy and pure. His work on the cross is enough; however, because of his work, our lives should reflect his holiness and goodness. We should forsake immorality, impurity, and greediness. Holy living demands every part of us, even our tongue; we should avoid obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking. Since we serve the MOST HIGH, people should hear our upright words and see our pure intentions and fidelity to others. If we allow the flesh to reign in our bodies, we will experience the wrath of God, for He finds no pleasure in those who conform to the world. If we accept God as the ultimate AUTHORITY in the universe and believe Jesus Christ is LORD of our lives, we will submit ourselves to the power and control of the Holy Spirit. But without firm allegiance to God, we will yield to worldly desires and satisfy the lust of the flesh. The Bible commands us to worship God with all our heart, spirit, mind, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Failure to implement these commandments will lead us to endorse a fleshly lifestyle. God will judge such willfully errant behavior. As God's children, we are not orphans. God loves us; therefore, He will discipline us.

Some Christians evidence more outward righteousness than others; they may try to show their fidelity to God by placing rigid strictures on their dress, appearance, and actions. But God does not consider the outer semblance: He looks at the heart. The heart matters, not our outward piety and austere demeanor. The pure in heart remain faithful to their spouses. Fidelity validates the heart's intentions. If curses and coarse words flood from our mouths, they reflect the discord in our hearts, the fruit of our unsettled spirits. The Holy Spirit came to put God's thoughts in our minds and to write his law on our hearts. Jesus is not filthy minded; He does not curse; He does not deal in innuendos or foolish talk. When Christ walked on Earth, He was straightforward, honest, and loving. When we give the old man free rein, we do not express Jesus to others. When we boast of our supposedly great exploits, we lift up the wrong person in our lives. When our unrestrained anger explodes on others, we bully them for our own purposes. Continued wrong behavior reveals our hardness of heart and lack of obedience. A servant obeys the wishes of the master. As Christ's followers, his ambassadors, we accept spiritual restraints and willingly do what our Master desires.

How do we remain pure in heart, upright in spirit, and vigilant in our actions? Paul says, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. (Philippians 4:8) As the saying goes, we are what we eat. If we partake of the world, our actions and words will reflect the world. If we meditate, pray, and worship the Lord in song and in speech, we will show forth his purity, his demeanor, his words. A desire to be like the world and to participate fully in what it offers will fill our minds with the filth and violence of this age. If we follow the world, we will become like the world. When unbelievers cannot readily discern Christ in us, they will reject our testimony, saying that at best we just follow a lifestyle different from theirs. When our tongues are uncontrollable and we spew evil and nonsense, we betray Christ's saving work. Our unfaithfulness and deceit make us like Judas or Peter when they denied Christ. The flesh is deceitfully wicked: who can trust it? However, today, if you have failed miserably in your Christian walk, if even your children do not trust you, praise God: you are not hopelessly lost. Repent and turn to Father God; He accepts a broken and contrite spirit and will not abandon you. He alone can bring a broken vessel back to a lump of clay and make it a work of honor. PRAISE HIS NAME FOREVER!