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Daily eMail Devotional
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Ephesians 5:1-17 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.As most of you are aware, I think it is important to understand and define the words in the Bible. For today’s devotion I want to define some of the Word in this passage to help you to understand and meditate on them.
Fornication: Comes from the Greek word ”porneia” which we get our word pornography from. This basically is a catch all word to include all types of sexual sin. Matthew 5:28 tells us “That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Uncleanness: Means “not pure, not always but often associated with sexual sin” II Corinthians 6:17 admonishes us “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
Covetousness: Carries the idea of “holding, desiring for more.” II Peter 2:14 talks about “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children.” Covetous people are never satisfied, they always want more.
Filthiness: This word means “obscene or indecent”. It refers to those who use vulgar words, words with a sexual context, and “bathroom” humor. Revelation 22:11 says “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”
Foolish Talking: This is “silly talk, empty words”. This is using words that are empty, unneeded and unnecessary. Most swear words fit in this category. They have no value and could easily be left out of our conversation because they add nothing to it. James 5:12 says “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
Jesting: This term means “to turn”. This carries the idea of double-meaning or two-sided remarks. Jokes, comments, or words that can be taken with a good or bad meaning. It also teaches that we should keep our word. Psalm 19:14 reminds us to “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Are these things “named among you”. Are these the things that you talk about, listen to others talk about, or do. Whether we do these things or participate vicariously in them, they are wrong. Romans 1:32 tells us “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Aloha in Christ,
Pastor Wayne
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