For you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light.
Ephesians 5:8
Into the Text
Paul continues here to explain how and why believers are to live differently from the rest of the world. In this passage, he gives a warning to be on guard against the deceitfulness of sin, or things of darkness, and to instead be light.
From the very beginning, in Genesis 3, Satan has been trying to pull people away from God. He does this through crafty speech and lies. He has not changed his tactics, and we fight the same battle today.
Our world today tries to tell us that our sin isn’t that bad. It’s not that bad to share a “prayer request” with someone when really we want to talk about something we’ve heard, which is gossip. It’s really not that bad to skip out on gathering with other believers in the church. After all, you’ve had a busy week and need to prioritize rest. It’s not that bad to get angry at annoying people. After all, they were rude to you in the first place.
These compromises and justifications of sin are acts of darkness. As children of God, we have been changed by the light of Christ. Darkness and light are complete opposites and can have no place with one another.
This does not mean that we completely remove ourselves from the world. We still need to share the light of Christ with others. However, we have to be on guard so that we keep ourselves from getting caught in the darkness.
You are light. Let your light shine for others to see!
Prayer
Jesus, thank you that you are my source of light. Help me to be on guard against the sin and darkness that wants to keep me from you. May my life be a reflection of you each and every day. Amen.