Ephesians 5:3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Paul has been spending a good part of his letter so far emphasizing the preservation of the unity of the Body of Christ. Now he makes a strong call to also preserve its purity. There are so many ways Satan seeks to infect the church and rob it of health and strength: sexual sin, impure thoughts and speech, selfish covetousness, idolatry, false teaching, and all kinds of darkness. As believers we must avoid these traps at all costs, disassociating ourselves with them and those who do them. We must always live out in the light of Christ so that no accusation can be made against Him or His Body.
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