This morning I want to continue to ask the questions that we have been asking over the past several seeks as we have looked into what it means to “walk worthy of the calling with which we have been called” (4:1). The three questions I want to answer from our text this morning are: 1) In what manner do Christians need to live? 2) Why is it so crucial for us to live in that manner? and 3) How does one go about finding the strength, willingness, delight, and ability to live in a manner worthy of our calling? I want to ask these questions not simply because I think they are good questions but because I believe Paul provides us the answers in Ephesians 5:3-14.

So let’s begin with the first question.

In what manner is a Christian supposed to live?

In short, the answer is the same as that which we read in 4:17 as Paul wrote that one must “no longer walk as the Gentiles do.” We must walk as those who have “heard about [Christ] and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus” (4:21). We must “put off [the] old self … and … put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (4:22-24). And we said as much two weeks ago.

However, we might answer that way and still be asking the question, “What does that mean that I do specifically?”

Last week we looked at 4:25-5:2 and learned that specifically that meant that we were to love the church by speaking truth to one another, not letting our anger turn into sin, not stealing but working hard so as to be able to share with one another, only speaking that which builds up the body, not grieving the Spirit, and (while putting away all bitterness and what it entails) being kind and forgiving toward one another.

Therefore, as I said last week, that list goes a decent distance in answering how a Christian is specifically supposed to live. However, it is not exhaustive. But, neither does Paul stop there in his writing to the Ephesians. Instead, he continues his specific exhortations in verses 3-14. Therefore, I want to pull out three sections of specific answers to this question.

The first section is in verse 3. Paul writes, “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you as is proper among saints.” This first section, then, contains three specific things we must not even talk about as believers. The first is sexual immorality.

For the most part, this word translated sexual immorality deals with sexual relations prior to marriage. That is to say, for the Christian, premarital sex should not even be an option. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul writes that each man should have his own wife and each wife her own husband (7:2). In other words, there should not be sexual activity outside of marriage. And he goes one to say in verses 8-9 that if the unmarried “cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.” But there is never an inclination that a couple might seek to fulfill their sexual passion outside of marriage.

Secondly, Paul says that impurity should not be an association with believers. This probably has a broader sense of sexual degradation. It would probably include homosexuality (as it does in Romans 1), looking at pornographic material, and other kinds of sexual impurity. This word, as with the former, includes the kind of things that come out of a depraved culture, perverting God’s gift of sex.

Finally, he lists covetousness. Covetousness is an all-consuming drive for more. It can be for money, possessions, power, prestige, and especially in this context sexual behavior. It is probably like 4:19, as Paul writes of the pagans that they are “greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” That is, they don’t only miss the horrid nature of sin, but they are greedy for more of that sin in their life. Such is a culture which does not turn to Christ as Lord.

I mean, how crazy would it be for you to come watch my wife and me together sexually? How crazy would it be to watch us even on video? It is absurd, of course. But we are doing nothing different than that when watching movies that include such things. And such sin only makes one covet for more and more sin. Therefore, these things are to have no part in the life of the believer.

In fact, believers should not even let these things be named in casual conversation. Don’t talk to one another about sins that the world is involved in, for it can create an atmosphere of tolerance and comfortableness toward such things, so that you no longer see the evil of them.

The second section (verse 4) tells us that there should be “no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place.”

We should not talk in a filthy manner. We should not speak of holy things as the world speaks of them. For as you do, you begin to put in your head the mindset that is contrary to the Scripture. Again, Paul says in verse 12, “It is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.”

Therefore, do not speak filthiness, and do not have foolish talking and crude joking. For such does not characterize the holiness of God, the commands of his Word, and the life of a believer. And the more you speak lightly of things that are crucial, the more lightly you will see them and acceptable they will become. That’s why I will have all people for whom I perform marriage ceremonies vow that they will remove “divorce” from their vocabularies in talking with one another. Couples should not even joke of such things. Therefore, again, all filthy talking, foolish talking, and crude joking should be removed from our mouths.

Finally, in verses 7-10, he writes, “Therefore, do not associate with them for at one time you were darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and true) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”

The translation “do not associate with them” (that is with those walking in such ways) is probably not the best, for Paul tells the Corinthians they are definitely to associate with those in the world. Rather, the verse probably should be translated in such a way as to show the prohibition to join them in their sinful lifestyle. Therefore, we should not join the world in sin, but rather, we are to “try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (10).

And we understand the Lord’s revealed will in the Scriptures. Therefore, know what God commands in his Word, “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness” (11), and expose their works as wrong by allowing your obedience to the Word to shine as an example before them.

These are ways in which a believer is to live. Put away sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthy and foolish talking, and crude joking. Do not let the world deceive you so that you join in their sin, but rather learn God’s will in his Word and live it out in front of them, exposing their deeds by the light of good works (13 and Matthew 5:16).

Why is it so crucial that we live this way?

There are two reasons I see in the text that provide an answer to this question. The first is that you are no longer who you once were. As he did in previous verses, Paul reminds us in this chapter that we are no longer darkness (vv. 7-9) but light. And because our actions should be a reflection of who we are, such works of filthiness should have no part of us. Again, that is why it is so important to remember what God has done in our hearts, so that we might live out who we are.

The second reason is that the judgment of the Lord is real. Paul writes in verses 5-6, “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. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

Now yes, all those who are truly born again will endure until the end. However, our hearts can really deceive us, convincing us that we are fine in our relationship with the Lord when in reality we have never been born again. Therefore, Paul wants to make clear to his readers that if your life is one characterized by a habitual practice of sexual immorality, impurity, or covetous, you may very well not be born again – no matter what your profession.

In other words, our works show whether our profession of faith is correct or not. That is what James makes clear. It is the principle that though we are justified by faith alone, justifying faith never comes alone but brings with it obedience to the commands of God.

Therefore, you should fight sin as if it is that which might show that you were never truly born again. Brothers and sisters, do not ever walk into sin lightly. Sin is so much more serious than we so often treat it.

How do we live in this manner?

I want to list a two-part answer to this question. The first is that we should renew our minds to who we are and what God has commanded of us in his Word. Again, Paul tells us that we have risen from the dead (spiritually) and that we are to discern what is pleasing to the Lord (7, 10, and 13). Therefore, it is needful for us to renew our minds constantly to the reality who we are and to study constantly the Word of God so as to know God’s commands and fill our minds with them.

It is easy to adapt to the world’s mindset without renewal of your mind daily. After all, doesn’t it at times make sense to you, “Hey, this body is just flesh and blood, your well-being, your soul, really is not affected by your body. So isn’t sexual immorality just something minor for spiritual matters.” This is absolutely the thought of the world. But what does Scripture say? Paul writes to the Corinthians, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but he sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). Therefore, renew your mind to the Word that you may daily know and obey the good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God (Romans 12:1-2).

And finally, fight to find your soul satisfied in God. I say that because of the antithesis Paul uses to sexually immoral talk, foolish talk, filthy talk, crude joking, and coveting more and more. He says, “But instead, let there be thanksgiving” (5:4).

Now doesn’t that seem out of place? It would make better sense for him to say, “Rather, speak of holy and right and good things.” But he doesn’t. Instead, he writes, “Let there be thanksgiving.”

I think the reason why is because only a heart that finds its satisfaction in God will be the kind of heart that will not get caught up in the continual lust for more sin and covetousness, because covetousness is idolatry (v. 5).

What I mean is that the thing covetousness for more immorality shows is that your heart is longing to be satisfied in things besides God (i.e. idolatry, verse 5). And only a heart that is satisfied in God will not find the unbearable craving to find its satisfaction in such sin. Also, such a satisfied heart will give thanks.

Therefore, what I think Paul’s saying is, “Satisfy your heart in God, which will be shown in giving thanks, so that you do not try to satisfy your heart with immorality and a covetousness for more, which is idolatry.

So, each day, renew your mind to the Word, and fight and pray and long to find your heart satisfied in God. For renewing your mind the Word and finding your soul satisfied in God is our chief weapon in living in the manner worthy of our calling. May we then show our obedience to such things with the overflow of thanksgiving from our mouths.

May his grace be with you. Amen.

LIVING AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT