WALKING AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT
Ephesians 5:7-14
Introduction: The New Testament treats the life of the believer as a “walk.” The study of the word “walk” in the epistles and Revelation reveals that this word is a synonym for the “lifestyle” of a Christian. This can be seen when looking at a Concordance that lists the words and where they were found in the Bible. Sometimes they are negative, and you will find “walk not” showing what is not acceptable in the Christian life. Each Christian should read the verses in the footnotes below, 1 and 2. Needless to say, most Christians are not aware of the lifestyle of a believer shown in the New Testament. It might be good to print them out and read daily for a month, and see if your lifestyle changes, which is the goal of scripture.
This passage, Ephesians 5:7-14, is another admonition to demonstrate that the child of God has moved from “old man” to the “new man,” from darkness to light (vs. 8). The testimony of a believer is the essential principle of the Christian life that God wants to use and show to a lost world what the Christian life can be like. John Phillips says,
“If we are ‘children of light’ (Ephesians 5:8), we will display the characteristics of light. If we are children of God, we will display the character of God. That character will be evident to our fellow men through our conduct.”
This passage gives clear instructions about how to live the Christian life and be a testimony of God’s grace. The section begins with “be not” which connects vs. 7 with the section following, vss 8-14. This is similar to Ephesians 5:1, which starts with “Be ye.” The way given is in Ephesians 5:8 (KJV) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. This phrase, “walk as children of light” has a corollary in Galatians 5:16-17 (KJV) 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. [Emphasis added.] When a Christian begins to allow the “lusts of the flesh” to dominate their life and testimony, they have violated the responsibility as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and satisfied the flesh instead of the Lord. Paul explains this in Ephesians 2:11-12 (KJV) 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Living a carnal life as a believer contradicts the results of the “new life.” The verses of study here will give instructions on how this takes place. We must learn to “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). The word “walk” in vs. 8 is a command (imperative) and not optional. We should constantly be conscious of our lifestyle. That is the character God expects of His children.
- INITIATE APPLYING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT TO LIFE, Ephesians 5:8-12. The simple phrase “fruit of” yields some interesting applications. Note: GALATIANS 5:16, 22-23. The theme of this section of Ephesians is “do not become involved with evildoers.” There is a great temptation to bring the world and the word of God together. This is happening rapidly in the Christian culture. Some think that to win the world, you have to incorporate worldly methods. That is wrong and contrary to God, biblical truth, and His word. That is the theme of this section of Ephesians. The Christian should not engage in evil activities.
- Applying The Fruit of The Spirit, Ephesians 5:8-9 (KJV) 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.) It is important to note the contrast between “darkness” and “light” (in a spiritual sense). When you examine Genesis 1:1-2, it is obvious that God’s creation was suddenly invaded by darkness. Paul was explaining to King Agrippa what God had done in his life, he explained what God had for him and made this statement in Acts 26:18 (KJV) To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. [Emphasis added.] These two phrases connect Satan with darkness (spiritual). In Paul’s writings, he often uses “darkness” to emphasize the works of Satan and evil. Thus, the context will determine its usage, manifesting in our Ephesian text. Ephesians 5:8 has an important construction. The phrase “but now” contrasts the “past condition” – “. . .were sometimes darkness” with the present condition, “. . .but now ye are light.” As a result of this transition made when you were saved, you now have a special ability to deal with the old life and implement the new life. It is found in Ephesians 5:9 (KJV) (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.) These three characteristics are the “enablers” of the spiritual life. The “fruit of the Spirit” is the motivation we have which is emphasized in the Bible by verses like
Romans 8:8-9 (KJV) 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. We can “walk in the light” because the Holy Spirit dwells in us (cf. 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20). Christians have no excuse for living a carnal lifestyle unless they are not paying attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:9 clearly removes any excuse of a believer living a lifestyle controlled by the flesh. The Spirit of God will produce His fruit if the Christian is sensitive to His promptings. Many believers allow the flesh to maintain their life instead of the Holy Spirit of God. It says in Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. When Christians begin to allow their life to be dominated by this fruit, they will find their life is filled with the presence of God. When Christians fail or refuse to implement these principles in their life, there is a consequence according to Ephesians 5:6 (KJV) Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
- Acting on What Pleases God, Ephesians 5:10 (KJV) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. The first word of this verse has an important place in understanding its meaning. The word “proving” applies to vs. 8. The word means “put to the test” yet it can carry the idea of “to approve or sanction.” The suggestion is that God will “examine” or “try” the believer. We may be guilty of overlooking or ignoring little (or big) nudges by God to remind us that our behavior is not acceptable to our Lord. Peter explores the Christian life in 1 Peter 1:7 (KJV) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. The word “proving” has the idea of testing or examination. We go through this when in school, whether it is high school, college, or graduate college, the testing time is the same. It is to prove how much you learned about the subject from the assignments and lectures. Our lifestyle as believers is constantly under evaluation. We need to be reminded that God will discipline the believer according to Hebrews 12:5-13. He wants His children to be examples of their Father and family.
- Avoiding Works of Darkness, Ephesians 5:11-12 (KJV) 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. These two verses enhance the Christian’s responsibility in maintaining their Christian life. There must be a time when we take responsibility for our relationship with God and be willing to avoid carnality (1 Cor. 3:1-3), and begin to act on what we know the Bible says about the Christian life and live accordingly. The first responsibility is clear, “. . .have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” vs. 11.
- INCORPORATE THE LIGHT TO REPROVE THE DARKNESS, Ephesians 5:13-14. There is no compatibility of spiritual light and spiritual darkness. We now have the solution to the previous verses about the “unfruitful works of darkness” which Jesus Christ will manifest. We should keep this in mind at all times. There is an interesting word in vs. 13, “manifest.? It means to make something “clearly visible.” Look at Colossians 1:26 (KJV) Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints. The word “manifest” is used here as in Ephesians 5:13. Here in Colossians, according to Colossians 1:22 (KJV) In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight, here that which was manifest was God in the flesh, Jesus Christ. It is pointing out that something which was manifest which had not been fully revealed earlier (Eph. 3:5). The coming of Jesus Christ was to provide eternal life for all men, women, children, by the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, making God known in a way He had not been manifest, but also to “reprove” the darkness. Satan had been having a grand old time deceiving the world (Gen. 10), the people of Israel (idolatry), and the religious leaders of Israel. When it says “all things that are reproved” (Eph. 5:13) are now made manifest by the “light” Jesus Christ. He said in John 8:12 (KJV) Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) Jesus said in Matthew 5:14 (KJV) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. How can a believer be light? By the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit. It says in Romans 8:9-11 (KJV) 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. The message here is that our life as a believer is a means God uses to reprove the darkness and manifest the life Jesus gives to a believer. The way we live does make a difference. This is accomplished by the “light” of Jesus Christ in our lives, making known the Lord Jesus Christ. The last part of vs. 13 says, “. . .for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.” The next verse gives a perfect application to what has been said. Note: Ephesians 5:13 (KJV) But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Is the light of Jesus Christ manifest in your life?
Illustration: The English evangelist Tom Rees told a story about a man who was saved in one of his meetings. The new convert had been a terrible drunkard and a domestic tyrant. His craving for drink had reduced his family to abject poverty. Although he had a roaring, godless camaraderie with his workmates and drinking buddies, he abused his wife and neglected his home. Then he met Christ. He immediately gave up alcohol. He became a loving husband, a good provider, and a tender father. His home showed evidence of the transformation the new birth had wrought. Food appeared on the table, his wife and children were warmly clothed, and new comforts were added to the home from time to time.
His drinking companions did not like the change. They missed the vile oaths, dirty stories, and ribald songs. They found themselves confronted by a stranger—a man who went to church, sang hymns, read his Bible, gave his testimony, worked hard, and refused to drink with them or waste time on the job. During his lunch hour this transformed man sat alone rather than listen to the filthy conversations of his former friends. He would read his Bible, and the sight of the Bible infuriated his workmates. They began to persecute him. They attacked the Bible and ridiculed him for being foolish enough to believe it.
One of them tackled him with a Scripture passage that is a favorite of those who drink. “Hey Bob,” he said, “how about that place in the Bible where Jesus was in somebody’s house and turned water into wine? That’s a pretty tall story, wouldn’t you say? You don’t believe that, do you?”
The converted drunkard had not been saved very long. He was not a skilled apologist, but his answer was classic. He said, “Fred, I don’t know anything about that. I can’t say if Christ turned water into wine in that house, but I know that He has changed beer into furniture in my house.”