Ephesians 5:3-7: But among you there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse jesting, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore, do not be partners with them.
God demands a high standard of conduct for his covenant children. In I Peter 1:16 the writer quotes the book of Leviticus where the command of God is "Be holy, for I am holy."
Paul concurs with that command as he says, There must not even be a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Paul goes on to say there should not be any obscenity, foolish talking or coarse jesting. Paul states that this kind of talk is out of place. Rather, our mouths should be filled with thanksgiving.
The immoral, the impure and the greedy are idolaters, and they have no inheritance in the kingdom of God.
We all understand the temptation of the flesh, or of the sinful nature. Paul wrote about his own struggles in Romans 7. Yet, God expects his children to learn to live by the Spirit and to crucify the passions and lusts of the sinful nature.
In Romans 8:8-9 Paul writes, Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyones does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
If you are born again then the Spirit of God dwells in you. The very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, and he longs to help you overcome problems with your own sinful nature. As John said, The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (I John 4:4)
Even though believers struggle with the proclivity to sin, most all believers understand that we are called to walk in the holiness of God. However, there are people who claim life in Christ, yet they are not believers, and they seek to lead believers into a lifestyle which is contrary to the Word of God.
Paul spoke about this issues in his farewell address to the Ephesian elders found in Acts 20:29-30. "I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them."
In verses six and seven of Ephesians 5 Paul spoke to the church at Ephesus about those who seek to lead others astray. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
What is deception? A believer falls prey to deception when he believes what is contrary to the truth of the Word of God. For example the Bible is clear that the sexual act is reserved exclusively for a man and a woman who are in a commited relationship of marriage. When a young unmarried couple thinks it is permissible for them to engage in premarital sex, then they are deceived. When a married man thinks it is permissible to engage in a sexual relationship with a woman other than his wife, he is deceived. When a believer thinks that God will understand when he engages in sex with someone of the same gender, he or she is deceived.
When a businessman thinks it is okay to keep multiple sets of books in order to defraud the government, he is deceived. Most of us do not enjoy paying taxes, but we should do so in faith, because Jesus said to render unto to Ceasar, what belongs to Ceasar.
How can a believer avoid deception?
First of all, a believer should maintain a steady diet of the Word of God. His Word is truth. If someone tries to seduce you with empty and vain words, you will recognize the error, because you will recognize their teaching does not agree with the truth of the Word of God.
Secondly, a believer should be devoted to prayer. As you daily invest time in the presence of God, your spirit will become more and more sensitive to the Holy Spirit. As you continue to grow and mature in God, you will quickly recognize those who attempt to lead you astray with vain and empty words. The witness of his Spirit on the inside of you will alert you that something is not right with their teaching.
Finally, a believer should not forsake the assembling together of the church. Meeting together with other members of the body of Christ is God's idea. Believers are much more vulnerable to deception when they attempt to walk with God alone. God designed the church for a multiplicity of reasons, but protection from the deceiver is certainly a major reason. When you walk in fellowship with other believers, and you maintain open communication with them, they can alert you when they see deception knocking at your door.
You want to partner with the church, not with those who are deceivers, because the wrath of God comes upon those who are disobedient.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org