Thursday, 13 October 2016
For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. Ephesians 5:12
This verse is given to highlight the utterly shameful conduct of the “works of darkness” of the previous verse. They are often so perverse and so shameful that they should not even be spoken of. This is a difficult thing in the world today where sexual perversion, satanic rituals, and obscene displays of so-called “art” are made open and public. What was once “done by them in secret” is now highlighted by our elected leaders, proclaimed as acceptable by our judges, and placed at the choicest hours of viewing by the media. Even more, the internet has these things pop up before our eyes by the mere click of a wrong button.
The completely vile nature of the offenses are to be left undescribed by our lips. If this is so, then how much more are we to refrain from them! This is Paul’s intent here. He is indicating that our walk is to be one of light. The works of darkness are often so despicable that we are to not only refrain from participating in them, but just mentioning them is inappropriate.
Life application: While the world devolves into its perversion party, we are to keep our eyes directed towards the Lord, our hearts in meditation upon Him, and our lips fully praising His glory. Let us not have ourselves be caught up in the debauchery which surrounds us, but rather let us have our minds renewed and reinvigorated by God’s word at all times.
Lord God, our hearts are saddened by the works of darkness in this depraved world. The perversion, the unholy religious practices, and the obscene nature of culture, media, and art literally permeate society. The things once only done in secret by the world’s offscouring are now highlighted by our elected leaders, proclaimed as acceptable by our judges, and are on prominent display on TV and the internet. Help us to be strong in our walk, sure in our moral convictions, and ready to proclaim the right way of pleasing You so that others can see and turn from the path which they have chosen. Help us in this, O God. Amen.