Be Sweet – Don’t Stink (Eph 5:5-8)

[Eph 5:5-8; Nahum 1:2]

Ephesians 5 starts with Paul telling us to walk in love. “Be imitators of God,” – God is love, so we should walk in love, “as His dear children.” Jesus loved us and gave himself for us as a sweet-smelling sacrifice, we should likewise walk with Him. Then we are given a list stinky things we should not be or do.

[5:5-8] (NKJV) –For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any 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 be partakers with them. [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

False teachers may say that you can be a Christian and live in habitual, deliberate sin; but Paul calls these teachings “empty [vain] words.” Compare vv. 5-6 with the works of the flesh listed at (Gal 5:19-21) and 1Cor 6:9-11.

Eph 5:7-8 (NKJV) –Therefore do not be partakers with them. [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

Sin doesn’t make Christians sinners, any more than good behavior makes sinners saints. Paul explains this in Romans chapter 6.

It is important to be holy, but not so that we can be accepted by God. God accepts us based on our faith in Christ. However, a lack of holiness is a bad witness and invites the enemy into our lives. The devil will hold us captive as a slave if we yield to him.

If you have done some really stinky things in the past, the devil will attempt to work through people to harass you for the rest of your life. Thoughts will come that tell you that you cannot do anything for God because of your past. The key is to repent and keep sin in your past. God forgives those who repent and get back on track. It’s time for you to get busy and do more of God’s will!

So Paul was stating the characteristics of unbelievers here, telling the Christians not to act like them.

[5:6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

v.6 This is the same as Colossians 3:6. The children of disobedience are unbelievers.

“Disobedience” in this verse and in Colossians 3:6, means “disbelief (obstinate and rebellious).” This is not about sinning because of weakness, but this describes a person who is unregenerate and rebellious in sin.

Notice that God’s wrath comes on “the sons of disobedience.” This is a picture of unbelievers, and Nahum tells us that God reserves wrath for His enemies.

Nahum 1:2 (NKJV) –God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies.

Whenever I read Nahum, I think of the city on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus spent most of His ministry. Capernaum means the city of Nahum.

God’s Word is a joy to study, and Jesus is coming, so look busy.

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond