Walking In The Light

Sex

“Now you’re interested, how about joining the Bible class discussion?”

The poster in the college gateway had one large word in the middle of it SEX. Underneath, in small print, it said, “Now you’re interested how about joining the College Rowing Club?” Whoever designed the poster wasn’t suggesting that taking up rowing had anything to do with sex. They were simply exploiting the fact that in contemporary Western society people are so obsessed with sex that the very word attracts people’s attention. Anything associated with it seems attractive as well.

Open

What is a recent ad you’ve seen or hear that uses sex to sell something?

How did you respond to it?

Ephesians 5:3–10 ESV

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 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 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 become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Read . In many ways the world of Paul’s day wasn’t much different from ours today, particularly in the cities where he spent most of his time. Casual sex and all kinds of curious practices associated with it seem to have flourished. What is Paul’s remedy for immorality (vv. 3-4, 7)?

Must not be named among you. V3

This word here points to it being spoken about.

Don’t speak filthy or foolish talk or crude jokes.

Filthy- to act in defiance of social and moral standards, with resulting disgrace, embarrassment, and shame—‘to act shamefully, indecent behavior, shameful deed.’

Foolish- talk which is both foolish and stupid.

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 758). New York: United Bible Societies.

foolish- lacking in sense, judgment, or discretion

stupid- Lacking intelligence or reason

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 431). New York: United Bible Societies.

Crude- coarse jesting involving vulgar expressions and indecent content

We need to give thanksgiving

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 392). New York: United Bible Societies.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.349 εὐχαριστέω; εὐχαριστία, ας

to express gratitude for benefits or blessings

What reasons does Paul give for this remedy (vv. 3, 5-6)?

No inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

The wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience

Paul has a way of cutting to the heart of the issue. Don’t be fooled, he says. There are a lot of empty words out there—words, that is, which sound big and important, which echo and resonate in our culture, but which have nothing inside them, no life, no truth. Precisely because sex is a good, joyous and important gift of God’s creation; precisely because it is the means of tenderness and intimacy between husband and wife, as well as the means of God-given procreation; precisely because it is the occasion for great blessing and emotional fulfilment; because of all these, people on the road to genuinely human existence promised in Christ must avoid all cheap imitations.

Casual sex is a parody of the real thing-like drinking from a muddy stream instead of fresh, clear water, or like listening to a symphony from a damaged audio file when a world-class orchestra is playing in the theater around the corner.

What has influenced your view of sex?

Pornography

TV

Ignorant friends

Has your view changed at all through the years? If so, explain.

Marriage

daughters

God

In Contrast to the culture of Paul’s day, how are we to behave (vv. 8-10)?

Read . What should our attitude be toward “the works of darkness” (v. 11)?

eph

Ephesians 5:11–20 ESV

11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Take no part in it!

Expose it!

What are some works of darkness we encounter on a regular basis?

Lies, pride, envy, racism

How can we expose those works of darkness to the light, or truth (v. 12-14)

Keep them out of our mouth. We will NOT advertise them.

Expose it when it comes up. Judge it righteously.

What commands does Paul give for how believers are to conduct themselves (v. 15-20)?

Pay attention to your walk

Journal your day

Plan your day

Make the best use of what time you have.

Understand the will of the Lord

Be intoxicated with the Spirit

Fill your heart with Godly songs

Thanksgiving

What is one practical way you can live out each of Paul’s commands?

Journaling is very important in my opinion. It allows for one to go back over the events of the day for reflection of blessings and areas of improvement.

Based on verse 19, what role did psalms and hymns and spiritual songs seem to play in Paul’s life?

They were worship to God and a means for us to speak to each other about God.

How is that similar to or different from how hymns and choruses are used today?

If you don’t want your garden to grow weeds, one of the best ways is to keep it well stocked with strong, sturdy flowers and shrubs. If you don’t want your mind and heart to go wandering off into the realms of darkness, one of the best ways is to keep them well stocked with wise and thankful themes, so that words of comfort, guidance and good judgment come bubbling up unbidden from the memory and subconscious. Hymns and psalms today can still provide exactly this kind of Christian nurture.

The singing that Paul has in mind is the ultimate antidote to living in the darkness of immorality that pervades the surrounding world. Yet again his emphasis is on the mind, and the need for wisdom. It is vital not to slide along through life in general foolish haze, hoping things will work out all right but not being prepared to think them through, to figure out where this or that type of behavior will really lead.

How have hymns and spiritual songs been important to you?

Pray

Dear God, fill our heart, mind and imagination with your truth, so we can live in a way that is pleasing to YOU! In Jesus name, amen.