EXPOSE UNFRUITFUL WORKS OF DARKNESS
From The HeartPublish date: 07/14/2002
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians
The power of sin is in its secrecy. As long as you keep your sin hidden in the dark, you continue to “fellowship” with these unfruitful works of darkness and you will never be free. The only way to be free of sin is to expose it to the light.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Psalms 51:1-3 NIV
David was a man after God’s own heart. One of his strengths was that even though he sinned and made mistakes, like all of us do do, he was quick to acknowledge that sin was sin and that he had sinned. He exposed it before the Lord, asked for and received forgiveness. When you sin a sin and then try to convince yourself and everybody else that it isn’t really a sin, you are effectively living a lie. As long as you refuse to acknowledge that sin is sin, you will be bound by it. You must acknowledge that your sin is a sin and then that YOU have sinned. Until then, sin will control and dominate your life. You must say, “This is a sin. I committed this sin. Lord, please forgive me.” Then God is able to forgive you, wash you clean and remove that sin as far as the east is from the west. Then that sin will no longer dominate and control you. You will no longer be subject or bound to it. When sin comes to tempt you, you say, “NO – I know who you are. You are sin. I will not submit myself to you.”
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the
If you are a child of God, you should be an imitator of your Father and live a life of love, not of impurity, immorality and greed.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:6-14 NIV
If the blood of Jesus has saved you, you were once in darkness, but now you are in the light. Live as a child of light and find out what pleases the Lord. Goodness, righteousness and truth please Him. You can expose your own sin and be forgiven or you can try to hide it and be exposed anyway, without forgiveness. Wake up and smell the coffee! Jesus died to free you from the power of sin. Let the light of Christ shine on you and set you free.
15 Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:15-20 NIV
Be wise and not foolish. Understand what the will of the Lord is and make the most of every opportunity. Every day, choose to serve and obey Him and not yield to your fleshly desires or the temptations of the devil. Be filled with the Spirit – sing to the Lord and give Him thanks for everything. If you do this you will be fruitful and productive and the blessing of God will be on your life.