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Mat 7:13,14 13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
We need to exercise discernment in this world, for their are some in the church world that are deceived and being deceived. The word calls them dogs or pigs, and some are wolves in sheep’s clothing. We as the Lord’s sheep are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We are to walk circumspectly, as children of light and not be a blind follower of the blind and fall in the ditch.
Mat 7:15-20 15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21-23 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Mat 7:24-27 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
"Testing the spirits" This "testing" is an assessment of spiritual claims based upon the authority of the Scriptures. The spirit of error can infiltrate the church and / or leadership of the church, "Those claiming to possess revelation from God”. So John warns that not everyone who claims to speak under the guidance of the Spirit is to be believed.
Mat 23:1-3 1Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Mat 16:6-12 6Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 7And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. 8Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? 9Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 10Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 11How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
The Pharisees were careful to say the right words and follow the right ceremonies, but they did not obey the Law of God. To preach one thing and practice another is only hypocrisy. Jesus warned the disciples to beware of the doctrine, teaching of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Acts 17:10,11 10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
The preaching of Paul stood under the judgment of Scripture in the hands of the laity. Every teaching must be placed under the light of Scripture and tested.
1 Cor 14:29-33 29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Two or three prophets where to speak and the others; tested, proved, the message given, to verify its correctness. Note that the leaders are to be mature, to have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Heb 5:14. And as 1 Thes 5:20-21 says to prove all things. We note also that the gift of “discerning of spirits” in operation to revel the sores of the message.
(1 John 4:1 KJV) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
(Luke 9:55 KJV) But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Paul during his farewell speech to the Ephesian church, warned of wolves in sheep’s clothing entering in and of those from within rising up with wrong motives. The church was warned of attacks on the church from the outside; and from the inside, like Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence in 3 John 1:9.
Acts 20:28-30 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Acts 19:8-10 8And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
Teaching the truth can lead to rejection, opposition, and hardship.
Paul had no authority in the synagogue to excommunicate the problem, so in this case he separated the disciples from the problem.
When false teachers make inroads within the church, they are to be rebuked sharply.
Titus 1:9-16 9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
While Paul dealt sharply with false teachers, he showed considerable patience with people who were misled doctrinally, patiently taught them the truth. If they had then rejected what he taught and in turn promoted heresy he would have disciplined them.
Acts 18:24-28 24And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
Apollos taught about Jesus, but he knew only John's baptism. For him baptism had been a sign of repentance and expectation. He had to learn that baptism was a symbol of the death and resurrection of Christ and thus of the believer's new life in Christ. We also note that he was saved; he was a disciple of John the Baptist. Apollos was mighty in the scriptures.
Expounded = "to expose; fig. to declare";
WB. To explain or interpret; clarify
perfectly = "comparative of the same as more exactly";
WB. Complete in all respects
Gal 2:4,5 4And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Gal 2:11-14 11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Peter was not preaching heresy but neither was he consistently practicing the gospel. He withdrew from eating with uncircumcised Gentile believers, because he was fearful of what the Hebrew Christians might think. Peter's action divided the church into two camps "heresy", which was not acting in line with the truth of the Gospel but was denying the truth of the gospel by not accepting Jews and Gentiles equally when he withdrew from fellowship with Gentile believers.
HERETIC = GR. to make a choice; a schismatic "the act of causing or trying to cause a split or division in a church."
HERESY = GR. a choice, i.e. (spec.) a party or (abstr.) disunion:
heresy [which is the Gr. word itself], sect.
heretic = a person who professes a heresy; a dissenter from orthodox beliefs
heresy = an opinion or doctrine in conflict with orthodox religious beliefs.
REBUKE = GR. to confute, admonish:
confute = to prove (a person, statement, ect.) to be in error or false
admonish = to caution against specific faults; warn
rebuke = WB. to blame or scold in a sharp way; reprimand, "as a sharp reprimand"
REPROBATE = GR. unapproved, i.e. rejected; by impl. worthless (lit. or mor.)
reprobate = WB. to disapprove of strongly; condemn, to reject
A) Unprincipled
B) Totally bad; corrupt; depraved
1 Tim 1:18-20 18This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
2 Tim 2:15-18 15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
1 Cor 5:5,7,11 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Hymenaeus and Philetus, who apparently taught saying that the resurrection is past, were to be avoided; Paul delivered Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan for punishment.
To delivered unto Satan = A discipline, which excluded such persons from the fellowship of the church.
Titus 3:7-11 7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Subverted = "have turned away from the truth"
2 Pet 2:1-2 1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
DAMNABLE = GR. ruin or loss (phys., spiritual or eternal)
2 Pet 2:13,14 13And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
2 Pet 2:17-19 17These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
Jude 1:12,13 12These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
We can see from these passages that false teachers, those that are misguided are as clouds with no rain. They promise refreshment and freedom, but in reality they are empty of truth. They have not separated the precious from the vial.
Jer 15:19 Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
If they would separated the precious from the vial they would be God’s prophets, God’s teachers.
1 Tim 4:1,2 1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
2 Tim 4:1-5 1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
2 Th 3:6 6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2 Th 3:14 14And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
The revelation of God in the words and life of Jesus is the Guiding Set of Principles by which all believers are to live. The teachings of Jesus are the authority for the church. Those who do not follow and keep the teachings of Jesus are to be noted, "marked" and avoided so that they will be ashamed.
2 John 1:9,10 9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2 Th 1:8 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Obey = GR. to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by impl. to heed or conform to a command or authority:
Disobedience = refusal to obey; failure to follow rules, commands, etc.; insubordination
1 Tim 6:3-5 3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
2 Pet 3:15-18 15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Wrest = to turn or pervert; twist; esp., to pull or force away violently with a twisting motion, to distort or change the true meaning, purpose, use, etc.
2 Tim 2:20,21 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
2 Tim 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Rev 3:17-19 17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Jude 1:22,23 22And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
1 Pet 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1 Cor 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Fornicator
a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e. (by anal.) a debauchee (libertine) sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons or two persons not married to each other.
Covetous
holding (desiring) more, i.e. eager for gain (avaricious, hence a defrauder) inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy.
Idolater
An Image- (servant or) worshipper (lit. or fig.)
1. A worshiper of idols.
2. A person who is an immoderate admirer; devotee.
Railer
from loidos (mischief); abusive, i.e. a blackguard to utter bitter complaints or vehement denunciation (often fol. by at or against):
Drunkard
Tipsy, i.e. (as noun) a sot:
Extortioner
Rapacious
1. A. to obtain from a person by force, threat, intimidation, or abuse of authority.
2. To elicit by cunning or persuasiveness. extorter,
2 Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
Irregularly (mor.) characterized by disorder; untidy, unruly; tumultuous,. contrary to public order or morality.
transmission, i.e. (concr.) a precept; spec. the Jewish traditionary law the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, etc.
1 Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Furnishing (procuring), i.e. (by impl.) money-getting (acquisition) to get (something desired), esp. as aresult of one's efforts; obtain; secure:
2 Tim 3:2-5
v.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
v.3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
v.4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
v.5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Fond of self, i.e. selfish caring only or chiefly for oneself, concerned with one's own interests, welfare, etc, regardless of others.
Covetous
Fond of silver (money), i.e. avaricious inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy.
Boasters
(vagrancy); braggart to speak with exaggeration and excessive pride, esp. about oneself; brag.
Proud
Appearing above others (conspicuous), i.e. (fig.) haughty feeling pleasure or satisfaction over something regarded as honorable or creditable to oneself.; having or showing self-respect or self-esteem.
Blasphemers
Scurrilous, i.e. calumnious (against man), or (spec.) impious (against God) to speak impiously or irreverently of (God or sacred things).; to speak evil of; slander; abuse.
Disobedient to parents
Unpersuadable, i.e. contumacious: "stubbornly perverse or rebellious" neglecting or refusing to obey; refractory
Unthankful
Thankless, i.e. ungrateful thoughtless; heedless; inconsiderate.
Unholy
Wicked not holy; not sacred or hallowed.; impious; sinful; wicked.
Without natural affection
Hard-hearted towards kindred without interest or concern attachment, devotion, or love. indifferent to the suffering of others; unfeeling
Trucebreakers
Without libation (which usually accompanied a treaty), i.e. (by impl.) truceless
W.D...to violate a suspension of hostilities for a specified period oftime by mutual agreement of the warring parties;
False accusers
A traducer; spec. Satan to charge with a fault, offense, or crime that is not true
Incontinent
Powerless, i.e. without self-control not being in control: incontinent of temper. lacking in moderation
Fierce
Hemeros (lame); savage menacingly wild, savage, or hostile.
Despisers of those that are good
Hostile to virtue
To regard with contempt or disdain; scorn. those that are morally excellent; virtuous; righteous:
Traitors
(in the sense of giving forward into another's [the enemy's] hands); a surrender: a person who betrays another, a cause, or any trust.
Heady
Falling forward, i.e. headlong (fig. precipitate): giddy; dizzy: She felt heady with the triumph.
Highminded
To envelop with smoke, i.e. (fig.) to inflate with self-conceit: extreme in opinion
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God
Fond of pleasure, i.e. voluptuous gratification of the senses: voluptuous pleasure. sensuously pleasing or delightful. enjoyment or satisfaction derived fromsomething that is to one's liking; gratification; delight.
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof
appearance of piety; spec. the gospel scheme to contradict, i.e disavow, reject, abnegate force (lit. or fig.); spec. miraculous power external appearance of obeying and revering God; devout; pious. to state that (something declared to be true) is not true: ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something
2 Tim 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Transgresseth
To go contrary to, i.e. violate a command:
To violate a law, command, moral code
1 John 1:6,7 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Chastening
tutorage; i.e. education or training; by impl. disciplinary correction: to inflict suffering or punishment upon to humble or improve bastards a spurious or illegitimate son: a person born of unmarriedparents; an illegitimate child.
Eph 5:1- 19 1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Fornication
Harlotry (includ. adultery and incest); fig. idolatry: voluntary sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons or two persons not married to each other.
Uncleanness
Impurity (the quality), phys. or mor morally impure; vile.
Covetousness
Eager for gain, avarice, i.e. (by impl.) fraudulency, extortion: inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy.
Filthiness
Shamefulness, i.e. obscenity moral impurity, corruption, or obscenity., vulgar or obscene language or thought.
Foolish talking
Silly talk, i.e. buffoonery. "a person who amuses others by jokes, pranks, a person given to coarse or offensive joking."
1. resulting from or showing a lack of sense; unwise: a foolish action.
2. lacking forethought or caution.
3. trifling, insignificant, or paltry.
Jesting
(mean. well-turned, i.e. ready at repartee, jocose); witticism, i.e. (in a vulgar sense) ribaldry: "vulgar or indecent in speech, language, etc.; coarsely mocking or irreverent."
1. a joke or witty remark; witticism; quip.
2. ajeer or taunt, often of a playful or teasing nature.
3. to speak in a humorous or playfully teasing way.
Whoremonger
a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e. (by anal.) a debauchee "excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; seduction from duty or virtue. (libertine): "a freethinker in religious matters" a person who consorts with whores
Idolater
An image- (servant or) worshipper (lit. or fig.)
1. a worshiper of idols.
2. a person who is an immoderate admirer; devotee. a person who is greatly devoted to something; follower, enthusiast, or fan. -
Ephesians 5:6 . . . Let no man deceive you with vain words:
Goodness
Virtue or beneficence "doing good or causing good to be done; charitable."
1. The state or quality of being good.
2. Moral excellence; virtue.
Righteousness
Equity (of character or act); spec. (Chr.) justification: "the state of being justified, the act of God whereby humankind is absolved of guilt or sin."
1. Characterized by uprightness or morality: a righteous observance of the law.
2. Morally right or justifiable: righteous indignation.
3. Acting in an upright, moral way; virtuous:
Truth
To be true (in doctrine and profession)
1. the true or actual state of a matter: to tell thetruth.
2. conformity with fact or reality;
THE TEACHER’S COMMENTARY By LAWRENCE O. RICHARDSVICTOR BOOKS, A DIVISION OF SCRIPTURE PRESS PUBLICATIONS INC. USA CANADA ENGLAND Study Guide 144 Renewal as a Holy Temple: Ephesians 5:3-20 The church is a holy temple. Therefore, we are to live as God’s holy people. Here the contrast is that of night and day, darkness and light. It’s as though we’ve passed through a pitch-black tunnel—stumbling, mired in dirt and filth—and then suddenly broken into the light. At first we’re blinded by the brilliance. Then, as our eyes adjust to the shimmering glow, we realize where we are. We’re in a new and different world, a world without impurity or greed or idolatry. A world of goodness, righteousness, truth, and purity. And this is how we are to live—with eyes opened to holiness, making the most of every opportunity to do God’s will. What is it like, this holy life? This too is found in relationships—in the way we live with others inside and outside the church. What are the marks of holiness in contrast to the ways of darkness?
As we live in love, caring for others rather than using them, we reveal the righteousness of God and we expose evil for what it is. |
Ephesians 5:13-14
v.13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
v.14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Tim 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
And so we again see the church: a body, a family, a holy temple.
A people of God, not just individual Christians.
