SABBATH – Introduction

Making Good Choices

This week, let's read from the Bible, Ephesians 5:1-20

KJV ¹ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; ² And 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. ³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; ⁴ Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For 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. ⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. ⁷ Be not ye therefore partakers with them. ⁸ For 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; ) ¹⁰ Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. ¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. ¹² For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. ¹³ But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. ¹⁴ Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. ¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, ¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; CEV ¹ Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. ² Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God. ³ You are God's people, so don't let it be said that any of you are immoral or indecent or greedy. ⁴ Don't use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are. ⁵ Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God. ⁶ Don't let anyone trick you with foolish talk. God punishes everyone who disobeys him and says foolish things. ⁷ So don't have anything to do with anyone like that. ⁸ You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light ⁹ and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful, ¹⁰ as you try to please the Lord. ¹¹ Don't take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark. Instead, show how wrong they are. ¹² It is disgusting even to talk about what is done in the dark. ¹³ But the light will show what these things are really like. ¹⁴ Light shows up everything, just as the Scriptures say, “Wake up from your sleep and rise from death. Then Christ will shine on you.” ¹⁵ Act like people with good sense and not like fools. ¹⁶ These are evil times, so make every minute count. ¹⁷ Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do. ¹⁸ Don't destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. ¹⁹ When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. ²⁰ Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.
, and discover some valuable lessons. We'll also look at other passages like 1 Corinthians 5:1-11

KJV ¹ It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. ² And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. ³ For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, ⁴ In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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. ⁶ Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? ⁷ Purge 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: ⁸ Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. ⁹ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: ¹⁰ Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 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 idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. CEV ¹ I have heard terrible things about some of you. In fact, you are behaving worse than Gentiles. A man is even sleeping with his own stepmother. ² You are proud, when you ought to feel bad enough to chase away anyone who acts like this. ^3-4 I am with you only in my thoughts. But in the name of our Lord Jesus I have already judged this man, as though I were with you in person. So when you meet together and the power of the Lord Jesus is with you, I will be there too. ⁵ You must then hand that man over to Satan. His body will be destroyed, but his spirit will be saved when the Lord Jesus returns. ⁶ Stop being proud! Don't you know how a little yeast can spread through the whole batch of dough? ⁷ Get rid of the old yeast! Then you will be like fresh bread made without yeast, and this is what you are. Our Passover lamb is Christ, who has already been sacrificed. ⁸ So don't celebrate the festival by being evil and sinful, which is like serving bread made with yeast. Be pure and truthful and celebrate by using bread made without yeast. ⁹ In my other letter I told you not to have anything to do with immoral people. ¹⁰ But I wasn't talking about the people of this world. You would have to leave this world to get away from everyone who is immoral or greedy or who cheats or worships idols. ¹¹ I was talking about your own people who are immoral or greedy or worship idols or curse others or get drunk or cheat. Don't even eat with them!
, Revelation 16:1-16

KJV ¹ And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. ² And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. ³ And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. ⁴ And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. ⁵ And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. ⁶ For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. ⁷ And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. ⁸ And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. ⁹ And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. ¹⁰ And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, ¹¹ And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. ¹² And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. ¹³ And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. ¹⁴ For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. ¹⁵ Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. ¹⁶ And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. CEV ¹ From the temple I heard a voice shout to the seven angels, “Go and empty the seven bowls of God's anger on the earth.” ² The first angel emptied his bowl on the earth. At once ugly and painful sores broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and worshiped the idol. ³ The second angel emptied his bowl on the sea. At once the sea turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died. ⁴ The third angel emptied his bowl into the rivers and streams. At once they turned to blood. ⁵ Then I heard the angel, who has power over water, say, “You have always been, and you always will be the holy God. You had the right to judge in this way. ⁶ They poured out the blood of your people and your prophets. So you gave them blood to drink as they deserve!” ⁷ After this, I heard the altar shout, “Yes, Lord God All-Powerful, your judgments are honest and fair.” ⁸ The fourth angel emptied his bowl on the sun, and it began to scorch people like fire. ⁹ Everyone was scorched by its great heat, and all of them cursed the name of God who had power over these terrible troubles. But no one turned to God and praised him. ¹⁰ The fifth angel emptied his bowl on the throne of the beast. At once darkness covered its kingdom, and its people began biting their tongues in pain. ¹¹ And because of their painful sores, they cursed the God who rules in heaven. But still they did not stop doing evil things. ¹² The sixth angel emptied his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it completely dried up to make a road for the kings from the east. ¹³ An evil spirit that looked like a frog came out of the mouth of the dragon. One also came out of the mouth of the beast, and another out of the mouth of the false prophet. ¹⁴ These evil spirits had the power to work miracles. They went to every king on earth, to bring them together for a war against God All-Powerful. But that will be the day of God's great victory. ¹⁵ Remember Christ says, “When I come, it will surprise you like a thief! But God will bless you, if you are awake and ready. Then you won't have to walk around naked and be ashamed.” ¹⁶ Those armies came together in a place that in Hebrew is called Armagedon.
, Colossians 4:5

KJV ⁵ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. CEV ⁵ When you are with unbelievers, always make good use of the time.
, Proverbs 20:1

KJV ¹ Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. CEV ¹ It isn't smart to get drunk! Drinking makes a fool of you and leads to fights.
, Proverbs 23:29-35

KJV ²⁹ Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? ³⁰ They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. ³¹ Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. ³² At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. ³³ Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. ³⁴ Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. ³⁵ They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. CEV ²⁹ Who is always in trouble? Who argues and fights? Who has cuts and bruises? Whose eyes are red? ³⁰ Everyone who stays up late, having just one more drink. ³¹ Don't even look at that colorful stuff bubbling up in the glass! It goes down so easily, ³² but later it bites like a poisonous snake. ³³ You will see weird things, and your mind will play tricks on you. ³⁴ You will feel tossed about like someone trying to sleep on a ship in a storm. ³⁵ You will be bruised all over, without even remembering how it all happened. And you will lie awake asking, “When will morning come, so I can drink some more?”
, and Acts 16:25

KJV ²⁵ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. CEV ²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened.
.

Here's an important verse to remember:

“Be careful how you live. Don't be foolish, but be wise. Make the most of every opportunity because these are evil times. So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants.” (Ephesians 5:15-17

KJV ¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, ¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. CEV ¹⁵ Act like people with good sense and not like fools. ¹⁶ These are evil times, so make every minute count. ¹⁷ Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do.
, Easy-to-Read Version).

Have you heard the story about a special jug? Once, a jug was put up for sale in the United Kingdom. People thought it was just an old French jug worth $200. But two smart bidders saw something others didn't. They knew it was a rare Islamic jug worth millions. What made them realize its true value? They had special knowledge that others didn't have.

In the Bible, Ephesians 5:1-20

KJV ¹ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; ² And 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. ³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; ⁴ Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For 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. ⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. ⁷ Be not ye therefore partakers with them. ⁸ For 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; ) ¹⁰ Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. ¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. ¹² For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. ¹³ But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. ¹⁴ Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. ¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, ¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; CEV ¹ Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. ² Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God. ³ You are God's people, so don't let it be said that any of you are immoral or indecent or greedy. ⁴ Don't use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are. ⁵ Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God. ⁶ Don't let anyone trick you with foolish talk. God punishes everyone who disobeys him and says foolish things. ⁷ So don't have anything to do with anyone like that. ⁸ You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light ⁹ and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful, ¹⁰ as you try to please the Lord. ¹¹ Don't take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark. Instead, show how wrong they are. ¹² It is disgusting even to talk about what is done in the dark. ¹³ But the light will show what these things are really like. ¹⁴ Light shows up everything, just as the Scriptures say, “Wake up from your sleep and rise from death. Then Christ will shine on you.” ¹⁵ Act like people with good sense and not like fools. ¹⁶ These are evil times, so make every minute count. ¹⁷ Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do. ¹⁸ Don't destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. ¹⁹ When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. ²⁰ Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.
, the apostle Paul talks about what different people find valuable. Some people value things like wild stories (Ephesians 5:4

KJV ⁴ Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. CEV ⁴ Don't use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are.
), wild parties (Ephesians 5:18

KJV ¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; CEV ¹⁸ Don't destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life.
), and doing wrong things (Ephesians 5:3

KJV ³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; CEV ³ You are God's people, so don't let it be said that any of you are immoral or indecent or greedy.
, Ephesians 5:5

KJV ⁵ For 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. CEV ⁵ Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God.
). But believers in Jesus have a different way of seeing things. They know that one day, everything will be looked at closely to see its real value (Ephesians 5:5-6

KJV ⁵ For 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. ⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. CEV ⁵ Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God. ⁶ Don't let anyone trick you with foolish talk. God punishes everyone who disobeys him and says foolish things.
). Instead of chasing after wild parties, they treasure the things that are good and right and true, especially the things that come from Jesus (Ephesians 5:9

KJV ⁹ (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; ) CEV ⁹ and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful,
, Easy-to-Read Version). Paul wants them to take hold of these amazing gifts found in Jesus, especially as they live in the world that's moving closer to eternity (Ephesians 5:15-17

KJV ¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, ¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. CEV ¹⁵ Act like people with good sense and not like fools. ¹⁶ These are evil times, so make every minute count. ¹⁷ Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do.
).

SUNDAY – "Instead Let There Be Thanksgiving"

Today, we're going to dig into a part of the Bible, Ephesians 5:1-2

KJV ¹ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; ² And 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. CEV ¹ Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. ² Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God.
, and take a closer look at what it means to be "imitators of God." In these verses, Paul is telling us to follow God's example. He's urging us to show love in our actions, just like Christ did when he loved us so much that he gave up everything for us. Paul is really emphasizing Christ's act of making up for our wrongs, and it's all because of the love from God and Christ themselves. He wants us to take this selfless kind of love and make it a part of how we live our lives.

Now, moving on to another point in Ephesians 5:3-5

KJV ³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; ⁴ Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For 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. CEV ³ You are God's people, so don't let it be said that any of you are immoral or indecent or greedy. ⁴ Don't use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are. ⁵ Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God.
, Paul talks about how we should handle sexual matters. He's cautioning us against doing things that can harm our image as followers of Jesus. Instead of getting involved in behaviors that are not right, he's encouraging us to hold on to what is good and righteous according to the teachings of Christ.

MONDAY – Walking as Children of Light

In Ephesians 5:6

KJV ⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. CEV ⁶ Don't let anyone trick you with foolish talk. God punishes everyone who disobeys him and says foolish things.
, Paul warns against being deceived by empty words that might lead us astray from God's path. He cautions against engaging in behaviors that would bring God's wrath upon us. Paul's exhortation is not about God's moody anger but about His righteous response to persistent evil.

Paul encourages us to "walk as children of light" in Ephesians 5:8

KJV ⁸ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: CEV ⁸ You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light
and discern what is pleasing to the Lord. He contrasts this with the pagan pursuit of pleasure through immoral behaviors. By reflecting Christ's sacrificial love, we aim to please God rather than ourselves.

TUESDAY – "Awake, O Sleeper!"

In Ephesians 5:11-14

KJV ¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. ¹² For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. ¹³ But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. ¹⁴ Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. CEV ¹¹ Don't take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark. Instead, show how wrong they are. ¹² It is disgusting even to talk about what is done in the dark. ¹³ But the light will show what these things are really like. ¹⁴ Light shows up everything, just as the Scriptures say, “Wake up from your sleep and rise from death. Then Christ will shine on you.”
, Paul urges us to expose the unfruitful works of darkness through our righteous living. Just as light reveals hidden things, our lives should shine light on the truth and transformation found in Christ. We're called to awaken spiritually and lead others to do the same.

Paul envisions Christians as light-bearers, exposing darkness with their lives. By living as "children of light," we demonstrate the alternative to sinful behaviors and draw others to Christ's transforming presence.

WEDNESDAY – Snapping Up the Bargains

Paul advises us to walk wisely in Ephesians 5:15-17

KJV ¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, ¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. CEV ¹⁵ Act like people with good sense and not like fools. ¹⁶ These are evil times, so make every minute count. ¹⁷ Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do.
, understanding the Lord's will and making the best use of our time. As believers, we're called to live intentionally and discern God's guidance in a world filled with evil. Let's seize the opportunities to grow in Christ as we await His return.

Paul uses the metaphor of a marketplace to encourage us to seize the opportunities presented by the time we have. Just as savvy shoppers snap up bargains, we should make the most of our time to grow in Christ and live out His purpose for our lives.

THURSDAY – Spirit-Filled Worship

In Ephesians 5:18-20

KJV ¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; CEV ¹⁸ Don't destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. ¹⁹ When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. ²⁰ Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.
, Paul urges believers to be filled with the Spirit and engage in Spirit-filled worship. We're reminded to avoid mind-numbing behaviors like drunkenness and instead allow the Holy Spirit to inspire our worship. Our musical praise and thanksgiving should reflect our love for God and unity as a community.

Paul encourages us to worship in the Spirit, expressing our gratitude through music and thanksgiving. Our worship should reflect the unity and love we have as believers, inviting the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit into our midst.

FRIDAY – Further Thought

As we conclude our journey through Ephesians 5:1-20

KJV ¹ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; ² And 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. ³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; ⁴ Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For 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. ⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. ⁷ Be not ye therefore partakers with them. ⁸ For 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; ) ¹⁰ Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. ¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. ¹² For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. ¹³ But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. ¹⁴ Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. ¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, ¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; CEV ¹ Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. ² Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God. ³ You are God's people, so don't let it be said that any of you are immoral or indecent or greedy. ⁴ Don't use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are. ⁵ Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God. ⁶ Don't let anyone trick you with foolish talk. God punishes everyone who disobeys him and says foolish things. ⁷ So don't have anything to do with anyone like that. ⁸ You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light ⁹ and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful, ¹⁰ as you try to please the Lord. ¹¹ Don't take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark. Instead, show how wrong they are. ¹² It is disgusting even to talk about what is done in the dark. ¹³ But the light will show what these things are really like. ¹⁴ Light shows up everything, just as the Scriptures say, “Wake up from your sleep and rise from death. Then Christ will shine on you.” ¹⁵ Act like people with good sense and not like fools. ¹⁶ These are evil times, so make every minute count. ¹⁷ Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do. ¹⁸ Don't destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. ¹⁹ When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. ²⁰ Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.
, remember that Paul's words are not just a list of rules, but a call to embrace our identity as beloved children of God. We're called to shine a light into the darkness and worship in Spirit-filled unity. Let's discuss and reflect on these questions:

How can we live out Paul's high standards in a world filled with conflicting values and media influence?
What strategies can help us discern God's will and understand what is pleasing to Him?
Why is it important to address issues of sexual misbehavior and abuse, even though Paul discourages speaking of such matters?
How does our contemporary society reflect similar pagan practices to those Paul addressed in his time?

May this devotional journey inspire you to live wisely, love sacrificially, and worship wholeheartedly as you walk the path of faith.