Last Thursday I attended a collaborative learning luncheon in Tampa. It was a wonderful blessing, because I rarely get a chance to attend many workshops or conferences. This one was governed and grounded in love for humanity, but shined the light of God [Truth] on the power of darkness to destroy people when they step into immorality—sin against God’s standard of righteousness.
Now, we may automatically gravitate toward a definition of immorality that is only about sexual sins, but it is fundamentally about transgressing God’s righteous standards and will for us. Therefore, immorality can be actions, but also a mindset or attitude that leads us to partake of the darkness of the world in all kinds of ways. When we do not guard our souls—minds, wills, and emotions—we are vulnerable to be led by our flesh or the world rather than by the Spirit. Deception can begin to take dominion—which means humanity will be confused about the Truth.
God loves us and knows all about the temptations we may face; ways the enemy uses to lure us away from the narrow path that leads to transforming us as God’s temple. If you have accepted the work of Christ on the cross for the salvation of your sin, you are now the temple of the Holy Spirit and he works to increase your growth in the nature and character of God in which there is NO darkness.
In his letter to the Church at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul has to remind the people about the “fitting behavior” that leads to life with God (5:1-5). Before Christ makes us spiritually alive, we are dead in our sins, so it is not our place to judge the lifestyles of the world—we were once a part of it. But, in Christ, we are becoming God’s children of the Kingdom. God will judge the world, so our job is to live like Jesus so people will experience the true love and nature of God in and through us.
We cannot live like the world while at the same time proclaiming we have received Jesus. It is true we live in the world, but in Christ we are becoming the revelation of the righteousness of heaven. Oh, it would be so wonderful to never have to deal with our fallen nature again, but we will have to deny our flesh and our inclinations to sin until we are home with God. Temptation will always seek to pervert the Truth of God’s will in order to get us to eat the things that destroy spiritual life with God. Remember, Satan said to Eve, “Did God really say…?” (Gen 2:1-3). Yes, he did; and to live apart from God’s righteous standard leaves humanity separated from God.
Although we are saved by grace through faith, we must live in the light of Truth and the Spirit makes that possible as we choose to obey God’s righteous will in exchange for the sin-infected inclination of human will. We may like to think we are a complete work at salvation and in the spirit we are, but that must be lived out one choice at a time and is manifest in our thoughts, attitudes, AND behaviors. Simply said, we choose to do things God’s way, because we know he is our Creator and returning to him means living in the light of Truth—Christ. Truth is a person, so we must connect to Christ in all areas of our lives.
No one can live in the Truth of God’s righteous standard without Jesus and the power of the Spirit. It all really comes down to making righteous choices that can be very painful. The more deceived we become—because we try to excuse certain aspects of immorality—the harder it is to comprehend the Truth. For this reason, God has put his standard into place. Love is God, so as we love him and others…we must live like Jesus, because we have chosen to become his spiritual Temple.
Ephesians 5:6-20 NLT
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Living by the Spirit’s Power
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord, we long to be more dependent upon you. We need the work of the Spirit to fill us and help us become more like Christ. Help us face the Truth about the areas in our lives that need your redeeming and healing touch. We should never look like the world in how we love and live. So, Holy Spirit, please continue to produce the righteous fruit within us so we can remain faithful to your character. In Jesus’ name. Amen.