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. 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, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
“Everyone does it.”
“You have to look out for yourself.”
“You’re not really hurting anyone.”
“You’re not breaking any laws.”
As you read those phrases, what do you think is happening? Is someone contemplating an affair? Perhaps they are considering letting a co-worker take the blame unfairly or using AI to generate a paper to submit for their college class. Perhaps they are looking at a link to a pornography site or … it could be just about anything.
Paul urges us not to be deceived by empty words, even the words we would tell ourselves. For this reason, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. It is easy for churchgoing types to imagine that Paul is talking about other people when he uses this language. And we are right in a sense, he is talking about all people, but we often miss the point that in God’s eyes sin is not so relative. Sin is just bad. The little old church-attending woman who bears a grudge against some member of the lady’s aide society for a snub is just as much a reason for God’s wrath to come as the flagrant sinner who parades his vices for the world to see.
Walk in the light, exhorts Paul. Do not walk as the foolish, but as the wise. Discern the will of God. That applies to little things, daily things, which are part and parcel of every Christian’s life as we are called to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ and to speak to one another with wholesome words. Before we think about those other people, the people it is so easy to imagine as being the triggers for God’s wrath to come upon the sons of disobedience, take a few moments to think of how you have not discerned what is good, chosen that good, and loved the people you are called to love. Beseech God for the forgiveness you need. Chastened and humbled by Him, now love the sinners around you as people for whom Jesus also has died.