Keep the Sin Out
Ephesians 5:3, Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes – these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world.
It should go without saying, but needs to be said: Sexual immorality, impurity, and greed have no place in the life of a believer.
The Bible states that when persons commit sexual sin, they sin against their own body: "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body." (1 Corinthians 6:18)
What this means is that something in the physical body and soul are damaged when persons, including Christians, commit sexual sins.
The reason this has to be said is because we live in a society that condones immoral behavior and every one of us is affected by the culture in which we live.
Paul goes on to highlight other behaviors such as obscene talk. Paul also provides the alternative to such behaviors in the form of giving thanks to God. Thanksgiving brings light into our environment and to our minds. Sin and a lack of thanksgiving allows darkness to enter the heart. "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21)
At the conclusion of today's text, Paul makes the comment that a greedy person, or any person focused on this world more than God, is actually an idolater.
This is straight talk for troubled times. Let us take heed and encourage all believers to obey God's word.
