Guys this is just pure awesome! There is so much to take away from this chapter..it's ridiculous!11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
This verse changed my life.. I know that specifically it is saying to expose those who are doing bad things...but it has spoken to me directly in the past...it says to have nothing to do with evil but rather expose it. Many either struggle or have struggled with things that are even shameful to mention (mostly lust...)...but we are not supposed to try to help ourselves and go into this spiritual battle on our own...no we need our brothers...we need accountability...we need someone to talk to, because from experience guys...when you start exposing these things, they start to whither away--because the things that belong in the dark cannot handle being in the light. Brothers, if there is anything in your life that you feel you need to expose to the light...seek help, talk to me...talk to someone...but you need to take the first step of conquering that sin and that is...reveal it.
8-9 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.
ReplyDeleteWe are all sinful beings. Ever since we were born, there is darkness in our hearts that we have because we are human. It is when we seek the Lord and we accept him that He washes us clean and beacons his light into the darkness of our hearts. Paul says that we should be children of light, rejoicing in the Lord and spreading this light as God's children. That we make fruit of goodness and righteousness and truth that we can spread to those that still have darkness in their heart. It is what we are called to do as children of God.
Ephesians 5:25-27
ReplyDeleteHusbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,... that she might be holy and without blemish.
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Okay, so I know none of us are married but this verse really stuck out to me. I feel like we all have something to learn about being true godly men. A lot of times, I feel the need to try and make Caitlin feel loved, and want to make sure that I am doing a better job at it than anyone else.
But this verse kinda undercuts my pride. Guys, no matter how hard you try, you are never going to be able to love a woman like Jesus did. Jesus died for her sanctification. We need to grow up. Jesus died for each an every one of us. How can we, as men, possibly sacrifice that much for our someone?
verse 15,16:
ReplyDeleteBe very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
This stood out to me because it is a clear call to live wisely. It is a call to action. It says do not sit around, but act. Seize the moment, and do it wisely. I would love to learn to embody what this says.
Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes - these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
ReplyDeleteAnother slap in the face this week. Yea. That's something else I have to work on. That's What She Said is just so easy. As is making some easy You're Mom joke or something like that. I mean, everyone does it. Not that that is any excuse. I need to clean it up alot.
Continuing what Travis was saying, verse 17:
ReplyDeleteTherefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Pretty blunt statement. Most of us would probably say easier said than done. All it boils down to, though, is prayerfully seeking God's counsel in our everyday lives. I encounter uncertainty pretty regularly in my life, and have an unfortunate habit of leaving things that way and not thinking to ask the Lord what I should do. I need to truly just stop offering suggestions or explanations of my own and just listen to God. As Ryan Harlan once put it, He knows better than I know what is best for me.