Tuesday, April 14, 2026
But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Ephesians 5:3-5
Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk - For Real!
As believers there are some behaviors that should never again be a part of our behaviors. Paul lists some of those behaviors for the believers in Ephesus as those that are not fitting for saints (that’s us!). He begins chapter 5 telling us how we should live as believers – imitators of God, walking in love. Next he gets into what the opposite of that life would look like – sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscene and foolish talking, crude joking, greed and idolatry. That is quite a list! If we are honest, we have all participated to some degree or turned our heads while another brother or sister in Christ participated in some of these actions. When was the last time you told, or laughed at a crude joke? Paul is saying these actions are not fitting for a person who says they are a believer and professes to walking with the Lord. They do not imitate God in our lives but imitate the opposite.
Paul is always straight forward but those believers in Ephesus needed to hear it and so do we. We may have a tendency to let things “slide” or “have a little grace” for a joke, or obscene and foolish talking. It is okay to do that around people who know we really don’t mean it right? Paul says no it is not. As children of God we should imitate him at all times, in everything we say and do. We may think we are not idolators because we do not bow down to a statue but what we don’t realize is that we are bowing down to other “gods” in our lives. Any sin in our lives is idolatry because we are worshipping something other than God. All these things will never satisfy the longing in our hearts that only God can fill, and they lead us further away from him.
Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the devil an opportunity. Ephesians 4:25-27
When we let things slide in our lives, they can be a “foothold” for the devil. A “foothold” refers to any opportunity or position that allows the devil or evil forces to gain influence our lives. These things creeping up in our lives can be a slippery slope and an open door for the devil to get in. Once we start crossing lines they become very blurry. Paul tells us that there is no inheritance for the person that chooses this kind of life over a life surrendered and walking with God.
Choose to live purely and be intentional with what comes out of your mouth. Always be thankful. Don’t get caught up with those living in disobedience but follow God and his holy ways. Lean into the Holy Spirit for strength and walk where he walks, step where he steps, and live and love like Jesus. In his power we can live an obedient and pleasing life to God.
