How can we avoid being deceived by "empty words" in today's culture? Hearing the Warning: Ephesians 5:6 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:6) What Are “Empty Words”? • Smooth talk that excuses sin or redefines it • Philosophies that promise freedom while denying Christ (Colossians 2:8) • Religious claims that contradict the plain meaning of Scripture (Galatians 1:6-9) • Cultural slogans that dismiss God’s standards as outdated Why This Warning Matters Today • A constant stream of media normalizes impurity and greed the very verses before Ephesians 5:6 condemn. • “Tolerance” is re-labeled as approval, pressuring believers to compromise. • Even some pulpits replace repentance with self-esteem platitudes. Scripture insists that such deception still brings God’s wrath; truth has not changed. How to Guard Your Heart and Mind 1. Saturate Yourself in Scripture • “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) • Daily, intentional reading builds discernment; error stands out when truth is familiar. 2. Submit Every Idea to Christ’s Lordship • “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) • Ask, “Does this message honor Jesus or dethrone Him?” 3. Stay Filled with the Spirit • Ephesians 5:18 follows the warning with “be filled with the Spirit.” • The Spirit illuminates truth and exposes lies (John 16:13). 4. Practice Biblical Discernment • “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1) • Compare teachings to Scripture, not to popularity or emotional appeal. 5. Embrace God-Honoring Community • “Two are better than one… for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) • Godly friends, mentors, and local church accountability help spot deception early. 6. Live Out the Light You Know • “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8) • Obedience reinforces truth; compromise dulls discernment. 7. Remember the Consequences • “Because of such things the wrath of God comes…” (Ephesians 5:6) • Love for Christ and reverence for His holiness motivate us to reject enticing but deadly lies. Anchored, Not Adrift Empty words promise much yet deliver judgment. God’s Word, illuminated by His Spirit and lived out in community, equips us to recognize and refuse deception, shining as lights in a culture of half-truths. |
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