How can Ephesians 5:7 guide our choices in friendships and community involvement? Living Out Ephesians 5:7 Today “Therefore do not be partakers with them.” — Ephesians 5:7 Setting the Context • Verses 3-6 describe sexual immorality, impurity, greed, and empty words that incur God’s wrath. • “Therefore” links verse 7 to that list: believers must keep a clear line between themselves and practices that invite judgment. Why the Company We Keep Matters • 1 Corinthians 15:33 — “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” • Proverbs 13:20 — “He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” • Psalm 1:1 — “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked.” Scripture consistently ties moral direction to relational influence; friendships either reinforce godliness or undermine it. Defining “Partakers” • The Greek word means sharing in, partnering, or having fellowship with. • It points to active participation, not mere proximity. Jesus ate with sinners yet never endorsed sin (Luke 5:30-32). The difference lies in influence: He affected them; He was never shaped by their rebellion. Friendship Filters Use these biblical criteria when forming close bonds: • Alignment with light over darkness (Ephesians 5:8). • Shared submission to Christ’s Lordship (2 Corinthians 6:14). • Mutual encouragement toward holiness (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Evidence of truth-telling, gratitude, and purity of speech (Ephesians 5:3-4). • Willingness to correct and be corrected by Scripture (Proverbs 27:6). Community Involvement That Honors Christ • Presence, not partnership, in ungodly systems: serve, bless, and witness without endorsing sin (Philippians 2:15). • Choose venues where light can shine—schools, neighborhood boards, charities—while refusing roles requiring moral compromise (Matthew 5:14-16). • Maintain accountability: bring another believer along when entering spiritually hazardous environments (Mark 6:7). • Keep an exit plan; withdraw when your influence is silenced or sin is normalized (2 Timothy 3:5). Positive Companionship Goals • Pursue friendships that sharpen faith (Proverbs 27:17). • Invest in multigenerational fellowship—elders guiding younger believers (Titus 2:3-6). • Cultivate a church-centered social life where worship, service, and hospitality intertwine (Acts 2:42-47). Ongoing Discernment • Daily renewal in the Word equips discernment (Romans 12:2). • The Spirit gives wisdom to recognize subtle compromises (Ephesians 5:18). • Walking in love (5:2) and light (5:8) sets the tone: separation from sin, not from people; engagement without entanglement. Encouragement to Stand Firm God calls His people “a chosen people…to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Guarding friendships and community ties according to Ephesians 5:7 frees believers to reflect that marvelous light with clarity and conviction. |
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