This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of Building Together: “Let the Light get in!” (WATCH HERE)
Ephesians 5:3–5; 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Darkness can make it difficult to see things clearly.
Have you ever walked through a dark room and mistaken one thing for another? A pile of clothes can look like a person. A shadow can look like an object. Without enough light, we can easily believe we are seeing something that isn’t really there.
Sin works much the same way.
God created many things that are good. He created marriage, sexuality, possessions, food, work, relationships, and pleasure. These are gifts from His gracious hand. But sin takes God’s good gifts and distorts them. It takes what God designed for our good and turns it toward ourselves.
That is what Paul is addressing in Ephesians 5. He warns God’s people about sexual immorality, impurity, greed, and even careless speech. These sins are not simply a list of bad behaviors. They reveal what happens when our hearts become focused on getting what we want instead of trusting what God has given.
Greed says, “I need more.”
Lust says, “I need this to satisfy me.”
Selfishness says, “I deserve to have things my way.”
Sin turns our eyes away from the Giver and toward the gift.
Psalm 51 reminds us why this happens. David confesses, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” Sin is not merely something we occasionally do. It is a condition of our fallen hearts. Left to ourselves, we naturally turn away from God and toward ourselves.
That is why we need more than better behavior. We need a Savior.
Jesus came into our darkness. He took our sin upon Himself and carried it to the cross. The One who knew no sin became sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:2).
The light of God’s Word exposes our sin, but it does not expose us so that God can shame us. It exposes us so that He can lead us to repentance and forgiveness in Christ.
So when God’s Word reveals something in your life that needs to change, don’t hide from the light. Bring it into the light. Confess it. Trust the promise of Christ. Your sin is not too ugly for His grace.
Today, ask God to help you recognize where sin may be distorting something good in your life. Perhaps it is your use of money, your relationships, your sexuality, your desire for comfort, or your need to have things your way. Let God’s Word show you the truth, and then let the Gospel remind you that there is forgiveness in Jesus.
Christ does not leave us in the darkness.
He brings us into His light.
Reflect: What good gift from God are you most tempted to distort or use selfishly? How does knowing that Christ forgives your sin change the way you respond when God’s Word exposes something in your life?
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I confess that sin has distorted my heart and caused me to use Your good gifts selfishly. Forgive me for the times I have trusted Your gifts more than I have trusted You. Thank You for sending Jesus to carry my sin to the cross and to give me His righteousness. Help me welcome the light of Your Word, even when it exposes things I would rather hide. Lead me to repentance and strengthen my faith in Your forgiveness. Help me use Your good gifts in ways that honor You and bless others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.