But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
Ephesians 5:13
We have so much more to say about these things but so often we are unable to hear these things yet because we are still struggling with bondages. So let us pay more careful attention to the word spoken to us as sons. The world speaks of addictions and bondages but these bondages are of the kingdom of darkness. We however are no longer darkness but light in the LORD. So, listen, and be set free in JESUS Name. He whom the Son sets free is free indeed, and wherever the Spirit of the LORD is there is liberty. For we are now the LORD’s bond servants, and in His great mercy He has called us friends. And that is who we are, if we walk as He walked.
We declared unto you the great power of God available in Christ and in His WORD, even to be devoted to these things in Ephesians 5. However, none have fully availed themselves of this power of God, and so we must begin with more elementary things which is suitable.
And so we step back, if only for a brief interlude to reference Eph 4:29 & Ps 119:11.
We step back first to discuss 2 simple words here in beginning with Ephesians 4:29.
“Do not let – any unwholesome talk – come from your mouth…”
“Do not”
This itself is a bomb blast to expose the dangers of an overly sinful concept of addiction. This idea itself can be a bondage.
We have the ability in Christ to say no. This is the command of our God. He teaches us to say “NO” to ungodliness and sinful desires.
*HE* said, “Go and sin no more.”
*HE* said, “Do not…”
We are not to profess that we are slaves to Satan. There is depth in every verse, but a culture bound in slavery and limited by their language is also limited in their understanding and in their ability to think because of that language limitation.
The words of God have clear instruction and show us God’s power both to will and to work in our lives in contrast to the bondage of addictions and slavery.
Now how are we to have accountability?
When we talk, we are to be open and honest, but when we talk we are to first be transformed from the inside out or else we simply remain in bondage and go deeper in bondage and drag others into our own bondage too.
So we are to be honest and truthful, never dishonest but rather to expose sin. But must we wallow in sin? So we must acknowledge that there is certainly a paradox in this but we must overcome evil by good. So open confession in full honesty but immediate rejection of bondage and turning to the truth.
In other words, recognizing that honesty about bondage is essential and also that in the process of talking about bondage, we can go too far and continue too long, AND our hearers must also have their armor on. This is because one man’s honesty will be the devil’s fiery darts which pierce another onlooker and lead those without their armor on into immediate sin and bondage themselves.
This is somewhat like the aimless arrow of 1 Kings 22:34 killed wicked Ahab, king of Israel.
Prov 5 & 6 have still more power from God in every verse too.
And we have not even touched Ephesians 5 because we had to remind you first that God did not tell us to purify ourselves as we are pure if we are in bondage and unable by His power both to will and to do according to His God pleasure which is in Christ JESUS. He has given us power and authority in Christ to say no so that we are NO LONGER addicts in recovery. God forbid!
And so we declare even regarding our life and doctrine and this worldly lie about bondage and addiction.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29
Certainly, those who are in bondage are in bondage, but it is for freedom that Christ has set us free, no longer to be burdened by a yoke of slavery.
And so it is that we are able to declare with the LORD
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
Ephesians 5:13
Wisdom in the WORD 