What A Shame!
Ephesians 5:12
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
We are exhorted not to fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but to rather reprove them.
"Works of darkness" are enumerated in Ephesians 5:3 -
"But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness,
let it not be once named among you, as becometh
saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor
jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving
of thanks."
Remember when you were "separated yourself, and you
were sensual because you didn't have the Spirit?"
(Jude 19) Let us be mindful and remember from whence
we ourselves have come. Someone prayed for us.
Someone helped us to see our errors. Now it's our
turn, beloved.
When you get the opportunity, endeavor to please God
by not partaking of another's sin, but rather by
reproving it.
Don't hold your tongue - speak up! God delights in
saints who are God-pleasers, and not men-pleasers.
We cannot hold back the truth because we fear the
outcome of our reproof. We don't need friends so
badly, that we let Jesus down, for someone who
disrespects our salvation, do we? Let's speak up for
Jesus, as He spoke up for us. The blood He willingly
shed, spoke loud and clear that we were sinners, and
we needed to be saved by His grace. His blood still
speaks! Souls are dying because you and I are sparing
in our words, and we want to be popular. We don't
like confrontations. Well - the Bible tells us we
must reprove the works - not the person, but the works
of darkness. God hates sin, not the sinner!
My friend, fear not those who are shameless in their
wrongdoing. If you hear the voice of the Holy Spirit,
bidding you to correct a misdeed or a fault of
another, obey with godly reverence. Be not afraid
when you're speaking, but stand up for what is right.
You will feel so edified in your spirit, when you do
this.
God hates darkness, so He expects us to hate it also.
He hates a proud look, and when we embrace what He
embraces, we will be filled with indignation also. He
delights in those who delight in Him, and are not
ashamed to show their love for Him. There is a great
reward for those who dare to openly defend Jesus
Christ as the Son of the living God. The world is
against our Christ, and they're bold in their
opposition. Let us be just as outspoken in our
defense of the Gospel!
When godly precepts rule our lives, we will not choose
to view or discuss shameful scenes or acts. Godly
believers will be found, shunning the very appearance
of evil gossip or hearsay. The things we used to
appreciate, will become dull and uninteresting, as we
mature in Christ. Rather than listen to the
whisperers who come to us with rumors, coarse jokes or
unseemly behavior, let us reprove them in the love of
Jesus. The stand you take, will bear fruit of
respect, dignity and ultimate approval.
The Bible counsels us to "speak the Truth in love.".
It's time to be transformed into the image of Christ
fully, so that we can prove to the world, what is
God's good and acceptable will for all mankind. God
is out to expose all that is being performed in the
dark. "Every secret work shall be manifest," is what
He states in His Word. It shall be brought into
judgment. That word of correction we speak will help
someone else to see the wrong in what they are saying,
doing or thinking.
Love reproves with a firm, but soft tone of voice.
Words of correction spoken in love will break the
hard, cold hearts down, sooner or later. God is Love.
Paul is speaking to the Corinthians in this verse.
Whatever the shameful acts were that were being done
by unbelievers were too abominable to even describe.
The rites were done "under cover;" some were done
under the shadow of wide-spreading trees, on hilltops,
out of the view of onlookers.
This admonition might refer to the Eleusianian and
Bacchanalian mysteries, which were performed in the
darkness of night, and were known to be so immoral and
abominable tht the Roman senate banished them from
Italy.
At these religious festivals, wine and women played
the most important parts. Indecent emblems were
carried in procession and ceremonies of the most
immoral character were performed.
Let’s pray about the immoralities which others are
involved in, that they may be saved, and not lost.
Only the Light of the Truth can rescue them from this
manner of bondage.
As we walk in love, let us walk in the light of the
Truth, and that light will spill over into the minds
of those who walk in ignorance and shame.
Step, by step, day by day, let us pray that our Father
will teach us how to help those who are secretly doing wrong, in Jesus' name . . . Amen.
