DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM PASTOR WESLEY April 1, 2022

Rejecting the Darkness

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason, it says, Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:9-17

The culture in which we live is characterized by spiritual darkness. Sadly, even those of us who are believers become so accustomed to the dark that we feel neither shocked nor shamed by much of what goes on around us. Perhaps we see the sin but don’t acknowledge it as wrong, or maybe we just don’t notice it anymore.

One of those sins is sexual immorality. Throughout the Bible, we are warned of its dangers and told to abstain from impure behavior, lustful passions, and evil desires (Colossians 3:5). Though we don’t feel comfortable talking about it, we must consider what sexual immorality might look like today—whether it’s adultery, pornography, or relations outside of marriage—and be prepared to confront it.

While we cannot escape our dark society, God has provided everything we need to live in the light of our all-sufficient Savior, Jesus Christ. Through His indwelling Spirit, we are adequate to face every temptation and choose what is good and pleasing to Him.

If you have become comfortable in the darkness around you, ask the Lord to shed His light on your life to reveal any compromises or hidden sinful desires. Then receive His forgiveness and the power to walk in His ways.

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