Ephesians 5:11-12 11And do not take part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to talk about the secret things done by them..
Paul shifts back to warning about the old life and allowing it to creep back in by participating in activities associated with darkness. Darkness (skotous) here represents the life of disobedience resulting in sin. This is how unbelievers live because they have been deceived by the pull of the flesh and seeking pleasure and happiness but ignoring or not knowing the bottomless well of joy. The works of darkness stand in strong contrast to the works that produce righteousness and holiness. The same word for works (ergois) occurs here as in 2:10 for “good works.” Paul calls these works unfruitful, at least in leading us to God’s purposes for us. There is a type of fruit that results from darkness, but it is rotten and will make a person spiritually sick and may affect all other aspects of a person’s life.
The specific warning is about not being involved with any of this. The command is made of two parts, literally “fellowship” (-koinōneite) and the prefix “with” (syg-). This is more than the occasional slip up but more intentional involvement. If a person is involved with darkness, it is easy for that person to hide or think his or her deeds are not noticed. There is a certain comfort that comes when people acts like others around them. Peer pressure causes us to conform so that we do not stand out, which could lead to a feeling of shame or embarrassment.
Paul calls the readers to have courage and follow the ways of God. They are not to be passive about this but actually even expose and bring to light what is in the darkness. Believers ought to be the consciences of a society. By living in holiness (4:24) and love (5:1-2), followers of Jesus still stand out as light in the darkness. The result should be a sharp contrast between the deeds of darkness and the life in Christ.
But there is another danger of which believers must be aware. In exposing the darkness, we can also expose ourselves to the temptations of the darkness. Verse 12 warns about even speaking about the secrets of the dark. We may begin with pure motives when we speak against the darkness, but unless we are careful, the darkness will try to creep back in. Talking or thinking about the darkness exposes our thinking to bad words, images, and actions. We must be light in the darkness, but we must also realize we are going into enemy territory, and the enemy is very tricky and will try to trip us up and capture our thinking so we get lost in the darkness again.
For older posts, click here.