As Paul the
apostle wrote to the Ephesian church members, he listed “fornication,
all uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking and
jesting” as behaviors that were not becoming of “saints”
or “pure and holy ones”. He also stated how “no whoremonger,
nor unclean person, covetous man, who is an idolater has any
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God”. In chapter
five and verse six of his letter, Paul warned the Ephesians to “let
no man deceive you with vain words” where we read:
comes the
wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
The verse begins, “Let
no man deceive you with vain words:” Paul
began with the words, “Let no man
deceive”
which is Greek phrase “apataō
mēdeis apataō” and
means
to “Do not allow, permit or license anyone to cheat, delude or
trick” “you” which
refers to the Ephesian church members “with
vain”
which means “empty, devoid of truth or places and vessels which
contain nothing” ”words” or
“speeches, uttering and anything someone has said which embodies a
conception or idea”. Paul warned the Ephesians concerning those who
would attempt to “trick or delude” them with “empty and devoid
of truth” concepts and ideas.
The
verse goes on to say, “ for because of these things comes the
wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Paul
continued, “for” which means “even, indeed, no doubt,
seeing then, therefore and verily” “because” or
“through, by means of, by reason of, on account of and for this
reason” “of these things” which refers to “the sins
Paul mentioned in the previous verses” “comes” or
“appears, arises, shows, establishes and finds a place of
influence” “the wrath” which means “anger, temper,
agitation of the soul, impulse, violent emotion and indignation”
“of God” who is “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is
comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”
“upon the children” which refers to “the offspring of
men, descendants and posterity” “of disobedience” or
“obstinate opposition to the divine will who exhibit rebellious
unbelief”. Paul shared the “wrath of God” as the
consequence for those who follow after “vain words” of
these deceivers.
When
we meditate upon these words of Paul, we should be warned concerning
those who promote “empty and vain” ideas and concepts of worship.
First, we should recognize a warning would not be necessary if there
were not “vain words” of which we are to be concerned.
Secondly, we must compare any ideas that come from men with the holy
scriptures. If their concepts do not align with the word of God, we
must cast them aside because the consequence of following them would
be “the wrath of God” not only upon those who perpetrate
them, but also upon those who follow them. May the Lord Jesus Christ
through the Holy Spirit keep us aware of those who would lead us away
from the truth of God, and may we be separated from the “wrath”
that God will pour out upon those unbelievers.
Next
time Paul tells the Ephesian church members not to “be
partakers with them”, so read
ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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