Key Verse: “But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks.” (Ephesians 5:3-5 CSB)
French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonese Karr once wrote, “the more things change, the more they remain the same.” This is certainly true when it comes to the challenges we all face as we seek to faithfully follow Jesus.
Back in the first century, the Greco-Roman world was a highly sexualized society. One of the gods that was especially prevalent for those in the city of Ephesus was the Greek goddess Artemis, Diana of the Ephesians. As part of the pagan worship that occurred in that city, people were engaged in rampant and licentious sexual activity in her name. It was considered completely normal.
But not so for those who followed Jesus Christ. In Paul’s letter to the believers in Ephesus, he wrote that one of fruits of someone that is seeking to reflect kingdom values and fully follow Jesus is a life devoted to radical purity and holiness.
Paul wrote, “But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for the saints” (v.3). Elsewhere, he said, “For this is God’s will your sanctification: that you keep away from sexual immorality, that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not with lustful passions, like the Gentiles, who don’t know God” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
The phrase “sexual immorality” that Paul uses refers to any and all sexual activity that occurs outside of the boundaries of marriage between a husband and wife. It was a label that could very appropriately have been used to describe the city of Ephesus. Paul however raised the bar much higher for those who followed Christ. The sexual activity that the culture around them was practicing and celebrating was not “proper for saints.” There was not even to be a hint of it in their lives.
It wasn’t just a call to holiness in their conduct, however. In also included their speech. “Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable,” Paul wrote, “but rather giving thanks” (v.4). Whether in word or deed, there is no place for impurity or lewdness in the life of someone who claims to follow Jesus. It shouldn’t be practiced. It shouldn’t even be talked about.
In many ways, not much has changed almost 2,000 years after Paul wrote these words. We are surrounded and bombarded daily by a society that idolizes sexual activity. You only have to look as far as the movies, television shows and music to see what our culture celebrates and deems normal.
But as Christ-followers, we have called to live as light in the darkness, to pursue radical holiness and purity in all that we say, think and do. There should not even be a hint of sexual immorality in our lives, as it is not fitting or proper for Christ’s saints. This includes our conversations, our viewing history online, and our thought life. Not even a hint!
Let’s be honest. This is a lot easier to say than it is to do. But the power to overcome and to walk victoriously is ours through the Holy Spirit because of all that Jesus Christ has accomplished. His grace is sufficient. Look to Him for the courage and strength to live this way.
As you do, invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you today about this. Are there places in your life where you are compromising in this area? How does God want you to take another step forward in a life of purity and holiness?
Prayer: God, I recognize that to seek first the kingdom of God includes the pursuit of holiness. I want to live without even a hint of impurity in my life in my speech, my thoughts and my conduct. Holy Spirit, I invite you to speak specifically to me about what this looks like. Jesus, thank you for your amazing grace! Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
