I don’t know all the “empty words” the early Christians faced in Ephesus, but taking a moment to stop and think about what words I’m listening to is convicting. Oftentimes the messages are subtle, not super obvious calls for rebellion. It reminds me of floating in the ocean. Without active swimming to keep up with the current, it only takes but a few minutes before I’ve drifted farther than I thought from the meeting spot on the beach.
The same can be said of my desires, dreams, or actions if I’m not vigilant as this passage calls us to be. I love how this passage highlights how we don’t just avoid deception for the sake of it or to conform to a certain standard, but because it’s who we are. We are the light in the Lord, children of light. And not just some days of the week, or as long as we do more good than bad, no…if we are in Christ, we are a new creation. We’re not just called to live differently, we are different.
Lord, please give me the strength and courage to live in the new identity that You’ve called me to. Search ways in me that are not of you, God, and empty words of the world that I’m letting define who I am apart from You.