And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11
The US state of Louisiana has a serious problem with a small but persistent insect known as the Formosan termite. Introduced by ships arriving in the port of New Orleans, the Formosan termite is rapidly spreading throughout the state and to other areas. This termite consumes wood at a rapid pace, and has already destroyed many homes and other buildings. Because they work in darkness, the damage they cause often goes unnoticed until too late. This termite is impossible to kill with any of the approved pesticides. But there is one thing that the Formosan termite cannot tolerate: light. The only way to stop them in their destructive purpose is to expose them to daylight. Doesn’t that sound just like the works of the devil?
The Lord Jesus pointed out that darkness is the preferred domain of the wicked: ‘For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved’ (John 3:20). Our personal experience proves this to be true, as we recall in our unconverted days our aversion to the light of the Word of God. In contrast, the righteous, those who have been saved by God’s grace, love the light, and are repulsed by the darkness. But sometimes, we are not as quick to avoid the darkness as we should be. Otherwise, today’s text would not be in our Bible. It is possible for believers to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. But it is wrong to do so. That is according to 1 John 1:5-6: ‘This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth’. The fellowship that our text speaks of is further defined in 2 Corinthians 6:14: ‘Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?’
Our text goes further than telling us to avoid sinful behaviour and ungodly practices. We are to reprove those things. The word ‘reprove’ refers to exposing those evil things for what they are. God has not changed His standards and His definitions of what is sin. But the world has. Things that were shameful to even speak of not many years ago are openly embraced and promoted. I recently heard a radio interview with an organization that promotes pornography as ‘useful and normal’. Not according to the Word of God! And not according to Christians, says our text.
Regardless of what the world accepts, what God rejects – and condemns – as the unfruitful works of darkness ought to be rejected – and condemned – by His people as well. -Jim MacIntosh