Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
We’ve come now to verse 6. Paul begins with the command, “Don’t let anyone deceive you with their empty words.” In the first part of the warning, he tells us not to allow deception. In other words, we are supposed to be able to detect deception when we hear it, and then we are to prevent ourselves from believing the deceptive rhetoric.
This is not always easy because deception often comes in the form of smooth and sophisticated language. We are to be so steeped in the Word of God that deception is easy to pick out. This means taking the time to be in the Word and to be meditating on it frequently.
In the remainder of the sentence we learn why we should not be deceived. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. What things is he talking about? I think he is referring back to verses 3-5. Sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, and the like are not proper for Christians. We already discussed that. But here in verse 6, Paul is telling us that there will be people speaking smooth words who will try to tell us that these things are so common and characteristic of us human beings, that they are not all that bad. But the truth is, these sinful deeds are the reason the wrath of God will be coming.
In verse 7 he says “Therefore, do not be partners with them.” Do you really want to involve yourself in the same activities the godless are practicing, when you know that those very activities are what triggers the wrath of God to come upon them? What would that do to your testimony? And what would be the irony on judgment day when your friends see you released from judgment because of the blood of Christ, and they themselves are being condemned; and they know that you participated with them in the same sinful activities?
This is cruel at many levels. You knew all along that what you all were doing was going to bring judgment, and yet you, knowing the remedy and means of salvation, still participated with them in the activities that would condemn them. That is cruel on its face!
God says that the kind of activity described in this passage should not be named among us, it is not proper for saints, and these very activities are what is bringing judgment on the world. Steer clear!
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 3:56 PM May 4, 2021.