Children of Light

Paul says that because they were once darkness but are now light in the Lord, they must walk as children of light whose fruit is goodness, righteousness, and truth. They are to discern what pleases the Lord, expose the barren works of darkness, and live in the awakening light of Christ.

F⁸or you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, ⁹for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. ¹⁰Test and prove what pleases the Lord. ¹¹Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹²For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself. ¹⁴So it is said:

Paul then urges them to walk carefully and wisely, making good use of the time because the days are evil. Rather than being drunk with wine, they are to be filled with the Spirit, speaking in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and giving thanks always to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. ¹⁹Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.