A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

EXPOSE THE DEEDS OF DARKNESS 

Ephesians 5:11 “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” 

According to the Greek to English Lexicon, the Greek word from which in today’s devotional verse is translated “expose” means, “to state that someone has done wrong, with the implication that there is adequate proof of such wrongdoing. . . “ Stand up, stand up for Jesus, a hymn with which you are familiar, urges you as a “soldier of the cross” of Jesus to take a public stand regarding your faith and trust in Jesus when your faith is under attack. 

Jesus called you to take such a stand when He said, “Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33) Four verses later Jesus said, “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:38-39)   

“You are light to the world.” (Matthew 5:14) (Yesterdays devotion) Light shines into the world that is pitch black because of sin, illuminates the terrible sins and their results, exposing them for what they are. The light you are that exposes does not do this to embarrass. It does so to cause those living in darkness to see Jesus and the saving work He has done for them.   

The darkened world strives to draw you into its darkness. The light of Jesus that He has shined in your heart reveals to you a different path for your life. The path Jesus has created for you leads you to your heavenly Father’s love, forgiveness, and the eternal life He desires you to have though faith in His son.   

Prayer: Use me Lord, to expose the evil in this world and point sinners to Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins and eternal life in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross,
Lift high His royal banner; It must not suffer loss.
From vict’ry unto vict’ry His army He shall lead
Till ev’ry foe is vanquished, And Christ is Lord indeed. 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus; The trumpet call obey;
Stand forth in mighty conflict In this His glorious day.
Let all His faithful serve Him Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger And strength to strength oppose. 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus; Stand in His strength alone.
The arm of flesh will fail you, Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor; Each piece put on with prayer.
|Where duty calls or danger, Be never wanting there. 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus; The strife will not be long;
This day the din of battle, The next the victor’s song.
The soldiers, overcoming, Their crown of life shall see
And with the King of Glory Shall reign eternally.  (LSB 660)