6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
This verse warns against those who attempt to seduce Christians away from their core beliefs about sexual morality.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty [hollow] words,
No one should deceive Christians in thinking that the previous verse was hollow words. “Empty” means void of content; these are words that do not relate to reality. These clever words contain no truth, God’s truth.
False teachers in Ephesus did not want to lose business in temple prostitution to Christianity, so they used empty words to seduce Christians back to their values.
for because of these things
The “these things” refer to the list of sins in verses three to five.
the wrath of God comes
The wrath of God will come on non-believers.
upon the sons of disobedience.
The “sons of disobedience” are non-Christians. It is in the very constitution or nature of the lost to manifest who they are in what they do.
PRINCIPLE:
God deals with rationalization in a summary way.
APPLICATION:
There is a strong contrast between believer and non-believer. Unbelievers set forth plausible ideas devoid of truth itself. Plausible ideas of the lost attempt to make sin palatable. They attempt to portray adultery as an alternative to biblical marriage.
Christians should not allow themselves to revert back into non-Christian values. There will always be those who will attempt to seduce believers by rationalization. Naïve Christians will always be vulnerable to deception. Seducers will sound plausible to the immature believer, their words appearing interesting and even attractive.
Hey Grant, got a big question I’m wrestling with.
I was wondering what you think about three things:
Magic in entertainment, and
Violence in video games(like shooters)
And zombies in entertainment.
Are these things ok to watch/read/play?
I’ve hear good arguments from both sides, but I just don’t know.
Some points
1. It’s just fake/entertainment,
2. All things are permitted(1 cor 10:23)
3. It’s ok because humans were created to be creative.
But as counter arguments you have psalm 101:3 and psalm 11:5, but then again it is just fake and entertainment.
Thanks, I’d appreciate any response!
P.s. I’ve heard it said that if it is personally convicting for one person to watch/read/play something, than they shouldn’t play it, but everyone else can, but that sounds pretty pragmatic to me, kinda like just listening to your heart. If something is a sin to be entertained by, it’s a sin for everyone, I don’t think it’s ok to live by feeling. I get that if you think something is a sin and still do it, even if it’s not, it is a sin because it takes disobedience in you to do it.
Corey, it is obvious that there is no extant biblical statement about the issues you list. These are judgments from Christianity liberty found in 1 Co 8-10 and Romans 14-15. The principle to keep in mind is whether something offends a weaker brother (not offend his biases).
question on everyones mind. right so does than mean paul’s warning them they can loose their salvation?
dale, this is not a warning about losing salvation, but a warning to Christians about letting false teachers deceive them. You may want to study this issue further here: https://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/doctrine/eternal-security-2/security-of-the-believer-3/
Philippians 4.8 is very explicit as is 2 Corinthians 3.16 – 18. We become what we look at and read and think about.