Let No One Deceive You With Empty Words

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU WITH EMPTY WORDS, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them."(Ephesians 5:1-7)

Jesus, speaking to His disciples, said "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you." (John 15:3)

It is evident to most that we should not give ourselves to foolishness, hurtful or raw joking, or filthy language. But Jesus instructs His disciples here to "let no one deceive you with empty words".  Fornication could be defined as unholy intimacy. Uncleanness could be defined as departing from that which makes, or keeps you clean.  Covetousness could be defined as desire for something, possibly a good thing, in an unrighteous way. Jesus informs His disciples that they "are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you".

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have SWORN and CONFIRMED that I will KEEP your righteous judgements." (Psalm 119:105,106)

"My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20-22)

His words show us the way to become a living sacrifice. Deceivers come, "therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (scattered in various directions, dispersed), but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:17,18)

It seems that Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, uses words like fornication and uncleanness to warn the church that an impure approach to the doctrine of Christ will receive the reward of disobedient sons.