⁸Remember that at one time you yourselves were darkness, blind to the truth, living in error and following evil, but now your lives have been changed by God. You’re now light in the Lord, knowing him and leading distinctive lives of truth and integrity. Live as children of light. ⁹Make sure your lifestyle is consistent with your new identity because light produces fruit – results that grow and which can be seen in all that is good (kind and generous), righteous (right and just) and true (sincere, showing no deceit). ¹⁰Discern what pleases the Lord. ¹¹Remember that light and darkness are opposites, so don’t share in the futile, worthless works of darkness. Instead, expose them. By leading such good lives, you will show up these works of darkness for what they really are. ¹²Do this because it is shameful even to mention the things that those who disobey God do in secret. ¹³But everything that is exposed to the light becomes visible. ¹⁴The light also has a transforming effect: those who once did works of darkness now become children of light.

As it is said:

‘Wake up, you who are asleep,

rise from the dead.

Come out of darkness

and Christ will shine his light on you.’

¹⁵Watch carefully how you live, therefore: pay close attention to your behavior, not being ignorant but wise. ¹⁶Don’t fritter away your lives, but use time well; make the most of every opportunity to do good because we live in evil times when most people don’t follow God. ¹⁷So don’t behave foolishly, ignoring God, but understand what the Lord’s will is, working out its implications for your everyday lives. ¹⁸Don’t lose control of your life by getting drunk on alcohol (which will lead to a wild, reckless lifestyle and ruin you), but instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit: constantly let the Holy Spirit energize you, direct you and change you to become more like Christ.

¹⁹Encourage one another by speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and songs that the Spirit inspires, to remind yourselves of what God has done for you in Christ. Get creative with music! Compose and play music fresh from your hearts, singing praise to the Lord joyfully. ²⁰Keep thanking God the Father for everything – all the countless blessings you’ve received from him – because you know and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:8-20

Key Thought: Use your time well, making the most of every opportunity to do good.