Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Therefore, do not become their partners. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light-for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, and truth-discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. Everything exposed by the light is made clear, for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said: Get up sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you. Ephesians 5:6-14 HCSB
It is so easy for us to point the finger at someone else when they get caught doing wrong. But we must be very careful. The old saying, “but by the grace of God, go I” is very true my friend. When we stray just a tiny bit from our walk with God, the devil is right there to take us by the hand and guide us into darkness. Now I say this because I have been saddened by the story that has been running in our local newspapers. You see a federal agent in our area was arrested on a multitude of charges. One of the first to testify at his trial was a former narcotics officer from our parish who was arrested along with him. This officer testified of extramarital affairs, consuming cocaine and heroine, tampering with evidence, providing false testimony in trials to get a conviction. Another officer testified that when they attempted to arrest someone that didn’t actually have an illegal substance on them that they stole evidence from the evidence locker and planted it on this subject in order to have something to arrest him on. Now all of these things were done in darkness. By darkness I mean the devil. You see if we give the devil the tiniest crack, he will step in and take over. He will make these things seem like a good idea. Now one could look at these people that were arrested and convicted and say that these officers knew that they were guilty of selling drugs and therefore it is not as if an innocent person was arrested, but the problem with this is that they did it illegally. They could just as easily have arrested you or me if they got mad at us for something. We could be sitting in prison for something we did not do. That is the scary part.
It’s so easy to read this story in the papers and think how could they have gotten this out of hand? But let me tell you my friend, it is easy to do. I have never gotten caught up in anything illegal, but I have found myself in situations where my conduct was not pleasing to the Lord When we are not in close relationship with the Lord and are not striving to please Him, then it is easy for the devil to take over.
Our scripture passage begins by saying, “Let no one deceive you”. When someone has something that we want or can help us get where we want to be, it is easy for them to deceive us. One of the young men who testified wanted to be a federal agent. He thought that this man was going to help him do just that. Now instead, he faces federal charges and the chance of being a federal prisoner.
We all walk a thin line each and every day. There is no gray area, either we are obedient to God or we are not. We are either walking in the light or walking in darkness. We must choose. The good thing is that if you are walking in darkness, know that the light overcomes darkness but darkness can never overcome the light. A room will only become dark if you turn the light off, right? But as soon as the light is turned on, the darkness is overcome. God can overcome any temptations you may face, but you must reach out to Him. You must spend time daily in prayer and bible study. You need to spend time with fellow believers in bible study and prayer. We must do all we can to stay in the light. Don’t be deceived by those that tell you that it is okay and you wont’ get caught. Know that God’s wrath is coming on them for their disobedience. Don’t get caught up in what they are doing.
Luke 8:17 tells us that nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and come to light. Many prisoners sitting in jail today did what they did because they thought that they would never be caught. They were wrong.
I ask you today to join me in prayer for those officers that fell into temptation and their families as they go through these trying times. I also ask you to remember that when we stray from God, the devil is waiting to take our hand. Be very careful. Don’t fall into temptation. The smallest thing can lead to the biggest sin if we are not careful. Now we all know that there are no small sins and no big sins, sin is sin. But there are small consequences and big consequences so be very careful.
Have a great day!