[Introduction]
Hallelujah.
I believe we have lived this past week under the grace of the Lord.
Dear brothers and sisters,
I want to ask you an honest question today:
Are we passionate in church,
but in our daily lives,
do we become “spiritual chameleons” who easily change?
The most dangerous spiritual crisis
is not in the storm—
it is after the storm.
When we face overwhelming trials,
we desperately cry out to God.
But what happens
when we return to ordinary, exhausting daily life?
We compromise—so easily.
We laugh along with jokes that tear others down.
When it comes to money, we live no differently from the world.
When things don’t go our way,
our lips quickly overflow with complaints and resentment.
The powerful confession we made in moments of grace
seems to lose all its strength in real life.
In today’s passage,
the Apostle Paul speaks directly to people like us.
“Do you say you have become light through the cross?
Then why do your words and your life
still carry the smell of darkness?”
Paul does not say,
“Try to reduce these things little by little.”
He draws a clear line:
“Do not even let them be named among you.”
Stop living like a chameleon.
Live as light—completely separated from darkness.
Today,
as those who have received the identity of light
through the blood of the cross,
we will examine how to remove
the hidden remnants of darkness in our daily lives.
And here in Enterprise,
we will learn how to restore the language of gratitude
and walk as true children of light.
⸻
[Point 1]
Cut off the habits of darkness and fill your lips with thanksgiving (vv. 3–7)
The first decision we must make is this:
We must decisively cut off
the dark habits remaining in us
and fill our lips with thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:3–4 says:
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,
or of any kind of impurity, or of greed…
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking…
but rather thanksgiving.”
Paul knew the city of Ephesus very well.
It was a place where immorality and greed
were normalized—even justified through religion.
People called it pleasure.
They called it humor.
But Paul was clear:
Greed is not just desire—
it is idolatry.
Anything that places our satisfaction above God
is darkness.
Notice the phrase: “coarse joking.”
In Greek, it originally meant “clever humor.”
Something positive.
But Paul calls it darkness.
Why?
Because that humor
often tears others down
or hides vulgarity behind laughter.
The world calls this “charming.”
But Scripture says:
“It is not fitting for God’s people.”
Think about the Israelites in the wilderness.
What destroyed them?
Was it the harsh environment?
Was it powerful enemies?
No.
It was complaining and grumbling—
the language of darkness.
Dark words are contagious.
One person’s complaint
can infect an entire community.
Brothers and sisters,
as I prepared this message,
my own heart was convicted.
I, too, sometimes compromise—
trying to fit in, like a spiritual chameleon.
Let us examine our lives honestly.
How often do we follow the world’s language
just to match the mood?
How often do we laugh along
with gossip and crude humor?
Paul says clearly:
“Do not even let these things be named.”
There is a concept:
“Don’t think of an elephant.”
The moment you hear it,
you think of an elephant.
Naming something
gives it space in your mind.
When we say,
“I shouldn’t gossip,”
we are already filled with that thought.
Darkness spreads even through naming it.
So Scripture tells us:
Don’t fight it by naming it—
replace it.
Remove the name of darkness
and fill that place with thanksgiving.
Holiness begins here:
With your lips.
This week,
let us speak a different language:
The language of gratitude.
And when thanksgiving is declared,
darkness will retreat.
⸻
[Point 2]
Discern what pleases the Lord and bear the fruit of light (vv. 8–14)
Second,
we must learn to discern
what pleases the Lord in every moment.
Ephesians 5:8,10 says:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light…
and find out what pleases the Lord.”
We are no longer just avoiding darkness—
we are called to actively shine.
Ask yourself:
“Does this decision please the Lord?”
“Will this make Him smile?”
That is the standard.
And when light enters darkness,
something happens.
Verse 11 says:
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,
but rather expose them.”
This does not mean condemning others.
It means
your life itself
makes darkness uncomfortable.
Let me share a story.
My younger brother,
when he entered university,
attended a welcome party.
The department head personally poured him a drink
and said, “Here, have a glass.”
In that culture,
refusing that drink
was almost unthinkable.
He had every excuse
to blend in.
But he said:
“Professor, I’m sorry.
I am preparing for ministry,
so I cannot accept this.”
What do you think happened?
The room went silent.
It became uncomfortable.
His choice did not improve the mood—
it exposed the darkness.
But something amazing happened later.
That professor, who was not a believer,
began to watch him closely.
Eventually,
he even helped him pursue studies abroad.
God used
that uncomfortable moment of truth
to open a path.
Brothers and sisters,
Living as light
sometimes means breaking the atmosphere.
Do not base your decisions
on social pressure.
Light does not adapt—
it reveals truth.
People may feel uncomfortable.
But do not be afraid.
True light awakens conscience.
⸻
[Conclusion]
Let me close.
People can recognize a luxury brand
even without its logo.
Why?
Because the quality, the detail—
the essence—cannot be hidden.
So let me ask you:
Without saying,
“I am a Christian,”
can people see Christ in you?
In your words,
your choices,
your expressions—
Is the light visible?
We were not originally light.
We were darkness.
But Christ
entered into the deepest darkness for us.
At the cross,
He bore it all—
and we received His light.
So to live in compromise now
is not a small mistake—
It is taking the cross lightly.
Tomorrow,
you will return to your daily life in Enterprise.
The same people,
the same conversations will be there.
Someone will gossip.
Someone will suggest compromise.
Someone will complain.
In that moment,
you must choose:
Will you be a chameleon—
or light?
One sentence can change the atmosphere:
“Let’s not talk like that.”
“I’m still thankful.”
It may feel uncomfortable—
but it can awaken someone’s heart.
Yes, we are not perfect.
We still fail.
But God still says:
“You are light.”
Not because we are perfect—
but because of Christ.
Ephesians 5:14 says:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
This week,
with uncompromising lips
and unwavering choices,
may you live as light.
In Jesus’ name, I bless you.
Amen.
⸻
[Closing Prayer]
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding us today of who we truly are.
Lord, we confess that we have often lived as "Spiritual Chameleons," hiding our true identity just to fit in with the world. We admit our weaknesses—we are not perfect, we stumble, and we fail.
But we thank You for the Gospel. Thank You that we are light, not because of our own perfection, but because of Jesus Christ, who walked into the deepest darkness of the Cross for us.
Lord, we make a decision today. As we head back to our homes and workplaces in Enterprise this week, help us to delete the language of darkness from our lips. When grumbling and gossip rise within us, let the Holy Spirit intervene so that only thanksgiving overflows.
Help us not to seek the approval of the world, but to ask: "What pleases the Lord?" Even if our light makes the world uncomfortable, let it be a light that awakens consciences and leads others to Your grace.
Bless every member of Smyrna Church. Just as a masterpiece is recognized by its quality, let our lives be recognized by Your love—even without a label. Let us rise as the children of light You have called us to be.
In the precious and shining name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
