Continuing the commands of living a Christ-like life in every area of life from 4:17, Christians must prove their love for Christ through pure living (5:1-5). Christians’ lives must not have a hint of the various forms of sin that characterize unbelievers’ lives (v. 3-5). Anyone whose life is characterized by sin will not be in Christ’s coming Kingdom (v. 5).

Christians must live like Christ, not like the Devil (vv. 6-21). They must beware of false teaching (vv. 6-7), live holy lives (vv. 8-10), and have nothing to do with sin (vv. 11-14). Christ-like living is careful, wise, prudent, and obedient (vv. 15-17). Such living is the result of being controlled by the Holy Spirit (v. 18), which is evidenced from the heart in edification, worship, and mutual respect (vv. 19-21).

Christian wives and husbands must live like Christ in their marriages, each fulfilling their various roles and responsibilities, recognizing that marriage pictures the relationship Christ has with his church (vv. 22-33).

Truths to Nail Down and Meditate On

1. Only those who have been born again will enter and be present in the coming Kingdom of God (v. 5; cf. John 3:3). Being born again is proven by one’s character of life (cf. Rom 14:17).
2. Being filled with the Spirit (v. 18) does not mean one has more of the Spirit, but that one is controlled by the Spirit. This is another way of saying walking in or being led by the Spirit (Gal 5:16, 18). Throughout the Christian’s life he must obey what God the Spirit says in Scripture and depend on him for strength to do so. This is what it means to be filled with, led by, and walk in the Spirit.
3. Marriage was created by God during the creation week before sin entered the world (Gen 2:18-25). God created definite order in marriage with separate roles and responsibilities for the husband and wife. Such differences do not mean one is better or less important than the other; there are different roles within the Triune God!