Dark Signs – Ephesians 5:12-14 (NIV)

Dark Signs – Ephesians 5:12-14 (NIV)

12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

Verse 12 is referring back to earlier verses in this chapter and how we are not to act like Gentiles anymore. We are not to do those things and it’s even shameful to mention what they (we used to) do. We are to have nothing to do with those deeds and, in fact, we are to expose them.

Here he continues and says that when they are exposed they become visible and even become a light. When evil deeds are exposed for their evil, when they are seen, recognized, weighed and declared as evil, a light has been created because of them.

When they become visible, the contrast created between the evil and good can be seen clearly. This creates a sign pointing to what is right and good by contrast.

Some say Paul is quoting Isaiah 60:1 here in verse 14. It can be debated which means the implications can be debated. Regardless of what he’s quoting, I believe the idea is that when we awaken to righteousness, when we determine our ways are sinful and expose them to the light, Christ will shine upon us. The contrast will be visible and we will be able to see and choose Him over the darkness.