September 21, 2025 • 25 mins
The cold stone walls of a Roman prison serve as our backdrop as we slip through time to sit beside the Apostle Paul while he pens his profound letter to the Ephesians. The steady footsteps of guards echo in the distance, chains clink against worn wrists, but the flame of truth burns brighter than any darkness that surrounds it.
Ephesians 5 comes alive as we experience it through Paul's perspective—his passion palpable, his concern genuine, his hope undiminished despite his circumstances. The apostle's words resonate with remarkable relevance: "Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light." His call to walk in love, to live as children of light, and to make the most of every opportunity cuts through centuries to challenge us today.
What does it mean to imitate God? How do we walk in sacrificial love like Christ? These aren't abstract theological questions but practical daily decisions about our speech, our time, our relationships. Paul's prison perspective gives fresh urgency to his exhortations about rejecting what belongs to darkness and embracing what reflects light. His words on Spirit-filled living—expressing gratitude, worshiping authentically, submitting to one another—offer a counterculture vision as revolutionary now as when first written.
The power of this chapter isn't confined by prison walls or historical distance. These words travel beyond Rome, beyond time, reaching us in our homes, cars, and daily routines. They invite us to examine our lives: Do our words build up or tear down? Do we redeem our time or waste it? Does our love reflect Christ's sacrifice? The days are short, the world watches, and as Paul reminds us, "the children of light must shine." Join us in experiencing Scripture not just as ancient text, but as living truth that transforms from the inside out.
Music Credit: "To Center" by Garden Friend
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
In the Field Audio Bi (06:54):
Yesterday , I urged you to live worthy of
your calling, to embrace unityand peace, to leave behind the
old self and clothe yourselvesin the new.
Today I must press deeper.
I want you to understand thelife you are called to, the
manner in which you are to walk,be imitators of God.
(07:19):
I write slowly, choosing eachword with care, as dearly loved
children walk in love, just asChrist loved us and gave himself
up for us, a fragrant offeringand sacrifice to God.
(07:40):
I pause and look directly atyou, as though you are sitting
right here beside me on thiscold stone bench.
Do you hear it?
This love is not like the lovethe world knows.
It is not fragile orself-seeking.
It is steadfast, it issacrificial.
(08:03):
It is the very life of Christpoured out for all of us.
The guard shifts beyond thewalls, the faint metallic scrape
of his armor punctuating thesilence.
But here, in the small dim room, the truth burns brightly,
lighting the darkness with afire no prison can contain.
(08:26):
I dip my pen once more and writeabout purity, that you must
guard your hearts, your words,your lives.
The temptations around you aremany greed, impurity, foolish
talk, coarse jesting, thingsunworthy of those called by God.
(08:47):
You must reject them all.
For once you were darkness, butnow you are light in the Lord.
Therefore, walk as children oflight.
I see the weight of these wordssettle on you, and I understand
.
The city of Ephesus, with itscrowded markets, its fragrant
(09:11):
incense burning to false godsand its clamor of voices
offering empty promises, is notan easy place to live this way,
but you have been raised fromdeath to life.
Your walk must reflect that newreality.
Look carefully, then, how youwalk.
(09:32):
I urge, not as unwise but aswise, making the most of every
opportunity, because the daysare evil.
I remind you to be filled withthe Spirit, to sing psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs withthankfulness in your hearts to
God.
Gratitude must be your constantcompanion, giving thanks always
(09:56):
for everything, in the name ofour Lord Jesus Christ.
The guard exhales his breath,heavy and slow.
To him, this is just anotherprisoner and a visitor passing
time in a cell, but you and Iknow it is more than that.
(10:18):
This moment, these words arealive.
These words are alive.
They will travel far beyondRome, beyond these walls, and
shape lives for generations.
I set my pen down and lean backagainst the stone, the chains at
(10:40):
my wrist, a sharp reminder ofmy present suffering and my
eternal hope.
Will you walk in this love, Iask softly.
A sharp reminder of my presentsuffering and my eternal hope.
Will you walk in this love, Iask softly.
Will you walk as light in thedarkness?
Will your life be a song ofpraise and thanksgiving, a
(11:04):
reflection of the Spiritdwelling within?
The lamp's flame flickers, lowNight approaches beyond the
barred window, but the light wecarry must never dim.
Come, walk with me now throughthese words, for the hour is
late and the children of lightmust shine Now.
(11:30):
Let's take a moment to quiet ourhearts and listen to the word
itself.
Let these words sink deep intoyour Spirit, bringing you
comfort, conviction andencouragement, whether you're
sitting in a quiet place or outin the world.
Allow Scripture to meet youright where you are.
I hope you have your favoritecup of tea or coffee.
(11:53):
Sit back, relax and let's stepinto the sacred text of the
Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians5.
The Epistle of Paul to theEphesians 5.
(12:20):
Therefore, be imitators of Godas beloved children, and live in
love, as Christ loved us andgave himself up for us, a
fragrant offering and sacrificeto God.
But fornication and impurity ofany kind or greed must not even
(12:41):
be mentioned among you, as isproper among saints.
Entirely out of place isobscene, silly and vulgar talk,
but instead let there bethanksgiving Be sure of this
that no fornicator or impureperson, or one who is greedy
(13:03):
that is an idolater, or one whois greedy that is an idolater,
has any inheritance in thekingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no one deceive you withempty words, for because these
things, the wrath of God comeson those who are disobedient.
Therefore, do not be associatedwith them.
For once you were darkness, butnow, in the Lord, you are light
(13:28):
.
Live as children of light, forthe fruit of the light is found
in all that is good and rightand true.
Try to find out what ispleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the unfruitfulworks of darkness, but instead
expose them, For it is shamefuleven to mention what such people
(13:50):
do secretly.
But everything exposed by thelight becomes visible, for
everything that becomes visibleis light.
Therefore, it says Sleeperawake, rise from the dead and
Christ will shine on you.
Be careful, then, how you live,not as unwise people, but as
(14:13):
wise, making the most of thetime because the days are evil.
So do not be foolish, butunderstand what the will of the
Lord is.
Do not get drunk with wine, forthat is debauchery, but be
filled with the Spirit as yousing psalms and hymns and
(14:33):
spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to
the Lord in your hearts.
Give thanks to God, the Father,at all times and for everything
, in the name of our Lord JesusChrist.
Be subject to one another out ofreverence for Christ.
Wives be subject to yourhusbands as you are to the Lord,
(14:55):
for the husband is the head ofthe wife, just as Christ is the
head of the church, the body ofwhich he is the Savior, the body
of which he is the Savior.
Just as the church is subjectto Christ, so also wives ought
to be in everything to theirhusbands.
Husbands, love your wives.
Just as Christ loved the churchand gave himself up for her in
(15:20):
order to make her holy, bycleansing her with the washing
of water, by the word, so as topresent the church to himself in
splendor without a spot orwrinkle or anything of the kind
yes, so that she may be holy andwithout blemish.
In the same way, husbandsshould love their wives as they
(15:43):
do their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loveshimself, for no one ever hates
his own body, but he nourishesand tenderly cares for it, just
as Christ does for the church,because we are members of his
body.
For this reason, a man willleave his father and mother and
be joined to his wife, and thetwo will become one flesh.
(16:07):
This is a great mystery, and Iam applying it to Christ in the
church.
Each of you, however, shouldlove his wife as himself, and a
wife should respect her husband.
(16:29):
The lamp's flame flickers low,stretching shadows like
whispered prayers across thecold stone walls.
The air is cool, heavy with thescent of damp earth and iron.
My wrists shift the chainsrattling softly as I settle back
(16:50):
onto the hard bench.
Outside these iron bars.
The guards' footsteps keeptheir slow, steady rhythm, a
reminder of the world pressingin.
But here with you beside me,the weight of these walls feels
lighter.
The weight of these walls feelslighter.
(17:10):
Together we have walked throughthese words, not merely as
letters inked on parchment, butas a call to life itself.
Now, before the night fallsfully, I want you to carry these
truths close, not just in yourmind, but deep into your daily
living.
Ask yourself this how do I walkin love?
(17:34):
Today?
Is my love shaped by theexample of Christ, the love that
gave without counting the cost,that forgave without holding
grudges, that served withoutseeking reward?
Love is not a fleeting emotionor a convenient choice.
It is the way you greet yourfamily in the morning, the way
(17:56):
you listen when others speak,the patience you offer in
moments of frustration.
It is sacrificial andpersistent.
Look at your speech.
Do your words build others upor do they tear down?
Ephesians 5, warns againstfoolish talk and coarse joking,
(18:18):
things that can wound ordistract from holiness.
Today, make your speech asource of healing and
encouragement.
Choose words that reflect thelight within you, words that
breathe peace and hope, evenwhen it's hard.
Consider your time how do youredeem it?
(18:40):
The days are short and eviloften seeks to steal your
attention and sap your strength.
To steal your attention and sapyour strength.
Guard your hours with wisdom.
Avoid distractions that pullyou away from what truly matters
.
Growing in the Spirit, servingthose around you, seeking God's,
(19:01):
will make room for prayer, forscripture, for quiet moments
where the Spirit can fill yourheart and guide your steps.
Gratitude must become yourdaily song, not only for
blessings easy to see, but fortrials that refine you, for
(19:22):
challenges that stretch yourfaith, for the constant presence
of Christ walking beside you.
Let thanksgiving rise in yourheart like incense, a fragrant
offering that changes yourperspective and shapes your
actions.
Remember also the call to walkas children of light.
(19:43):
This means choosing honestyover deceit, means choosing
honesty over deceit, purity overtemptation, generosity over
greed.
It means stepping out incourage to expose what is hidden
and to live openly for Christin every part of your life, your
work, your friendships, yourfamily.
(20:07):
I urge you to let the Spiritfill you daily, for it is he who
empowers you to live this way,not by your own strength, but by
His grace.
Sing psalms and hymns andspiritual songs, not just with
your lips, but from your heart.
Let your whole being become amelody of praise.
(20:29):
Your heart, Let your wholebeing become a melody of praise,
a testimony to the God whoredeems and transforms.
Though I am here in chains, Iam free in hope, because these
words we share are not confinedby walls or guards.
They travel beyond Rome, beyondtime reaching you now.
Take them, live them and letyour life shine with the light
(20:54):
of Christ.
The guard's footsteps fade intothe distance.
The night will come and soonthis lamp will burn out, but the
light within you, the love, thewisdom, the gratitude must
never dim.
Walk wisely, redeem your time,be filled with the Spirit and,
(21:21):
above all, walk in love asChrist loved you.
For the days are short, theworld watches and the children
of light must shine.
Thank you for joining me todayas we journey through the
epistle of Paul to the Ephesians, chapter 5.
(21:41):
I pray that you carry thesereflections with you into your
day, into your week, and thatyou find strength in knowing God
is with you in every trial,every temptation and every step
of obedience.
If this time in God's Word hasencouraged you, take a moment to
(22:01):
share with someone who mightneed it, and be sure to join me
next time, as we continuewalking through the scriptures,
learning, growing, and stayingfaithful in the field of life.
Until next time, may you findpeace in the quiet, trust in
God's call, and rest in Hisunchanging love.
(22:23):
This is In the Field Audio Bible, where we Listen to the Bible
One Chapter at a Time.
Yesterday , I urged you to live worthy of
your calling, to embrace unityand peace, to leave behind the
old self and clothe yourselvesin the new.
Today I must press deeper.
I want you to understand thelife you are called to, the
manner in which you are to walk,be imitators of God.
(07:19):
I write slowly, choosing eachword with care, as dearly loved
children walk in love, just asChrist loved us and gave himself
up for us, a fragrant offeringand sacrifice to God.
(07:40):
I pause and look directly atyou, as though you are sitting
right here beside me on thiscold stone bench.
Do you hear it?
This love is not like the lovethe world knows.
It is not fragile orself-seeking.
It is steadfast, it issacrificial.
(08:03):
It is the very life of Christpoured out for all of us.
The guard shifts beyond thewalls, the faint metallic scrape
of his armor punctuating thesilence.
But here, in the small dim room, the truth burns brightly,
lighting the darkness with afire no prison can contain.
(08:26):
I dip my pen once more and writeabout purity, that you must
guard your hearts, your words,your lives.
The temptations around you aremany greed, impurity, foolish
talk, coarse jesting, thingsunworthy of those called by God.
(08:47):
You must reject them all.
For once you were darkness, butnow you are light in the Lord.
Therefore, walk as children oflight.
I see the weight of these wordssettle on you, and I understand
.
The city of Ephesus, with itscrowded markets, its fragrant
(09:11):
incense burning to false godsand its clamor of voices
offering empty promises, is notan easy place to live this way,
but you have been raised fromdeath to life.
Your walk must reflect that newreality.
Look carefully, then, how youwalk.
(09:32):
I urge, not as unwise but aswise, making the most of every
opportunity, because the daysare evil.
I remind you to be filled withthe Spirit, to sing psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs withthankfulness in your hearts to
God.
Gratitude must be your constantcompanion, giving thanks always
(09:56):
for everything, in the name ofour Lord Jesus Christ.
The guard exhales his breath,heavy and slow.
To him, this is just anotherprisoner and a visitor passing
time in a cell, but you and Iknow it is more than that.
(10:18):
This moment, these words arealive.
These words are alive.
They will travel far beyondRome, beyond these walls, and
shape lives for generations.
I set my pen down and lean backagainst the stone, the chains at
(10:40):
my wrist, a sharp reminder ofmy present suffering and my
eternal hope.
Will you walk in this love, Iask softly.
A sharp reminder of my presentsuffering and my eternal hope.
Will you walk in this love, Iask softly.
Will you walk as light in thedarkness?
Will your life be a song ofpraise and thanksgiving, a
(11:04):
reflection of the Spiritdwelling within?
The lamp's flame flickers, lowNight approaches beyond the
barred window, but the light wecarry must never dim.
Come, walk with me now throughthese words, for the hour is
late and the children of lightmust shine Now.
(11:30):
Let's take a moment to quiet ourhearts and listen to the word
itself.
Let these words sink deep intoyour Spirit, bringing you
comfort, conviction andencouragement, whether you're
sitting in a quiet place or outin the world.
Allow Scripture to meet youright where you are.
I hope you have your favoritecup of tea or coffee.
(11:53):
Sit back, relax and let's stepinto the sacred text of the
Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians5.
The Epistle of Paul to theEphesians 5.
(12:20):
Therefore, be imitators of Godas beloved children, and live in
love, as Christ loved us andgave himself up for us, a
fragrant offering and sacrificeto God.
But fornication and impurity ofany kind or greed must not even
(12:41):
be mentioned among you, as isproper among saints.
Entirely out of place isobscene, silly and vulgar talk,
but instead let there bethanksgiving Be sure of this
that no fornicator or impureperson, or one who is greedy
(13:03):
that is an idolater, or one whois greedy that is an idolater,
has any inheritance in thekingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no one deceive you withempty words, for because these
things, the wrath of God comeson those who are disobedient.
Therefore, do not be associatedwith them.
For once you were darkness, butnow, in the Lord, you are light
(13:28):
.
Live as children of light, forthe fruit of the light is found
in all that is good and rightand true.
Try to find out what ispleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the unfruitfulworks of darkness, but instead
expose them, For it is shamefuleven to mention what such people
(13:50):
do secretly.
But everything exposed by thelight becomes visible, for
everything that becomes visibleis light.
Therefore, it says Sleeperawake, rise from the dead and
Christ will shine on you.
Be careful, then, how you live,not as unwise people, but as
(14:13):
wise, making the most of thetime because the days are evil.
So do not be foolish, butunderstand what the will of the
Lord is.
Do not get drunk with wine, forthat is debauchery, but be
filled with the Spirit as yousing psalms and hymns and
(14:33):
spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to
the Lord in your hearts.
Give thanks to God, the Father,at all times and for everything
, in the name of our Lord JesusChrist.
Be subject to one another out ofreverence for Christ.
Wives be subject to yourhusbands as you are to the Lord,
(14:55):
for the husband is the head ofthe wife, just as Christ is the
head of the church, the body ofwhich he is the Savior, the body
of which he is the Savior.
Just as the church is subjectto Christ, so also wives ought
to be in everything to theirhusbands.
Husbands, love your wives.
Just as Christ loved the churchand gave himself up for her in
(15:20):
order to make her holy, bycleansing her with the washing
of water, by the word, so as topresent the church to himself in
splendor without a spot orwrinkle or anything of the kind
yes, so that she may be holy andwithout blemish.
In the same way, husbandsshould love their wives as they
(15:43):
do their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loveshimself, for no one ever hates
his own body, but he nourishesand tenderly cares for it, just
as Christ does for the church,because we are members of his
body.
For this reason, a man willleave his father and mother and
be joined to his wife, and thetwo will become one flesh.
(16:07):
This is a great mystery, and Iam applying it to Christ in the
church.
Each of you, however, shouldlove his wife as himself, and a
wife should respect her husband.
(16:29):
The lamp's flame flickers low,stretching shadows like
whispered prayers across thecold stone walls.
The air is cool, heavy with thescent of damp earth and iron.
My wrists shift the chainsrattling softly as I settle back
(16:50):
onto the hard bench.
Outside these iron bars.
The guards' footsteps keeptheir slow, steady rhythm, a
reminder of the world pressingin.
But here with you beside me,the weight of these walls feels
lighter.
The weight of these walls feelslighter.
(17:10):
Together we have walked throughthese words, not merely as
letters inked on parchment, butas a call to life itself.
Now, before the night fallsfully, I want you to carry these
truths close, not just in yourmind, but deep into your daily
living.
Ask yourself this how do I walkin love?
(17:34):
Today?
Is my love shaped by theexample of Christ, the love that
gave without counting the cost,that forgave without holding
grudges, that served withoutseeking reward?
Love is not a fleeting emotionor a convenient choice.
It is the way you greet yourfamily in the morning, the way
(17:56):
you listen when others speak,the patience you offer in
moments of frustration.
It is sacrificial andpersistent.
Look at your speech.
Do your words build others upor do they tear down?
Ephesians 5, warns againstfoolish talk and coarse joking,
(18:18):
things that can wound ordistract from holiness.
Today, make your speech asource of healing and
encouragement.
Choose words that reflect thelight within you, words that
breathe peace and hope, evenwhen it's hard.
Consider your time how do youredeem it?
(18:40):
The days are short and eviloften seeks to steal your
attention and sap your strength.
To steal your attention and sapyour strength.
Guard your hours with wisdom.
Avoid distractions that pullyou away from what truly matters
.
Growing in the Spirit, servingthose around you, seeking God's,
(19:01):
will make room for prayer, forscripture, for quiet moments
where the Spirit can fill yourheart and guide your steps.
Gratitude must become yourdaily song, not only for
blessings easy to see, but fortrials that refine you, for
(19:22):
challenges that stretch yourfaith, for the constant presence
of Christ walking beside you.
Let thanksgiving rise in yourheart like incense, a fragrant
offering that changes yourperspective and shapes your
actions.
Remember also the call to walkas children of light.
(19:43):
This means choosing honestyover deceit, means choosing
honesty over deceit, purity overtemptation, generosity over
greed.
It means stepping out incourage to expose what is hidden
and to live openly for Christin every part of your life, your
work, your friendships, yourfamily.
(20:07):
I urge you to let the Spiritfill you daily, for it is he who
empowers you to live this way,not by your own strength, but by
His grace.
Sing psalms and hymns andspiritual songs, not just with
your lips, but from your heart.
Let your whole being become amelody of praise.
(20:29):
Your heart, Let your wholebeing become a melody of praise,
a testimony to the God whoredeems and transforms.
Though I am here in chains, Iam free in hope, because these
words we share are not confinedby walls or guards.
They travel beyond Rome, beyondtime reaching you now.
Take them, live them and letyour life shine with the light
(20:54):
of Christ.
The guard's footsteps fade intothe distance.
The night will come and soonthis lamp will burn out, but the
light within you, the love, thewisdom, the gratitude must
never dim.
Walk wisely, redeem your time,be filled with the Spirit and,
(21:21):
above all, walk in love asChrist loved you.
For the days are short, theworld watches and the children
of light must shine.
Thank you for joining me todayas we journey through the
epistle of Paul to the Ephesians, chapter 5.
(21:41):
I pray that you carry thesereflections with you into your
day, into your week, and thatyou find strength in knowing God
is with you in every trial,every temptation and every step
of obedience.
If this time in God's Word hasencouraged you, take a moment to
(22:01):
share with someone who mightneed it, and be sure to join me
next time, as we continuewalking through the scriptures,
learning, growing, and stayingfaithful in the field of life.
Until next time, may you findpeace in the quiet, trust in
God's call, and rest in Hisunchanging love.
(22:23):
This is In the Field Audio Bible, where we Listen to the Bible
One Chapter at a Time.
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