Paul continues his contrast between light and darkness as he exhorts the church in Ephesus. If the church was going to be the “one new man” of Ephesians 2:15, those in the church could not participate in the shameful practices of the pagan society. Paul uses two imperatives: do not participate but expose. The light of truth needs to shine on the darkness of sin for the purpose of walking in freedom.

The gospel is public truth while the pagans traffic in secrets. The sermon explains how secrets and the occult worked in the world of Asia Minor in the first century. We reference material in Acts where some Jewish exorcists failed badly when confronting demons. Extant material from Josephus shows that there were secret teachings and practices among the Jews as well as the pagans.

True freedom is relational not through secret processes. Those who know Christ are free from darkness while those who do not are still in bondage. The occult is just as prevalent in our world today and we explain how. The answer is only found through the true light that is found through a relationship with Christ. We also reference material in Isaiah where God rebukes those who traffic in secrets and points people to the truth that has been spoken by the Creator. The spiritists mutter and whisper unintelligible things. God speaks clear words that point us to the only way of salvation. Christ is the true light and salvation is through faith in Christ.