I. INTRODUCTION 

You are not married to your spouse until you say “I do” to each other. Neither being in love emotionally nor agreeing intellectually that the one you love is a good match for you makes you married. Emotion and intellect play a part in marriage for sure, but the act of volition, or will, establishes marriage. 

So it is with Jesus Christ. The aforementioned parallel to human matrimony is a wonderful metaphor for being heavenly united with Christ. The analogy also aids in the understanding of Jesus’ statement in Matthew 7:21–23: 

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” 

A popular, faulty theology of “salvation” is called “easy believism.” At its core, there is a “belief ” in Jesus that does not take into consideration the biblical definition of who He is. Followers thus “receive” Jesus according to their understanding of who they think Jesus is—in contrast to what the Bible reveals. In Romans 10:9 the Scripture states: 

That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 

Believe in your heart (pisteuo kardia) is the Greek idea of volitional commitment—something Jesus says was not present in those about whom He was speaking in Matthew 7. The “Lord, Lord,” refers to the tragic faultiness of intellectual assent only, versus the believe-in-your-heart volitional commitment that is indicative of authentic salvation. These passages more than suggest that to be truly saved, a person must not only give intellectual agreement, but also submit volitionally to the fact that Jesus is Lord (kurios), which means “sovereign,” “master,” or “boss.” 

Kurios is used as a descriptor of Jesus 747 times in the New Testament (NT)! Biblically informed belief in Jesus then requires a person to turn from all other understanding(s) as to who he thinks Jesus is and bow the knee to His Lordship. This turning away is known as repentance. In contrast, self-informed thinking of Jesus—thinking of Him in a different way or in a lesser way will not be sufficient to bring about authentic salvation (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:4)! 

Interestingly, likened to the faith to believe in Jesus (which is a gift of God per Ephesians 2:8–9), repentance is also a gift from God. Importantly, notice the following passages in this regard: 

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Understanding Repentance 

Repentance is not a human work, but a gift from God synonymous with saving faith: 

When they [the other apostles] heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). 

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death (2 Corinthians 7:10). 

With gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25). 

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You can always discern true belief by the existence of humility over personal sin. Humbleness is a telltale sign that the Holy Spirit is in the process of saving and sanctifying His called-out ones. Conversely, if no brokenness and contrition over sin is evident, then a person’s salvation should rightly be questioned. 

To root out this misunderstanding, new Christians in Russia are instructed to refer to themselves as having repented (which is difficult to say if a person hasn’t really repented) versus referring to themselves as someone who has “received Christ”—a relatively easy statement to say. The presence of repentance and humility is a much better outward indication of an inner genuine conversion than someone’s glibly saying, “I received Christ.” To the point, the former is indicative of a volitional commitment; the latter could simply be indicative of an intellectual assent. 

In James 2:19, Scripture indicates that the kind of “belief ” a person possesses is profoundly important. Notice what the writer of James states to his deceived-about-true-salvation audience: 

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 

Demons display a correct intellectual understanding as to who Jesus is—but their intellectual assent is insufficient as evidenced by the belief in [their] hearts, i.e., their nonetheless volitional rebellion against the Lordship of Christ in their visceral inner being. Likened to those Jesus was addressing in Matthew 7, the demons also evidence that 

It is possible to acknowledge or “believe” in the Lordship of Christ without bowing the knee to the Lordship of Christ. 

James’ point is that that kind of “belief”— what is called “easy believism”—does not save a soul from hell. Christ will say to the easy believers, “I never knew you! Depart from Me.” 

What then are the signs of false belief, so that you can be sure you are not deceived about your own salvation or following a false teacher? Ephesians 5:5 is an excellent passage that provides tremendous insight and discernment regarding true salvation—not only in terms of a false understanding of true salvation but also a true understanding of false teachers regarding salvation. Let us drill down, ponder, and meditate on Ephesians 5:5–7 in particular with those two perspectives in mind. 

For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. 

Make sure you catch this: Paul lists four characteristics so that no one [can] deceive you with empty words lest you be partakers with them. Each of four revealed aspects that typify false belief and false teachers will follow—so that you will be spiritually wise and discerning about this matter! Therein is Paul’s objective today concerning your spiritual well-being! But before plunging in, I want to examine the context of Ephesians 5:5–7. 

II. THE CONTEXT OF THE PASSAGE 

Ephesians 5:5–7 is directly tied in to the discussion of sexual sin, which precedes these verses. However, at this juncture, Paul’s emphasis now segues into the larger, specific issue of habitual sexual sin as an indicator as to whether someone is truly saved. In other words, those who routinely sin as a lifestyle with no remorse or repentance—even though they may say they are Christians—are really not saved. In light of this important matter of spiritual discernment, many other passages reinforce the certainty of this biblical intention. 

Note the following citation from the Matthew 7 passage we have already reviewed that has now been placed in context by the preceding sentence: “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:20). This indictment underscores everything I am saying regarding the ensuing volitional actions of obedience to Christ being the only accurate indicators of true saving faith. The manifest ongoing sins in a person’s life, listed in Ephesians 5, run contrary to what Jesus states are indications of true saving faith, i.e., you will know them by their fruits. What follows are other similar passages that underscore this same truth: 

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves (James 1:22). 

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead (James 2:26). 

The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4). 

No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God (1 John 3:9). 

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20). 

All of these passages serve to elaborate on the biblical truth that good, not bad, fruit will characterize the truly regenerate: “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:20). 

There are many false professors of Jesus. 

What follows are the four outward characteristics of the false professors of and/or the false teachers of true salvation as evidenced by and in Ephesians 5:5. Again, knowing these indicators will greatly aid your spiritual discernment and personal wisdom: who are you going to listen to in terms of personal counsel as it relates to policy decisions, as well as spiritual advice? Knowing what Scripture teaches are the signs of false belief and false teachers will be of great aid to you. Let’s now “get into the weeds” as it pertains to best understanding all the profound truths of Ephesians 5:5. 

III. THEY ARE IMMORAL, IMPURE, AND COVETOUS 

All three of the Greek words from which the above descriptions are derived point to self-centeredness. 

Immorality (porneia) relates to pornography, prostitution, fornication, adultery, and child molestation. All are aberrant forms of sexual fulfillment that have no regard for the other person and sooner or later deeply scar other individuals. 

Impurity (akatharsia) relates to mental immorality, referring to the fantasy life and other forms of mental/sexual/selfish lusts. 

Covetousness (pleonektes) or greed refers directly to the self-gratification fixation and orientation, likened to both the easy believer and false teacher. 

Each of these words, which illustrate an “all-about-me” mentality, are descriptive of someone who thinks the world revolves around him. The truly saved, on the other hand, depict a habitual behavior quite to the contrary. They are dead to self (Galatians 2:20) and are more concerned about others than self (Philippians 2:3). They live to serve their Savior! In our passage under study, Paul is saying that we can know with certainty that people who display a continual, unrepentant sexual deviant lifestyle are not inheritors of Christ’s kingdom. 

The word for certainty (ginosko) at the beginning of Ephesians 5:5 can also be translated as “ascertain, come to know, comprehend, perceive and recognize” as it is used throughout the NT. For instance, in 1 John 5:13, God states that He wants believers to know they are for certain saved. The passage states: 

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 

God wants you to know for certain whether you are saved and to possess the ability to discern what characterizes true saving faith. 

When this list of indicators of false belief provided in this passage is combined with the list in 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, our ability to know with certainty who is saved and who is not loses much of its mystery. It reads: 

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 

By studying Ephesians 5:5 with 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, we begin to know who our mission field is, no matter what verbal allegiance to Christ they might testify to outwardly. Notice from these two passages the common words and underlying habitual sins that serve to double down on what the earmarks of falsities are. Seen another way, the passage being studied is a subset of this larger, more comprehensive portrayal of the unsaved. The Ephesian summary on sexual deviations, of their being immoral and impure, is more specifically identified when Paul pens the Corinthians: concomitant with easy believism and false teachers is habitual fornication, adultery and homosexuality. So 

Those who parade throughout the Capitol naming the name of Christ who approve of such unrighteousness are either terribly untaught as true believers—baby believers who will change when confronted by the perspicuity of Scripture— or else certainly not believers whatsoever. 

To calculate otherwise is to say that Scripture is not inspired and/or that Paul is somehow misled. If you think Paul’s litmus test to be a bit harsh, may I challenge you to allow the Scriptures, rather than your own, perhaps biblically uninformed thoughts on the subject, to be your guide in discerning who is most likely saved and who is not. Trust God and His Word to aid you in deciphering such things. 

IV. THEY ARE IDOLATERS 

Another indicator of the existence or nonexistence of true saving faith is the characteristic of idolatry. Idolaters are those who worship something over and above Jesus Christ, i.e., their primary occupation in life supersedes their honor for and loyalty to the Lord. Habitually and continually, something else is far more important to them—be it their non-biblical philosophies toward life, their vocational fixations (i.e., political career), their recreational pursuits, or their selfish obsessions with such tangibles as money and fame. When these kinds of obsessions compete with and diminish a person’s trust and dependence in the Lord, then that person is manifesting idolatrous behavior. It is no coincidence that the first two of the Ten Commandments are prohibitions relating directly to idolatry.1 Time and again in the Old Testament (OT), Israel fell into worshipping something other than the Lord God, and the consequences were disastrous. 

Notice in the home passage of study that idolatry is used to further define covetousness: “a covetous man, who is an idolater.” Again, that word covetous is better translated/understood today as being descriptive of someone who is greedy, referring directly to the self-gratifying orientation of an individual. 

This passage contains strong biblical language identifying and condemning the “all-about-me” mentality so prevalent today. Idolatry therefore further defines greed in that some kinds of self-orientation supplant a God orientation. The Greek word for idolaters is eidololatres, meaning “lacking acknowledgment of God and gratitude to Him.” “An idolater is a slave to the depraved ideas his idols represent.”2 In the long run, all other gods together cannot satisfy; only in worshipping the true and living God can the fallen, vacuous heart of a sinner find an eternal quenching and fulfillment. Summarily, 

Be rightly skeptical of those who give an aura of being a follower of Christ but are devoted to something or someone other than Jesus Christ!

Conversely and soberingly, God states in Exodus 34:14: 

“For you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” 

Believers who are recipients of the indwelling Holy Spirit at the point of their salvation (cf. Romans 8:9) are acutely sensitive to giving their Utmost for His Highest (as Oswald Chambers has titled his book). Beloved, we who are believers in the Capitol community must be ever quick to flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). 

Because of the existence of idolatry and the other characteristics listed in this study, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience—one of the concluding stanzas in our home passage. Make no mistake: false believers and teachers will eventually experience His wrath. That is a promise of this passage. As leaders of our great nation, you must be careful not to model such attributes, lest they characterize others—and our nation. 

Accordingly, may we never partake of anything that even hints of idolatry! The serious consequences will be our undoing. Throughout the OT, this sin invokes the wrath of God on His chosen people to the point they repeatedly lose their nation and are taken captive by other empires (Assyria and Babylon). If you lack traction, perhaps idolatry is the reason? 

Lest there be any doubt about the salvation of those who are habitual idolaters, both Revelation 21:8 and 22:153 make it perfectly clear that no habitual idolater will inherit the kingdom of God. Habitual idolatry is simply uncharacteristic of those who are truly repentant and indwelt by the Living God. Idolatry is therefore a telltale sign of false belief and false teaching. 

V. THEY ARE DECEIVERS 

Not only are false believers and teachers sexually aberrant and focused on something other than God’s glory, but they also have a propensity toward deceiving true followers of the Christ of the Bible. States our home passage, Let no one deceive you with empty words (Ephesians 5:6). People will always attempt to undercut the authenticity of what the Word of God states about fake belief. You will find some people will attempt to discount the integrity of this Bible study—or of me. The shrewd believer is forewarned by Scripture herein to watch out for this tactic. “People will try to deny [that these characteristics are evidence of unbelief ], telling you that sin is tolerable, and that God will not exclude unrepentant sinners from His Kingdom.”4 

Deceivers, my friend, possess empty words. The Greek word that Paul uses here for deceive is apate, which means “that which gives a false impression, whether by appearance, statement or influence.” The interesting aspect about deception is that you do not realize it is happening to you! Only in knowing the Word of God and what it says via wisdom and discernment can you keep from deception. Again, You will know them by their fruits. Become a trained “fruit inspector”! In a very straightforward manner, Colossians 2:8 exclaims: 

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 

False Christians do not match up to Scripture. When you know the Word, you will easily be able to identify the untruth in what they say. You will have a certainty about their invalidity. For those who lack discernment and do not care to gain it, Proverbs 1:22 and 14:15 must speak loudly to you: 

“How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded?” 

The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps. 

VI. THEY ARE DISOBEDIENT 

False believers and teachers are sexually aberrant, idolatrous, and deceptive. Paul adds one more characteristic: habitual disobedience or rebellion. The Scripture is clear that those who are saved will place themselves in submission to legitimate spiritual leaders—men whom God has given to His Church (cf. Ephesians 4:11– 12). Hebrews 13:17 states, Obey your leaders and submit to them. True believers enjoy submitting to true, humble Christian leaders, but false followers of Christ despise legitimate spiritual leaders all the time. For example, 

The folks who promote Chrislam in the U.S. Capitol and the state capitols of America are at the same time not fond of the local church. 

From what we’ve learned, this disconnect from God follows, doesn’t it? Whereas the true follower of Christ has a contrite and broken will in submission to Christ’s Lordship and His ambassadors, the apostate prefers to rule his own life, do his own thing, and disobey God’s Word and His ambassadors this side of heaven. 

An attitude of spiritual disobedience then is yet another telltale sign of false belief. In the book of Jude (vv. 16–17) the following apropos summary descriptor is used to describe these people: 

These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage. But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Keep an eye out for those who have difficulty following legitimate, humble Christian leaders. 

VII. SUMMARY 

The apostle Paul concludes, Therefore do not be partakers with them. In all of the New Testament, the word for partakers (summetochos) is used only twice, in this instance and in Ephesians 3:6. The word means “one who shares in a possession.” In other words, believers need to make sure they do not join or copy the sinful ways that characterize false believers. Ephesians 3:6 states exactly the opposite concerning true believers; they are fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. In other words, they share in the possession of the Gospel and all the responsibilities that such a calling entails. 

Lastly, it is important to understand what this passage is not teaching. Note Peter T. O’Brien in this regard (the emphasis below in bold is mine): 

It is certain that persistent sinners like the immoral, impure, and greedy have no part or lot in God’s heavenly kingdom. Believers have already been assured that they have a secure hope of inheriting the glorious life to come (cf. 1 John 5:11–125). … Those who have given themselves over to immorality, impurity, and greed even if they call themselves Christian, show that they are excluded from eternal life. The apostle is not asserting that the believer who ever falls into these sins is automatically excluded from God’s kingdom. Rather, what is envisaged here is the person who has given himself or herself up without shame or repentance to this way of life.6 

Do not be quick to judge a genuine believer as a heretic because he has sinned; he will repent and get back on track. He will hunger for God’s ways to be his ways. Scripture will remain his plumb line. 

On the other hand, do not be naive. Not everyone in the Capitol who states he is a Christian is one. Scripture provides you, the true believer, with the tools to be discerning about such matters, including your own salvation. It is therefore appropriate to note 2 Corinthians 13:5 in closing: 

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? 

 

1. “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me” (Exodus 20:3–5). 

2. W.E. Vine, An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1952), 575. 

3. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. … Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. (Revelation 21:8, 22:15). 

4. John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Ephesians (Chicago: Moody, 1986), 203. 

5. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life (1 John 5:11–12). 

6. Peter T. O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary Series (Grand Rapids: W.B. Eerdmans, 1999), 363.