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In today’s bible study, we shall see what the Scriptures say about the children of light and the children of
disobedience.
Children of Light Children of Disobedience
Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you Just as you who were at one time
may become children of light.” When he had finished disobedient to God have now received
speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. (John mercy as a result of their disobedience
12:36) (Romans 11:30)
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the in which you used to live when you followed
Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light the ways of this world and of the ruler of the
consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at
find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with work in those who are disobedient.
the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. (Ephesians 2:2)
It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do
in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes They claim to know God, but by their actions
visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a they deny him. They are detestable,
light. (Ephesians 5:8‐13) disobedient and unfit for doing anything
good. (Titus 1:16)
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do
not need to write to you, for you know very well that the At one time we too were foolish,
day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all
people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in
come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant malice and envy, being hated and hating one
woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and another. (Titus 3:3)
sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should But among you there must not be even a
surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light
hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of
and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or impurity, or of greed, because these are
to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who
improper for God’s holy people. Nor should
are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who
there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse
sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk joking, which are out of place, but rather
at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober,
thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No
putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope
immoral, impure or greedy person—such a
of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to person is an idolater—has any inheritance in
suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord
the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one
Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are
deceive you with empty words, for because
awake or asleep, we may live together with him. of such things God’s wrath comes on those
Therefore encourage one another and build each other
who are disobedient. Therefore do not be
up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:1‐11) partners with them. (Ephesians 5:3‐7)
Now that we have presented the scripture on this topic, let us draw some conclusions:
1. At the end of this age, each of us will be categorised as being one of two kinds of individuals: children
of light or children of disobedience
2. The children of disobedience can claim to know God ‐‐ they may even be sitting next to you in church
– but by their actions, deny Him (Titus 1:16)
3. Here are some characteristics of the children of disobedience: they follow the ways of this world and
of the devil (Ephesians 2:2); they are foolish, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and
pleasures; living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another (Titus 3:3); sexually
immoral, impure, greedy, obscene, foolish talk, coarse (Ephesians 5:3‐7)
4. How can we live as children of light: pursue goodness, righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5:9); find
out what pleases the Lord (Ephesians 5:10) and do just that; have nothing to do with the fruitless
deeds of darkness (see above), but rather expose them (Ephesians 5:11); do not get drunk on wine,
which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms,
hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving
thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:19‐20); be
mindful that Jesus is returning soon (1 Thessalonians 5:1‐3); be sober, putting on faith and love as a
breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet (1 Thessalonians 5:8); encourage one another and
build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
5. Can children of light turn bad and become children of disobedience? ABSOLUTELY! The Lord Jesus
said: “believe in the light while you have the light” (John 12:36) – what this suggests to us that it is
possible to once possess the light but to lose it. That is why the Apostle Paul had very explicitly
warned against fellowship with the disobedient, and subsequently becoming just like the disobedient
‐‐ “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those
who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” (Ephesians 5:3‐7)
Written by: Roy Chan
Version dated: 21 August 2018
FREE for circulation and distribution; this essay was written as a public service.