“. . . for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Ephesians 5:8-11 ESV)
Like the writer of Proverbs, Paul, in these verses from Ephesians contrasts wisdom and foolishness. He refers to wisdom as light. True wisdom is of God; it exposes sin and brings men and women into the light of God’s truth that is, the gospel of His mercy, love, and grace in Christ Jesus. But darkness is where evil dwells and hides, where men and women hide from God in sin, enslaved by Satan. Those who are in Christ must shun the darkness by walking in imitation of the Lord Jesus. This involves not merely the avoidance of sinful behavior and sinful lifestyles, but the performance of actions of self-sacrifice and service to others for the glory of the Lord.
Wisdom is not mere common sense, intellectual prowess or a high IQ. The word of God teaches that true wisdom is from God. It develops in relationship with Him and is demonstrated by discerning His will and living in the light of it. True wisdom is faith in the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ alone. Now the wisdom that the world promotes may at times seem to be virtuous and beneficial to all mankind, and in some small way it is, in so far as it agrees with God’s wisdom. Otherwise, though it appear noble and glorious, light and holy it is not for it is rooted in darkness.
We believers today are caught up in the midst of a world that exalts and praises darkness. We are to seek God’s wisdom as we evaluate our personal lives daily to ensure that every thought, word and action is in harmony with the Lord’s will. We are to take stock of all we do to determine how we affect or influence others and how we represent the Kingdom of God. We are to make the most of our time and opportunities to do good and show the love of Jesus to others so that they too may be delivered from the darkness and become citizens of His Kingdom.