Listen to today’s devo!

God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. (Eph. 5:6–7)

Expanded Passage: Ephesians 5:6-7

NASA needed help to reach the moon. The agency partnered with more than 20,000 companies and universities. Because each of these partners could determine the success or failure of the mission, choosing the right partner for each component of the program required careful discernment. For example, the company Martin Marietta submitted a strong bid to build the command and service modules, but NASA rejected it because they had no experience building high-speed aircraft or space vehicles.

Paul knew Christians needed help following God’s loving example and living like Jesus. Believers must carefully discern who will shape their faith and practice. Of course, they should not partner with unbelievers who have no interest in following Jesus, but the apostle advised the Ephesians to not be deceived by people who say they follow Jesus but are disobedient. These know what the Bible says but do not live accordingly, or they use bits of Scripture to rationalize things they are doing wrong. Perhaps they are gung-ho for Jesus today, but they are easily distracted, or their faith is too shallow to survive the trials of life. Paul advised his readers to avoid partnering with these too.

Christians must exercise discernment to partner with saints who have followed Jesus for some time, are deeply rooted in Scripture, and have a solid track record of following Jesus no matter what.

Partner with earnest Christ followers who will help you follow Jesus.

Jeremy Geerdes is a pastor in Des Moines, Iowa. He is passionate about holiness and his family.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.