Lighten Up!

Christian, have you ever been accused of being "too serious?" What is usually meant by your peers is that they want you to act as they act, generally flippant, and sometimes downright vulgar. Indeed, the Puritans were accused of this very thing, and those who would follow in their footsteps today meet the same label from a world that eschews anything that takes more thought than what we shall entertain ourselves with at this very moment.

I read the following text yesterday in my Bible reading plan. I noticed that the scripture also implores us to "lighten up." Yet, its meaning is quite different than the normal use of the phrase.

Ephesians 5:4-17 (English Standard Version)

⁴Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. ⁵For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷Therefore do not become partners with them; ⁸for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), ¹⁰and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹²For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. ¹³But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, ¹⁴for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

"Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."

¹⁵Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.