Ephesians 5:6-14

“See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not become partners with them; ⁸ for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ¹⁰as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ Do not participate in the useless deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; ¹² for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. ¹³ But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. ¹⁴ For this reason it says,

“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”

Sons of disobedience: Wrath comes upon unbelievers but not believers. Those who have believed in Christ have been delivered from God’s wrath. Therefore, we ought not join them in their sinful behavior. We are not built for it. 

Light: Salvation is associated with light here. The contrast to this is darkness, or spiritual death. We are light so we ought not engage in deeds of darkness. 

Expose them: The deeds of darkness are most likely arising out of various pagan philosophies. These false teachings often excused sinful behavior. Paul is urging Christians to not flirt with darkness. Instead, by believing the Gospel and presenting the Gospel to people, Christians expose the deeds of darkness. This allows believers to see these sinful deeds for what they truly are.