PROVERBS 1:7-19

Respect and obey the LORD!  This is the beginning of knowledge.  Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.  My child, obey the teachings of your parents, and wear their teachings as you would a lovely hat or a pretty necklace.

Don't be tempted by sinners or listen when they say, "Come on! Let's gang up and kill somebody, just for the fun of it!  They're well and healthy now, but we'll finish them off once and for all.  We'll take their valuables and fill our homes with stolen goods.  If you join our gang, you'll get your share."

Don't follow anyone like that or do what they do.  They are in a big hurry to commit some crime, perhaps even murder.  They are like a bird that sees the bait, but ignores the trap.  They gang up to murder someone, but they are the victims.  The wealth you get from crime robs you of your life.

ROMANS 12:1-2
Christ Brings New Life

Dear friends, God is good.  So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing.  That's the most sensible way to serve God.  Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think.  Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.

GALATIANS 6:1-5
Help Each Other

My friends, you are spiritual.  So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path.  But watch out, and don't be tempted yourself.  You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand.  If you think you are better than others, when you really aren't, you are wrong.  Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of.  But don't compare yourself with others.  We each must carry our own load.

EPHESIANS 5:1-20

Do as God does.  After all, you are his dear children.  Let love be your guide.  Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God.  You are God's people, so don't let it be said that any of you are immoral or indecent or greedy.  Don't use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are.  Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols.  You can be sure that people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God.

Living as People of Light

Don't let anyone trick you with foolish talk.  God punishes everyone who disobeys him and says foolish things.  So don't have anything to do with anyone like that.  You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord.  So act like people of the light and make your light shine.  Be good and honest and truthful, as you try to please the Lord.  Don't take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark.  Instead, show how wrong they are.  It is disgusting even to talk about what is done in the dark.  But the light will show what these things are really like.  Light shows up everything, just as the Scriptures say, "Wake up from your sleep and rise from death.  Then Christ will shine on you."

Act like people with good sense and not like fools.  These are evil times, so make every minute count.  Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do.  Don't destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life.  When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart.  Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.