Test and prove what pleases the Lord, understand his will (Ephesians 5:10,17)

Ephesians 5:10,17 says, "Test and prove what pleases the Lord" and Don't be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is"

Ephesians 5:1-20
(1-2) Imitate God, in everything, as dearly loved children, life filled with love - follow Christ who gave himself as an offering pleasing to God
 - Romans 12:1, present yourself to God as a living sacrifice
 - walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others]
- Application: What areas of my life do I not imitate God but rather imitate the world? How does presenting myself to God as a sacrifice change that? What would it look like in these areas if I "walked continually in love."
(3) Not impure, sexually immoral, greedy - sins have no place among God's people
 - for as believers our way of life, whether in public or in private, reflects the validity of our faith
(4) Not obscene stories, foolish talk, coarse jokes - instead speak of thankfulness to God
(5) Be sure no immoral, impure, greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God
(6-7) Don't be deceived with excuses for sins, God's wrath comes on those disobedient, don't partner with them

• Don't follow advice of wicked, or stand around with sinners or join with mockers - Psalm 1:1
• Worthless chaff, scattered by wind, condemned at judgment, sinners haven't a place among godly - Psalm 1:4-5
• Lord watches the path of the godly but the path of the wicked leads to destruction Psalm 1:6 (Paths Principle: Direction, not intention leads to destination)
• Application: How does seeing decisions as a path that leads to a destination make a difference in my approach to the little decisions I make every day.

(8-9) Once I was full of darkness, now have light of Lord, light produces good, right, true

• Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path - Psalm 119:105
• Jesus is the light of the world - John 8:12, light shines in the darkness - John 1:5, walk in the light - fellowship with one another, blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin - 1 John 1:7
• Let your light shine so others see and praise God - Matthew 5:16, those living in darkness will see a great light shine on them - Isaiah 9:2, Matthew 4:16, Luke 1:79
• Put on the armor of light - Romans 13:12
• Application: Through God's word, abiding in Christ in fellowship with one another I am living in the light of God - protected and life-giving for others

(10) Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation].

• Application: You don't need to know everything, just do what you know is pleasing to God

(11-13) Take no part in worthless deeds of evil and darkness; expose them

• If sinners entice you don't consent - Proverbs 1:10
• Everyone who does evil hates the Light, doesn't come into the Light for fear deeds exposed - John 3:20
• Expose them: open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness into light, from Satan to God and receive forgiveness of sins, inheritance among those sanctified by faith - Acts 26:18

(14) Awake sleeper, rise from the dead, Christ will shine on you

• Ressurection: Isaiah 26:19, Romans 13:11
• Resuscitation: Isaiah 51:17, Ephesians 2:1,  1 Cor 15:34, 1 Thes 5:6, 2 Tim 2:26

(15-16) Be careful how you live, be wise not foolish, make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

(17) Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

• (18) not drunk, it will ruin your life
• (19) singing psalms, hymns, spiritual songs - make music to the Lord in your heart
• (20) give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

http://biblehub.com/ephesians/5-10.htm