Below I have posted Ephesians 5:12 in context, with the scripture that surrounds it. Some people make the false claim that this verse instructs Christians to be silent on certain topics, topics that we view as unfruitful works of darkness. This could not be more wrong. Such a way of thinking is in contradiction with the surrounding scripture. Verse 11 tells us to reprove unfruitful works of darkness. We cannot reprove something if we cannot talk about it.

John 3:20 tells us, "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." And John 3:19 tells us, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

I'm going to bottom-line this. The wicked do not want their deeds reproved. If their deeds are reproved and they are truly corrected they will come into the light and be saved and no longer be happy doing unfruitful works of darkness. They love it in their darkness and want to stay in their darkness. This is why they seek to silence us. And they will say the silliest things about scripture in their attempt to shut us up. Do not be deceived by their vain words.

God would not tell us in one verse to reprove something and then in the next verse tell us that such would be a sin to do. And God does not. Verse 12 of Ephesians is speaking very matter-a-factually about the things that the wicked do in secret, that such things are so bad "it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret." This scripture is expounding on just how wicked the things that they do are. And yes, it is a shame to even speak of those things, not a sin, but a shame. It is a shame we have to talk about such things, but verse 13 tells us, "But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." --So we got-to-do what we got-to-do to reprove such things in order for such things to be made manifest by the light, which is Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.