Note 13 at Eph. 5:7: Paul is warning the Christians not to commit sin like the lost do. But if they do, does God's wrath come on them? The answer is yes and no.

God's wrath against our sin was placed on Jesus (Rom. 5:9; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Th. 1:10; 5:9). Therefore God's wrath does not come directly or intentionally on believers, even when they sin. However, a true believer loves God and does not want to do anything to displease Him (see note 8 at 1 Cor. 6:12, p. 887; see note 16 at Rom. 5:9,10, p. 772; 1 Jn. 3:3). Knowing that God's wrath comes on the unbelievers for such actions (see note 12 at v. 6) reveals that these actions are not pleasing to God and therefore, a true believer is motivated not to sin.

But a Christian can indirectly experience the wrath of God through sin. In the book of Revelation, God warns His people to come out from among Babylon lest they become partakers of her sins and receive her plagues (Rev. 18:4). Moses told the children of Israel to depart from the tents of the wicked (Korah) so that they would not be consumed in their judgment (Num. 16:26). God's wrath is directed towards His enemies (see note 12 at v. 6), but if we are sleeping with the enemy, we might get caught in the line of fire. Lot was a righteous man (2 Pet. 2:7-8) who God sought to deliver from His wrath which was directed at the sinners in Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19). However, Lot's association with Sodom and Gomorrah caused his wife to disobey, and as she was turned into a pillar of salt, Lot suffered greatly. So God's wrath did come into Lot's life, but not by God's choosing.

It is not God who punishes His children when they get in sin. Our punishment has been placed on Jesus. But sin will punish us. Therefore, we need to avoid sin as much as possible but realize that when we do sin, God still loves us and has delivered us from His wrath by placing our punishment on Jesus.

Note 14 at Eph. 5:7: Paul is not saying that we should stay away from all unbelievers. Even Jesus was called a friend of publicans and sinners (Mt. 11:19; Lk. 7:34). When Jesus was asked, "Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? Jesus answering said They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Lk. 5:30-32).

What Paul is stating here is that we should not adopt the lifestyle and behavior of unbelievers by having a part or share in their evil deeds. It is possible to have relationships with the lost that are positive where we are influencing them. But relationships where we are being influenced by unbelievers are unhealthy spiritually.