Expose them
1 Therefore be imitators of GOD, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as CHRIST also loved you and gave HIMSELF up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to GOD as a fragrant aroma.
3 But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of CHRIST and GOD.
6 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), 10 as 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.”
15 So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the LORD is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with THE SPIRIT, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to THE LORD; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST to our GOD and FATHER; 21 and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of CHRIST. - Ephesians 5 NASB20
Expose the useless deeds of darkness. > Darkness. > The world.
You "once were" of the darkness. Unsaved. Unregenerate.
Expose their deeds. John the Baptist did that, publicly. He was put in prison for it. Paul called Peter out in front of everyone. Peter was saved, but was doing the useless deeds of darkness, as opposed to that which we have been commanded. All through the epistles, the body of CHRIST is called on the carpet for useless deeds of darkness. What are you doing? Why are you doing that?
Are they unsaved? No. He's writing the churches. They are disciples of JESUS (Christians). Are they of the darkness? Walking in darkness? No. They have GOD in them.
But they are doing that which the world does (darkness), and need to be reminded and exhorted to stop it. He exposes their useless deeds of darkness in the letters he sends them... GOD exposes them in HIS WORD.
Expose them.
Now... Did John the Baptist love the ruler and his illegitimate wife? Maybe. Maybe not. We don't know. He should have. Did Paul love Peter? Yes. He loved Peter and exposed him and even embarrassed him in front of everyone. Peter needed, more than, anything, to stop what he was doing. Did Paul love the churches when he wrote his letters to them? Yes! His love for them fueled his efforts to write them (by THE HOLY SPIRIT).
Love them.
They need THE TRUTH.
They need to stop doing what they are doing.
Expose them... in love.
Anything without love is trash, our FATHER says.
And give them the instruction, warning, exhortation they need.
And pray for them. Help them, if you can.
Seek GOD'S glory above all. Obey HIM in love for HIM.