Walking Carefully
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Walk with Wisdom (Eph. 5:15-16).
Walk with Wisdom (Eph. 5:15-16).
Paul writes that believers are to give careful attention to their walk. The bible associates wisdom with obeying God’s word Prov 1:7
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
A similar instruction is given in Col 4:5
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
Those who are wise will walk straight ahead, with purpose
21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
They are to walk “worthy of their calling.”
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
To make the most use of their time. “Redeeming the times” buy up. Believers are to make the most use of their time.
The days are evil. Describes the current age
2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Therefore we are to stay alert
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Application
Application
As believers, you and I are to make the most use of our time here on earth because we live in an evil age. We are to give careful attention to our walk.
Walk with understanding (Eph. 5:17).
Walk with understanding (Eph. 5:17).
“Foolish” refers not to someone who is unintelligent but someone ignorant of God’s word.
“The fool says in his heart their is no God. They do abominable deeds; there is none that does good” (Pss 14:1).
Paul instructs his audience they are to understand and know the will of the Lord.
We are to test and discern God’s will.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Our sanctification is God’s will
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
to give thanks in all circumstances
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Application
Application
God has revealed his will in his word. You and I are to learn God’s will and to be obedient to it.
Walk with Spirit-filled lives (Eph. 5:18-21).
Walk with Spirit-filled lives (Eph. 5:18-21).
Paul warns Christians not to be drunk with wine. The bible elsewhere commands us to not give way to drunkeness.
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
20 Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat,
31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
“debauchery” excess. Drunkenness results in sinful and wasteful living.
“filled with the Spirit” Believers are to be filled with the Spirit rather than wine. They are to be controlled and under the Spirit’s influence.
Paul then gives us instructions on how we can know we are walking in the Spirit or what that looks like.
“songs and hymns and spiritual songs” Refers to songs we sing in church. 1 Corinthians 14:26
26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
“Give thanks to God the Father for everything”
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,
3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
“subject to one another” Paul calls on believers to honor Christ by honoring, loving, and helping one another.
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Application
Application
The bible urges us to walk a Spirit-filled life. This becomes evident in the way live our lives. Do you find yourself living a Spirit-filled life?
Conclusion
Conclusion
benediction Eph 6:23-24
23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
