49-34 Walk In Wisdom
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Ephesians 5:15
Ephesians 5:15
One of the fruits of fellowshipping with saints is the opportunity to share with one another our lives and the mutual encouragement of walking with the Spirit out of that flows the rich blessing of speaking to one another psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Music is a profound gift from God. Songs that are theologically sound assist us in worship by giving us a way to express our faith in LJC—and to become the true worshipers God is seeking (Jn 4:23-24). What a powerful tool music is to the church.
There was a song I learned as a child. I don’t remember going to VBS as a child but in NE we had Back Yard Bible Clubs. Between those and SS I learned a great number of “children’s songs” most of which were taken directly from the Bible.
One in particular has been running thru my mind this past week: “The wise man built his house upon the rock...” Do you remember that song?
Of course this is taken from the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the MT (Mt 7). The last 3 lessons in that sermon are emphasized by 3 contrasting spiritual realities: narrow and wide gates, tree that bears good or bad fruit, wise and foolish man.
Mt 7:24-27
The wise and the foolish are marked by Jesus not by their choice of foundation (though it is consequential), but whether having heard the word of Christ—does he act on them or not. Is he a doer of the word or merely a hearer? That is what marks the biblical distinction b/t the wise and foolish. You can see then that the issue for the wise and the fool is a spiritual issue—not one of mental acuity or capacity.
Paul’s next instruction for the Eph saints is vs 15
The Xn’s walk has been the central concern having spent the first half of the letter explaining doctrinal truths…then 4:1 walk worthy, humbly, unified, in love, as light…and now…in wisdom—”not as unwise but as wise.”
Walk as those who hear the words of Christ and put them into practice. I think it will be helpful to you for us to briefly look at the distinction b/t the wise man and the fool—particularly from the book of Proverbs. It is a commentary on people’s lives and always relevant. As if Solomon (author) is writing today, we see the true representation of who man is, what he thinks, how he acts, and what he does. The subject of the “fool” is a special concern of Solomon’s.
In Proverbs—3 words translated “fool, foolish” appear 64x. It is different from the “simple” minded person who is naive, inexperienced, and unstable which could be rectified if he is commited to learning in the school of wisdom. The fool is dull, obstinate, stubborn, rough and bad-mannered with a flippant perspective.
Proverbs depicts the fool as: one who despises the name of God, rebellious, filled with iniquity, despises wisdom & instruction, hates knowledge, complacent, dishonorable, spreads slander, arrogant, careless, quick-tempered, depraved speech, quarrelsome, raging anger, trusts in self, walks in darkness.
Pretty picture isn’t it? It is very much a spiritual condition into which every person is brought into this world.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
Our Eng “fool” comes from the Latin “bellows; bag” A fool is a windbag, full of air but no substance. He thinks his folly is wisdom so he continues to blow the air of his foolishness into the world.
Proverbs 15:2 (NASB95)
But the mouth of fools spouts folly.
What does he think of himself?
As god:
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.
If anyone fails to acknowledge the true God he will create his own gods and begin to serve them (Rom 1:21-24). Now, as he creates god to serve he will inevitably set himself up as a god—becoming his own authority in all things.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
His contribution to Society
The fool is nothing more than a menace to society as a whole. He spreads the very folly that condemns his soul and can’t even help it.
Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord. “They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof. “So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way And be satiated with their own devices. “For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.
The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the Lord.
Prov 26:1-12
(vs 3—treat him like a dumb animal; vs 4-5 give him direction and danger of becoming like him; vs 6 send him on a mission and you might as well be crippled and prepared for trouble; vs 7 proverbs get nowhere; vs 8 don’t ask the fool about spiritual realities b/c he knows nothing about them—like going to war with one who ties the stone to the sling.)
Concept of the dog returning to its own vomit—(stomach violently discourages what mouth swallows b/c it proves unpalatable). The body rejects what the debased spirit craves.
Peter uses the imagery of false teachers and those who follow them (2 Pt 2:20-22). The fool is part of the world’s debauched system—and like a vapor it corrupts with infectious evil, polluting everything. The fool is contaminated by the world’s immorality and he is also part of the problem.
Pharaoh is an adequate picture of the fool. God gave him an ultimatum that would have been fairly inconsequential if he listened. Moses directed Aaron to throw his rod on the ground and it became a serpent. The magicians in Egypt duplicated the miracle and Aaron’s serpent ate the others. Pharaoh hardened his heart.
Moses turned the Nile, tributaries, canal, ponds and reservoirs to blood. Magicians duplicated this miracle--Pharaoh hardened his heart (Ex 7:14-25).
Then came the plague of frogs and magicians again duplicated it—he hardened his heart (8:1-5).
Then came the gnats (lice) and the magicians told Pharaoh “this is the finger of God” but like the dog returning to its vomit he continued to harden his heart (8:16-19).
Then the flies and he began to discuss the terms of Israel’s release but went back on the plan and he hardened his heart (8:20-32).
Plague that killed the cattle he heard none of Israel’s cattle died so he hardened his heart (9:1-7). Moses took ashes from the furnace and threw them toward heaven (possibly the remains of human sacrifices offered by Egyptians to Typhon) and the ashes brought on boils (1st time humans targeted). What happened? God hardened Pharaoh’s heart as a warning. The magicians could not even stand before him b/c the boils were too painful.
Hail was the next one and everything was decimated (trees shrubs herbs) except for in Goshen as soon as the plague was removed pharaoh returned to his vomit. 3 more plagues (locust, darkness, death) again hardened his heart.
This is the fool:
Proverbs 15:14 (NASB95)
The mouth of fools feeds on folly.
The do not have the fountain of life.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.
The Case for Wisdom
Solomon writes
Proverbs 14:7 (NASB95)
Leave the presence of a fool
Have nothing to do with his foolishness, his ways, his perspectives, his influence—instead fear the Lord—for this is the beginning of wisdom
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Paul writes “be careful…” (lit look, see to it…) and careful has to do with what is accurate, exact…and the command is to make sure that your conduct is accurate with respect to the demands of God’s Word (obedience to Christ).
Now, wisdom just like foolishness is a spiritual condition. Where the fool has no capacity to understand the things of God…The believer does.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
This takes us back to to Eph 5:1—be imitators of God. The Xn must walk wisely not unwisely b/c you are beloved children, saved by the precious blood of the LJC—who offered Himself a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Only the wise walk is fitting of children of God.
1. Wisdom Defined
1. Wisdom Defined
Word “wise” sophia (both OT & NT) carries the idea of being skillful or experienced. It goes beyond acquisition of knowledge by having the ability to use that knowledge in biblical ways. For the believer it is the God-given ability to apply Scriptural principles (skillfully) to daily living.
2. Wisdom Acquired
2. Wisdom Acquired
Has does one become wise? Solomon writes the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. To fear Him is to hold him in reverential awe for all that He is and all He does.
Note: God is wise:
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.
“With Him are wisdom and might; To Him belong counsel and understanding.
For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
B/c He is all wise and gives wisdom; the first step toward wisdom is faith in LJC. Wisdom is found in JC.
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
By putting faith in JC you will share His nature (“in Christ”). Xns (transferred from domain of darkness to light) are fools who are made wise.
and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
God makes you wise—now He admonishes your to be wise in your behavior.
Wiersbe shares important characteristics of wise people.
Listen to wise instruction (God’s Word)—put himself where God’s Word is spoken and taught
A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.
Wise people associate with wise people (spend time with those who are godly)
He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Wise people preserve what they’ve gained and they use it.
Wise men store up knowledge, But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
Be Skillful Chapter Five: People, Wise and Otherwise-Part 1 (The Wise and the Wicked)
If wisdom is stored in the heart, then we’ll say the right thing at the right time, and people will be helped. But fools lose whatever wisdom they may have picked up, and their words only bring destruction.
Wise people flee from sin
A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.
Romans 12:9 (NASB95)
Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
Wise people discipline their speech
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
The wise understand the power of the tongue and work hard to make sure it is kept under the control of the HS (self-control).
Wise people are diligent in their work
Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Laziness is an important subject in Proverbs—the sluggard.
Wise people seek to influence others to trust the Lord
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls.
“wins” is the word meaning to capture—as a hunter captures his prey. The wise will seek after those who are disobedient and capture them by sharing God’s love and grace.
Be Skillful Chapter Five: People, Wise and Otherwise-Part 1 (The Wise and the Wicked)
Wisdom leads to righteousness, and righteousness produces fruit (“a tree of life”), and this fruit “entices” those who are hungry for what is real and eternal.
3. Wisdom Surrendered
3. Wisdom Surrendered
To watch, look carefully explains how many dangers there are around us as we walk in this world. There are pitfalls, traps, and snares all around (be careful where you put your foot).
Harry Ironside
In the Heavenlies: Practical Expository Addresses on the Epistle to the Ephesians Lecture XXI: The Filling with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:15–21)
Christian, your path leads you through a world of sin, a world of folly, a world where you are exposed to all kinds of temptations and unholy influences. Snares and traps abound for your unwary feet. Therefore, walk circumspectly, be careful where you put down your feet, be careful as to the company you keep, be careful as to your behavior in any company, so that there be that which will bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Walk not as fools, not as simple ones, not as those who are still darkness, but walk as wise men—made wise by the wisdom of God.
Sometimes we step in a snare and surrender the wisdom and revert to foolish living:
A. Not trusting the Lord in everything
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
If that is wise living—then not to trust in the Lord will the whole heart is foolish living. Following His resurrection Jesus met 2 disciples on road to Emmaus:
And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
The believer has trusted in JC for salvation but failure to do so in everything—leaning on your own understanding, you will surrender wisdom and begin to walk as unwise.
B. Disobedience
Disobedience in any area of life surrenders wisdom by substituting the truthfulness of God’s Word with human understanding (which is foolish).
As we close: there are 3 more characteristics that relate to walking in wisdom that will form the outline to the rest of these vv (16-21):
The wise redeem the time
The wise pursue God’s will
The wise are controlled by God’s Spirit
Paul told the Romans:
Romans 16:19 (NASB95)
I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
God has given His children everything that is needed to walk as wise children. Wisdom is not just having knowledge of God’s truth but the skill to apply that truth to your daily lives. Since you share the nature of Christ, you are made wise—may wisdom be the hallmark of your life as beloved children of God.