The Four Dimensions

16 years ago – I shared a sermon titles get ready for a wild ride. About the Movement of the Holy Spirit.

Today I want to share an encouraging word with you… entitled

Watch Your Walk

Text: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Eph. 5:15).

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:15–20

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the 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, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Introduction

A husband and wife traveled to several different countries. In each place they visited, a tour guide helped them with their sightseeing. One line was repeated by all the tour guides: “Watch your step!” As the couple got off buses and went into various buildings and to other sights, their guide cautioned, “Watch your step!”

Paul was telling the Ephesians, “Watch your step as a believer!” “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Eph. 5:15). Christians must be extremely careful about how they live in an unbelieving world. The word “circumspectly” here implies looking all around, paying attention to all circumstances, as one might do when passing through a dangerous place. Ephesians 5:15 could be translated, “Pay careful attention to the way you live.”

I. Make use of all opportunities.

A. Seize every opportunity to do good. “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16). The Greek word for “redeeming” is a market term that means “to buy out” or “to purchase completely.” “Time” is the translation of a Greek word that came to mean something like opportunity. The expression “redeeming the time” means to make good use of every opportunity.

B. Opportunities redeem society. “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16). Because the world is morally corrupt, we must seize every opportunity to redeem our evil society. No time should be lost.

II. Seek to understand God’s will.

A. The unwise person does not understand God’s will. “Wherefore be ye not unwise” (Eph. 5:17). The word “unwise” refers to being senseless. It means to be without reason or moral intelligence. Such a person does not think a matter through to its logical conclusion. The unwise ones were pagans who were unable to see through the immoral life to its end product.

B. The wise person seeks to discern God’s will. “But understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). God seeks the best for all his creation. Thus the wise person wants to know his will.

III. Submit to the Holy Spirit’s control.

A. The Holy Spirit can control the believer’s life. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). In contrast to the pagan conduct produced by drunkenness, Paul presents the kind of conduct produced by the Holy Spirit. The word “filled” was used in sailing. It referred to sails filled with the wind. When sails of a boat get filled with the wind, the boat can be controlled by the wind. Being filled with the Spirit describes a believer who submits to the control of the Holy Spirit and so becomes empowered to do God’s perfect will.

B. The Holy Spirit produces character in the believer’s life.

1. The Spirit produces joy. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). The Holy Spirit produces a genuine joy that comes from the heart. This joy is expressed outwardly in a number of ways.

2. The Spirit produces gratitude. “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20).

3. The Spirit produces mutual submission. “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Eph. 5:21). This is an attitude that is opposed to rudeness. It is the opposite of a stubborn insistence on one’s rights. Paul expressed the same idea in Romans 12:10: “In honour preferring one another.”

Conclusion

Go back to our text: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Eph. 5:15). Believers do need to be careful about how they live. The admonition “Watch your step!” should be remembered constantly.

Watch Your Walk