Walking in God’s Wisdom
Visualize
Read Ephesians 5 several times to get an understanding of the entire chapter. We will focus on Ephesians 5:15-21 in this lesson.
Investigate
- What it means to walk wisely? What does it mean to walk unwisely?
(verses 15-17) - How are believers supposed to behave? How is it different from non-believers? (verses 18-20)
Embrace
In these few short verses, Paul continues to contrast the difference in how we behaved in our past and how we should behave now as believers in Christ.
He prompts us to be wise in all our interactions, understanding the will of God. For us to understand and discern God’s prompting in any circumstance we must be sure we are sober-minded and seeking wisdom.
Paul continues by showing the distinction between being filled with the Holy Spirit and operating out of drunkenness. He notes that worship, praise, prayer and thanksgiving flow from a heart filled with His Spirit.
Finally, we are to submit or be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. The greek word for subject is hupotasso – yield to one’s advice. I believe this connects back to our previous lesson when we discussed exposing sin through accountability and love.
We should willingly allow ourselves to be in submission to mature Christians that can teach, admonish, and mentor us in our daily walk.
What does it mean to you to submit to one another in reverence to Christ? (verse 21)
What it means to walk wisely? What does it mean to walk unwisely?
(verses 15-17)
How are believers supposed to behave? How is it different from non-believers? (verses 18-20)
I’ve had a hard time with these verses. It all started when I saw a woman who works in a different department than me talking badly (and really loudly) to small group in the cafeteria about someone she works. I was off at another table reading on my Ipad, and I was furious. How did she not know I didn’t know the woman? And I decided at that moment I didn’t want to have anything to do with her. If she talked badly about someone in that way – she’d do the same to me. I found her disgusting. But now I catch myself doing the same thing. I call it “venting” or “just a funny story.” I don’t do it loudly, but what is the difference? I’m a professing Christian. Am I just as guilty? I think I am, and it’s sobering because I’m not walking differently. And people are watching to see if we are “different.” So according to the verse, I need to change this. A Christian has the Holy Spirit as a guide. Those without a relationship with Christ do not. I think this is the difference – I have the power through Christ to overcome this. The fruit will be holy behavior.
Isn’t it shamefull how we sometimes judge people for doing the same thing as we do. You’re right we’re guilty the same way if we gossip about people who gossip. I always feel a little hypocrite if I realise such.
I think it is great that you are convicted of your words, actions, and thoughts. It is always good to step back and evaluate how others see and hear us. Are the words we speak edifying? Do they build others up? It’s hard to not vent my frustrations, but I try to do it in the safety of my own home where I know the people love me and know that it is venting and not the true feelings. But that does bring to mind the verse that says out of the heart the mouth speaks (luke 6: 40-ish)
You are right Stephanie and that verse from Luke really is blunt. Even if I stop my mouth (which is a good thing) the heart desires to gossip just like others. I am the same!!! Yikes!
Wow – you have really given me something to think about. Even if I control my mouth, have I really changed what’s in my heart?! That is definitely a thought worth mediating and praying on.
It’s all about my heart. Where is my heart leading me? Where does my heart desire to go? Who does my heart long to be with? What does my heart crave? If I can’t answer Jesus to those questions, I need to have some alone with God and get my heart straightened out.
This is really hitting me deep today. Thanks so much for sharing, Gina.
Sometimes I wish a camera would follow me around all day so I could see myself from a different perspective….
Oh, word! If a camera followed me around I would be in trouble! ;-P
What helps me (and I rarely do it – unfortunately) is to try and imagine the outcome of doing something I want to do (like gossip). I imagine how I will feel about myself afterward. That often helps me nip in the bud in my heart and not desire to do it. But I think it needs to be repeated often before I can make it a mindset! So hard!!!