Ephesians 5:15-21 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Pastor Obie continued that as Christ followers, stating that foolishness is rejecting God’s righteous will for our lives. Therefore, knowing and doing the right thing is the wise thing. Three factors help us to walk circumspectly (meaning cautiously, on guard and watchful in everything) in order to not be foolish - (1) Confession of sin, (2) Accountably to the Word, Will and Way of God and (3) Commitment to Christ and His church mission of advancing the Kingdom of Heaven. Theologian C. Samuel Storms wrote that true Christian repentance involves a heartfelt conviction of sin, confession and contrition over the offense to God, a turning away from the sinful way of life, and a wise turning towards a God-honoring way of life. Dr. David Jeremiah declares that this is God’s preference for all people today – that they would end their rebellion and come back to Him.
Galatians 5:19-21 states that “when you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, drug abuse, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
We live in a fallen world with temptations, deceptions and distractions on all sides which can cause us to drift onto the wrong side of the road. The fallen flesh nature, the God-rejecting world system, and the devil (Satan the deceiver) are our enemies. Sinful pleasures allure, entice and influence our souls unto aberrant lusts. Romans 1:21-22 explains “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” Drunkenness and recreational drug use for intoxicating pleasure leads to debauchery, which is sinfully intentional excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures of the foolish heart. Like sexual immorality, let these sinful thoughts, discussion or actions not even be named among you, as they are unfitting for the sanctified child of God. Truth and consequences.
In Galatians 5:16, 24-25 the Apostle Paul proclaims, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, opportunities and matters because the days are evil. Be filled with the Spirit and walk wisely with the Spirit. Pursue goodness, righteousness and godly truth. Expose darkness with the light of truth and bring hidden iniquitous acts and issues into the open. Continually seek God’s Will, propelled by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Live a worshipful life, honoring the Lord with praise and glory. Follow the Leader (Jesus Christ - the Word made manifest) and stay active in His blessed Words of the Holy Bible. Pray without ceasing and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost the dying world. That is walking in wisdom.
The path to love is light. Live out the “Golden Rule” of Matthew 7:12, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”. Overcome evil with good and advance the Kingdom.
In Christ, Brian
This is my 4000th blog message.
Praise be to God!
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