Ephesians 5:15-21 

Introduction: Every step the believer takes in life should be intentional and with purpose. Because it is so easy to take a wrong step in life and spend a lot of wasted time tying to correct our walk, we should consider the steps that we take. This is why it is important for the believer to walk carefully and strictly through life. In this passage we have seven attributes that will help the believer walk carefully and strictly. 

As Christians we should walk: 

1. Circumspectly- Vs 15 to walk circumspectly (cautiously/carefully). God wants the believer to walk cautiously and carefully through life.

• We can walk as Fools Vs 15- This person doesn’t walk being alert to the temptations and pitfalls of life. He is not strict, disciplined, and controlled.
• We can walk as Wise Vs 15- This person walks thoughtfully, spiritually minded, he knows Christ personally. This person walks strict, disciplined, and controlled. Considers the matter, the displeasure of God, and consequences of a wrong step. 
• Proverbs 7:1-27 the harlot woman. 

2. Purposefully- Vs 16 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil”. Making the most of every opportunity. We are to use our time to buy things of value. 

1. • Use time wisely- we can be idle or do things of no heavenly value. We can also waste a lot of time in things that have no heavenly value. 
   • Take advantage of the opportunities that come your way: 
     • • Live righteously and Godly 
       • Witness and share Christ 
       • Be diligent at work and with family 
       • Be faithful in all we do, do it to the glory of God 
       • Pray and read our Bible daily 
       • I Corinthians 7:29-31 “the time is short”. 

3. Knowing the Will of God- Vs 17 The will of God is clearly defined in the Bible for every believer. These are things that God expects the believer to do daily. First you have to do the will of God before you know the plan of God. 

1. • To Be Transformed- Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”
   • To Serve Christ- Ephesians 6:5-8 “but as the servants of Christ”
   • To Suffer for Well Doing- I Peter 3:17 “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing”. 
   • To no longer live in the flesh- I Peter 4:1-2 “no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lust of men”.
   • To be Sanctified- I Thessalonians 4:3 to abstain from fornication: to know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor”
   • To do Well- I Peter 2:13-15 “For so is the will of God. that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men”.
   • John 6:13-14 “and shall show it unto you”. 

4. Filled with the Spirit- Vs 18 When you and I were saved, we received the Holy Spirit of God. However, just like you have to fill a car with gasoline so that it runs, we have to be filled with spirit so that we can be effective in our Christian walk. 

1. • Illustration- a cup filled with black water takes clean water to be filled with good, not dirty. Because we live in this sin filled life, our spirits get dirty and we need to be emptied of ourselves and filled with the Spirit of God. A believer is filled with the Spirit as he walk obediently to Christ, not as he speaks in tongues or some other way. 
   • It helps us be an effective witness- Acts 1:8 
   • It helps us speak the Word with boldness- Acts 4:29-31 The filling of the Spirit helps to speak the word of God with boldness. 

5. Singing in our Heart- Vs 19 “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”. The words in a song have the ability to help us or hinder us, to lift us up or bring us down. If we are walking throughout the day singing in our hearts to the Lord, it brings joy and happiness to our lives. It lifts us up when we are down and distressed. 

1. • Psalms- this requires memorizing the psalms and singing them 
   • Hymns- the great hymns of the church have great Biblical words 
   • Spiritual Songs- spirit filled, Biblical songs. 
   • Psalm 95:1- “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation”. 

6. Giving Thanks Always- Vs 20 “Giving thanks always for all things”. I Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” In everything, and for all things. As we walk through all kinds of situations, we can give thanks to God because of His presence and power in our lives. Everything that we have is because of God and he is worthy of thanksgiving always. 

1. • David an example of giving thanks- I Chronicles 29:9-13
   • When we give thanks to God: 
     • It magnifies God and His work in our lives while at the same time it minimizes our problems and our concerns. 
     • It reminds us who the great giver and supplier is in our lives.   
     • It sets our focus back on heavenly things instead of earthly things. 

7. Submitting Ourselves- Vs 21 You and I should have a submissive and respectful spirit. We should be going about our way serving and ministering to each other. There shouldn’t be any dissension, divisiveness, envy, criticism, or selfishness among each other if we are really “submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God”. 

1. • Philippians 2:3-4 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others”. 
   • Romans 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”. 

Conclusion: This lesson hopefully has put a new perspective regarding our walk. We should always be walking circumspectly and not as fools, if we do that, all the things we covered here will be done with purpose and intention.