Walking in Wisdom and Understanding

Drew Morgan

15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—
16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.
17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:
19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord,
20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

–Ephesians 5:15-21

Big Idea: We are to Walk in Wisdom and Understanding. Your transformed life should have patterns of walking wisely in the will of the Lord.

1. Walk in Wisdom and Understanding (vv. 15–17)

• Walk carefully and wisely – Live intentionally, not foolishly; make the best use of time in a world that distracts us from what matters.
  • Do not coddle sin in your life
  • Do not center your life around things that do not matter, but make a plan and
  • pursue the Kingdom
• Pursue godly wisdom – Wisdom is not about what you know, but Who you know; true wisdom is found in knowing and trusting Jesus Christ.
• Understand the Lord’s will – Knowing the Word of God is knowing the will of God; believers grow in wisdom by applying Scripture daily.
  • Wisdom is Right Knowledge, Rightly Applied
• Our vision is to activate the personal and corporate calling of 3,500 sojourners by 2035—who embody and proclaim the unmatched beauty of Jesus in their circles of influence.

2. The Worship of the Wise (vv. 18–21)

• Led by the Spirit – Allow the Spirit to direct your desires and actions; “Walk in the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
• Spiritually encouragers – Encourage others through worship, song, and mutual edification; every believer has a priestly role.
• Spiritual service – Humbly submit to others and serve for the good of the community; true wisdom expresses itself in love.