Are You Confused About Making Godly Decisions? About Making

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NKJV) 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Walk in Wisdom “See then that ye walk circumspectly” (v. 15)  “See then” - “take heed”, “take action”, “make sure”. “Circumspectly” - “diligently” “carefully” “accurately” “Walk” - “To live” or “To be occupied with”. “Not as fools” - without wisdom/without skill, devotion and integrity. “Make sure that you live your life accurately and very carefully with skill, devotion and integrity.” Walk in Wisdom

“Redeeming the time” (v16) “Because the days are evil” Marketplace Term In other words, buy up the time or the opportunity. Or, “make the most of your time” NASB and NIV “Because the days are evil” Impurity, greed, idolatry, and disgusting sins of all types

“Therefore, Do Not Be Unwise” (v. 17) “Walking in wisdom” is walking in accordance with God’s will. The “will of the Lord” is the eternal plan of God God’s will is not a deep, dark secret F. F. Bruce said “The doing of God’s will is not a matter of irrational impulse but of intelligent reflection and action.” “But understand what the will of the Lord is.”

To seek God’s wisdom because it provides What Is God Requiring? To seek God’s wisdom because it provides heavenly instructions on earthly circumstances so we may act upon them in living in this world. How Well Are We Walking?

Requires Us To Walk In Wisdom I. Four Reasons God Requires Us To Walk In Wisdom

Requires Us To Walk in Wisdom 1. To become all that He created us to be (Matt. 22:37-40). 2. To experience and enjoy all the blessings He pours into our lives (Psa. 103:1-2). 3. Our lives will glorify Him (Isa. 43:7; Col. 1:10). 4. So we will avoid all the pitfalls associated with foolish living (Prov. 26:10; Rom. 2:5).

The Text Is Crystal Clear: We Must Accept the Responsibility Because God Will Hold Us Accountable “There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God” (Rom. 2:9-11) Do We Understand We Are Responsible?

II. The Essentials For Walking in Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1-7 Essentials For Walking In Wisdom 1. Strong Determination Does not happen accidentally or automatically. (Josh. 24:15 I John 3:1) Jer. 29:13 “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” "You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your deep driving desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny." Proverbs 2:1-7

Essentials For Walking In Wisdom Are You Praying For Wisdom? 2. Must Pray For Wisdom James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Are You Praying For Wisdom?

Do You Meditate on Scripture? Essentials For Walking In Wisdom 3. Must Meditate on God’s Word Meditate Contemplation or reflection, to focus your thoughts on: ponder over. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8). Do You Meditate on Scripture?

Meditation Requires Going Deeper By Asking Questions What caution is God giving me? How does this passage challenge me? What encouragement is God giving me in this passage? What does God want me to do in light of this passage? Results: Psa. 119:97-105

Essentials For Walking In Wisdom 4. Obedience To God’s Word James 1:22-25 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” Are We Living In Obedience To The Lord?

Essentials For Walking In Wisdom 5. Associate With And Learn From the Wise Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14) Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20 Who Are Your Closest Associates?

III. Wonderful Benefits Of Walking In God’s Wisdom

If You Apply For a Job In The Marketplace With Job Description The Working Conditions The Salary And the Benefits Provided medical, disability, and life insurance; retirement benefits; paid time off; and fringe benefits. Have you Considered God’s Benefit Plan?

Benefits of Walking In God’s Wisdom 1. Gain In Your Knowledge of God Prov. 4:10-12 “Hear, my son, and accept my sayings and the years of your life will be many. I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; and if you run, you will not stumble.” Proverbs 4:5-6 (NIV) 5 Get wisdom, get understanding;     do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;     love her, and she will watch over you…. Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Proverbs 24:5-6 The wise prevail through great power,     and those who have knowledge muster their strength. 6 Surely you need guidance to wage war,     and victory is won through many advisers. I Pet. 5:8 “If you seek her [wisdom] as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.” (Prov. 2:4-5) 1. Clear Direction & Guidance Prov. 4:10-12 2. God’s Divine Protection Prov. 4:5-6; 28:26 3. God’s Power to wage War with Satan Prov. 24:5-6 Are We Growing Strong In His Knowledge

2. Good Health and A Long Life Benefits of Walking In God’s Wisdom 2. Good Health and A Long Life Prov. 3:7-8 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.  It will be health to your flesh, strength to your bones.” The Righteous Value their time and seek to make the most of their time. Will plan for good health practices to take care of the body. Will plan to defeat stress and enjoy the peace of God. Will strive for good relationships in all of life. Contrast God’s Wisdom With Foolishness

My Grace Is Sufficient Benefits of Walking In God’s Wisdom 3. Genuine Joy and Contentment Prov. 3:13,17,18 “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding;…. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.” Can’t have joy, peace and contentment every moment: God Always Reminds Us He loves us and is in control He has a reason for allowing different tests He is walking through this difficult time with us. My Grace Is Sufficient

Benefits of Walking In God’s Wisdom 4. The Promise of Heaven A place of joy and beauty, of peace and happiness that will never end. Psalm 16:11 "In Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever." If You Miss Heaven You’ve Missed It All

Why would anyone choose Are You Walking In Wisdom? In Conclusion Why would anyone choose To walk in foolishness? Matt. 22:29 John 5:40 Are You Walking In Wisdom?