1. Walk in Wisdom
Ephesians 5:15-21

2. Walk Circumspectly
Circumspectly – (carefully), mindfully. Deliberate
With accuracy – Luke 1:3 – perfect understanding Acts 18:25-26 – Apollos taught accurately
1 Thessalonians 5:2 – you know perfectly

3. Walk Circumspectly
Not as fools (unwise – NASB) – (ἄσοφος, asophos), “without wisdom”
Fools: Psalm 14:1, says there is no God Proverbs 1:7, despise instruction and wisdom Proverbs 1:22, hate knowledge Proverbs 14:9, mock at sin

4. But as wise– (σοφος, sophos),
Walk Circumspectly
But as wise– (σοφος, sophos),
Wise – one who applies wisdom. Wisdom is understanding knowledge
Walking in wisdom – one applies his knowledge, Colossians 4:5 Proverbs 15:21, a man of understanding walks uprightly
Our walk is not one based upon emotions and feelings (i.e. “I think”), rather it is learned from God’s word and applied!

5. How to walk in wisdom (16-21)
Redeem your time
Wisdom is not gained overnight, or by osmosis.
It comes with time and application
Redeem – to buy up something. Paying the price for something
Make the most of your opportunities – time is valuable
Philippians 4:8
Why? Because the days are evil

6. How to walk in wisdom (16-21)
Understand the will of the Lord
Do not be unwise – foolish or devoid of wisdom, or sound judgment
Understand what the will of the Lord is
The proper source - Colossians 1:9, Romans 12:2
We CAN understand it – cf. Ephesians 3:3-4

7. How to walk in wisdom (16-21)
Understand the will of the Lord
1 Peter 2:15, by doing good you put to silence the ignorance of foolish men
Let us go to HIS source- 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

8. How to walk in wisdom (16-21)
Be sober
You will not gain wisdom while in a state of stupor or rage. Wisdom comes from controlled contemplation
Do not be drunk with wine – any substance that dulls the senses, alters our thinking, etc. Why wine is not wise – Proverbs 20:1
Be alert – 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, Romans 13:13, 1 Peter 5:8

9. How to walk in wisdom (16-21)
Be filled with the Spirit
A life with purpose has direction! It does not come from an empty shell! Cf. Luke 11:24-26
INSTEAD of wine! Fill yourself with that which comes from God
Cf. John 16:13
The fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23
Romans 8:1, 5-6, Colossians 3:16

10. How to walk in wisdom (16-21)
Worship together
The wisdom from above will follow HIS instructions. That is why we only sing. Instruments do not give us wisdom!
Specifically, singing is mentioned
Our worship, when done properly, will ultimately build us up
1 Corinthians 14:15

11. How to walk in wisdom (16-21)
Giving thanks always
Gratitude lends to humility. Humility toward God will provoke us to see His will. Wisdom will help us find it!
Gratitude emphasized in scripture
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Colossians 3:17

12. How to walk in wisdom (16-21)
Submitting to one another
Wisdom reminds us of who our brethren are. We cherish our family relationship and maintain it carefully (i.e. with wisdom)
Submitting in the fear of God
Philippians 2:3-4 1 Peter 5:5

13. Are we walking in a manner fully pleasing to Him?
In love (5:1-2) In light (5:8-14) In wisdom (5:15-21)