Walk Circumspectly
Text: Ephesians 5:15
4 May 2014
4 May 2014
May 2014 Theme: Walk in Him
Text: Ephesians 5:15
WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY
(I) THE DEFINITION OF BEING CIRCUMSPECT – WISE
“Circumspectly…” Ephesians 5:15
1. Clarity (Proverbs 4:18)
2. Certainty (Proverbs 3:23)
3. Calmness (Proverbs 3:17)
4. Carefulness (Proverbs 5:26-27)
(II) THE CONCEPT OF THE PERIPATETIC PRINCIPLE
“See then that you walk…” Ephesians 5:15
1. “Peripateo” means “to live by following”
2. Walking by following a teacher
3. Learning through walking with Jesus
4. The Lord Jesus’ call to follow Him (John 8:12, 12:35)
(III) THE PERIPATETIC PRINCIPLE OF WALKING CIRCUMSPECTLY
“See then that you walk circumspectly…” Ephesians 5:15
1. Walking and being circumspect to be combined
2. Walking circumspectly to be seen as a command
3. Walking circumspectly to be a continuous endeavour
(IV) THE PERSONAL REASONS FOR THE PERIPATETIC PRINCIPLE OF LIVING CIRCUMSPECTLY
1. Seeking to be dear children of God
“Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children.“ Ephesians 5:1
2. Preventing the possibility of going back to our old foolish ways
“Not as fools…therefore do not be unwise…” Ephesians 5:15, 17
3. Guarding against the powerful influence of the evil one
“Because the days are evil….” Ephesians 5:16
“That you may be able to withstand in the evil day…” Ephesians 6:13
(V) THE PRACTICE OF THE PERIPETATIC PRINCIPLE OF WALKING CIRCUMSPECTLY
1. Live with growing wisdom
“But as wise….” Ephesians 5:15
2. Live with greater urgency
“Redeeming the time….” Ephesians 5:15 cf. Colossians 4:5
3. Live with greater understanding of the will of God
“But understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:17
4. Live with the Spirit of God filling us
“But be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18
a) Fellowship
b) Singing to the Lord
c) Giving thanks to God
d) Submitting to each other