Each morning, after I have my time with the Lord, I take a walk with our dog. Several mornings lately, it has been raining and I have had to adjust my walk. Sometimes I have to change the time of the walk, or the length of the walk, or not even go for a walk at all.

The great change that takes place when a person becomes a Christian requires that he adjust his walk in life. Christians cannot be happy living as they used to live.

Transition

In Ephesians 5:8-17, God gives us three commands to adjust our walk. This evening we are going to pick up where we left off last week.

Walk as Children of Light, v.8-10

  1. Christians can walk as children of light.
  2. Christians have a duty to walk as children of light.
    1. What Bible facts do you use when proving all things? You need to memorise the Bible facts that you need on a daily basis. For example:

      Colossians 3:8-9 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, …

      Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever …

      1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; …

      Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness …

      1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither …

    2. You need to know how to find Bible facts on less common issues. Have a concordance or good Bible software and learn how to search the Bible for answers.
      1. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
      2. Be sure to keep your findings in context.
      3. Give God the benefit of a doubt if you are not sure or if Bible teachers disagree.
      4. Stick with the goal of truly wanting to find what is pleasing to the Lord rather than looking for an excuse for your sin.
    3. When you know what God says in either command or principle, then it is time to apply v.10 and 1Th 5:21-22.

      1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

      1. Hold fast that which is good
      2. Abstain from all appearance of evil
      3. A godly choice has nothing to do with our
    4. Romans 14:23 is a good verse to aid to our testing.

      Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

      When we studied this verse, we learned the following:

      1. The word translated “doubteth” means to hesitate or to waiver. Rogers
      2. The word “damned” does not mean sent to hell. It means to be condemned or made liable for judgment. It makes you guilty before God.
      3. When God says, “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin”, He is saying that we must truly believe that what we are about to do pleases God and passes God’s proving test. We must base this on confident faith that it is right. If we are not sure of this and do it anyway, we commit a sin. It is sin because we chose to do what we knew might not be right. God does not want us to choose the questionable, but the clear. Another way to say this is, “If in doubt, don’t!”

Have no Fellowship with Darkness, v.11-14

  1. We must not participate in works of darkness.
    1. Works of darkness are unfruitful. They lack the fruit of the Holy Spirit, v.9. They are not good, right, or true to God’s standard.
    2. The word “fellowship” speaks of partnership, sharing, or participating together. Christians must not share in any of the unfruitful works of darkness – anything that fails the proving test and is not acceptable unto the Lord, v.10.

      Proverbs 4:14-15 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

  2. We must reprove unfruitful works of darkness
    1. The word “reprove” means to expose, to find fault with, to convict, or to rebuke.
    2. Many of the sins of darkness done in secret are shameful and we should not even talk about them let alone do them, v.12.
    3. When we prove all things, take a stand for right, and let God’s light shine in the darkness, it reveals all that is evil and convicts or rebukes those involved, v.13.
    4. I agree with J. Vernon McGee’s comment on v.14, “I think what Paul means here is that the believers who have fallen into a spiritual stupor are to wake up.” If we are not proving all things and walking as children of light, we need to wake up and get busy.

Walk Circumspectly, v.15-17

  1. Walking circumspectly is wise, v.15.
    1. The word “circumspectly” means to choose every step carefully.

      If you go for a walk after a rain, you must walk circumspectly or you will step in puddles and get wet feet. As a Christian, you must walk circumspectly or you will step in the evils of this world.

    2. The circumspect walk is not like the walk of a fool but like the walk of the wise. What does that mean?
      1. Fools reject God’s counsel found in the Bible.

        Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

        Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

        Proverbs 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

      2. Wise people seek and follow God’s Bible counsel. They fear God and seek His constant direction.

        Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

      3. Wise people prove all things and carefully avoid all that does not pass the test as acceptable unto the Lord.
  2. Walking circumspectly is efficient, v.16-17.
    1. This walk redeems the time, buys it up, or makes wise use of every opportunity for doing what is pleasing to the Lord. In other words, we must deny ourselves of what we may want to do in order to do what most pleases God.

      Redeeming the time is the way a skilful salesperson acts. He is friendly, always ready, eager to talk about his product, knowledgeable, and persuasive.

    2. This reminder is needful because the days are evil and many Christians have stepped in the dirty puddles of the world. They have missed many opportunities to shine for Christ. They have missed the will of God for their lives.
    3. Therefore, be wise! Understand what the will of the Lord is and follow it, v.17.

Conclusion

Have you adjusted your walk so that it honours the Lord? Are you walking as a child of light? Do you prove all things before you get involved? Do you reject all fellowship with the works of darkness and seek to reprove them? Do you walk circumspectly, carefully stepping around the evil of our world and using your time wisely to do the will of the Lord?

Adjusting our walk is our duty as believers. You will never be a happy and fruitful Christian until you make these adjustments.

Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337
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Adjusting our Walk2
11 May 2014 PM – Ephesians 5:10-17 – Eph 14 – Scott Childs