Watch Where You Walk

1. Introduction:

Lesson Text: Ephesians 5:15-21

A. The Christian life is frequently referred to as a “walk” in the Bible.

B. When we read about God’s people walking in a certain way or in certain approved activities, we know that it is talking about a lifestyle, or making the right lifestyle choices.

C. In Ephesians 5:15, the apostle Paul uses an important word for us to consider for how we live our Christian lives.

i. “See then that you walk circumspectly”

1. 72.19 ἀκριβῶς; ἀκριβής, ές: pertaining to strict conformity to a norm or standard, involving both detail and completeness—‘accurate, accurately, strict, strictly.’

2. ἀκριβῶς, adv., exactly, accurately, diligently: Mt. 2:8; Lk. 1:3; Acts 18:25; 1 Th. 5:2; ἀκριβῶς περιπατεῖν to live carefully, circumspectly, deviating in no respect from the law of duty, Eph. 5:15.

ii. “Therefore, consider carefully how you live, not as unwise but as wise,” (Ephesians 5:15, LEB).

iii. When Paul said that we are to “walk circumspectly” the meaning is that we are to be careful in living the Christian life, to see that we are in full conformity to the standards of the gospel.

iv. Just as God would not have entered the Tabernacle if it had not been made “according to the pattern” (cf. Acts 7:44; Heb. 8:5), God will not enter this Tabernacle if we do not live “according to the pattern!”

D. This passage (Eph. 5:15-21) contains a very clear path for us to “Watch Where You Walk”

2. Watching Where You Walk Means

A. A Wise Walk (Eph. 5:15, 17)

Prov. 1:7

Ps. 111:10

Wisdom is “understanding” and following the will of the Lord.

B. A Resourceful Walk (Eph. 5:16)

ESV, “making the best use of the time”

Col. 4:5-6

C. A Guided Walk (Eph. 5:18)

cf. Col. 3:16

Rom. 8:14

D. A Devoted Walk (Eph. 5:19-20)

The Christian lifestyle is nothing without devoted worship to God!

Assembling with brethren (“one another”), singing praise to God, prayerful thanksgiving to the Father in the name of the Son.

E. A Submissive Walk (Eph. 5:21)

The Christian lifestyle is one of submissive humility.

Cf. 1 Pet. 5:5