In our sermon last Sunday we considered how sometimes in life, we go around and around in circles, not making any forward progress. This is not what God wants for us. In Ephesians 5:15 Paul says, “be careful then how you live, not as unwise people, but as wise”. The word “live” comes from the Greek word, “peripeteo” which means, “to walk”. For Paul, “to live” means to make forward progress. As Paul continues in verse 15 he says “live not as unwise people, but as wise.” It is through wisdom that we begin to make forward progress. Unwise people stay stuck going around and around in circles. Wise people make forward progress. Therefore, wisdom is really important. The attaining of wisdom is commended to us throughout the scriptures. In proverbs 9:10, it says, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Which means, having a proper “fear of the Lord” is vital for our lives to be all that God wants for us. What is the “fear of the Lord” all about? It is reverence, awe, and respect for God. It is the acknowledgment of God’s omnipotence and as we learn from Psalm 33:18, it is also about placing our hope in God’s love; completely entrusting our lives to God.
In Ephesians 5:17, Paul adds to our understanding of wisdom and says, “So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Wise people are tuned in to God’s will and they live in sync with His purposes. In this passage of scripture, Paul provides several ideas for how we might live as wise people. He tells us in v. 16 to make the most of the time we have. Wise people don’t put off to tomorrow what can be done today. In v. 18, Paul exhorts us to avoid drunkenness. Drinking excessively does not make for a better life. It weakens our witness as believers and often draws us away from who we are at our best. Rather than be filled with wine, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. There is no point at which we would ever say, “that’s enough Holy Spirit.” Nothing but good comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit. In v. 19 Paul encourages us to use music to express our hearts to the Lord. In v. 20, he reminds us to turn to gratitude, giving thanks to God in all seasons, for everything.
I pray that we grow in wisdom; that we avoid anything which prevents us from being our best; that we express our gratitude to God. I pray that as people who are becoming more and more wise we would avail ourselves of the Holy Spirit. May we find ourselves making forward progress, no longer stuck in vicious circles just going around and around. May we experience the fullness of life in God.
