Pastor Rockwell / WALKING CIRCUMSPECTLY

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

 

WALKING CIRCUMSPECTLY

Ephesians 5:15-21

Introduction: We encounter a word that is not often used, circumspectly. The internet says: “Circumspectly’ means in a careful, cautious, and watchful manner, considering all possible consequences before acting. It implies being discreet and avoiding potential risks or dangers.” The word origin is “Circumsрicere” which means “to look around.” In other words, we should be aware of everything happening around us. It also has a secondary meaning of “being cautious.” The suggestion given to the church at Ephesus is “watch where you are going” and what is around you. The context of the verse provides some very significant applications. This study has them grouped into three significant ways. One of my favorite authors, Lewis Sperry Chafer, makes a clear statement about the significance of this section of Ephesians. He says, 

  “As we enter this section of this Epistle, it is with a consciousness that the dark picture of the manifestation of the flesh, whether in saint or sinner, has had a faithful portrayal, and that the divinely-enabled, God-honoring life is infinitely desirable. The contrast between these two extremes could hardly be drawn by a human pen.”

This “walk” is the “seventh” and final call for a “holy walk” by the believer. There is much room for a reformation of the Christian Walk in a society that cares little about spiritual lifestyles and does all it can to diminish or eliminate them. With this in mind, we should take the final verses of this chapter of Ephesians as a clarion call to ALL Christians to evaluate their lifestyle and walk with the Lord and ask themselves if they are in harmony with God’s word. There are three areas we want to explore: “The Wisdom of God,” “The Will of God,” and “The Ways of the Lord.” One of the guiding verses that should preface most of what is said is Ephesians 5:8 (KJV) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. Most of what is said after this verse gives instructions on how this is to be realized in the believer’s life. 

  1. WALKING IN WISDOM, Ephesians 5:15-17. Christians should acknowledge that their walk – lifestyle – as a believer is a 24/7 commitment. Your relationship is not to be a “on” again, “off” again proposition. If Christians are a “new” person (i.e., “new man”), there is to be evidence that this has taken place. The old life is not an option for a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is pointed out that “wisdom” is a quality, never an activity. People can act “wise,” but their behavior contradicts their lifestyle. There is an interesting take on this passage by the “new” translations. For instance, the NIV84 has verse 15 saying, “Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise” (see also ASV, NASB, et al). The NKJV suggests that “circumspectly” should be “carefully.” There is a difference between “carefully” and “circumspectly.” “Circumspectly” has the meaning of “being cautious,” which is definitely more than “carefully.” As seen above, “circumspectly” carries the idea of being aware of things around you. The word “carefully” is less environment-oriented. “Circumspectly” means to be aware of everything going on around you and not just where you might be walking, i.e., “watch your step.” This admonition of this verse is designed to be sure the Christian is aware of all that is going on around them. This could include what is going on with the world that would affect the Christian life. An illustration is that of “abortion” or LGBTQ or what is going on in our state that would affect how Christians can witness or be vocal about their commitment to the Lord. Things are going on around us that could deter our ability to witness to others about the Lord Jesus Christ. One source suggests the word has the meaning of: “focus on careful attention, accurately, . . .” John Phillips has an interesting illustration of this meaning. Marilyn and I saw this in Mexico when we went to Chihuahua City, Mexico to  help establish a church. Some of the men helped them do the first thing before building a church building, they constructed a wall designed like the following illustration. He said, 

“In some European countries, property is often protected by a high wall, the top of which is covered with embedded broken glass to discourage intruders who might try to climb over it. One can sometimes see a cat walking along the top of such a wall. The cat walks circumspectly, carefully, precisely, and assiduously. It picks up one paw and carefully places it where there is no glass. When that paw is in place, the cat reaches forward tentatively and gingerly with the next one.”

This is an excellent description of how the believer in Jesus Christ is to walk. The 

“walk” of a Christian is a daily exercise. We are to be constantly aware of our life in 

Christ 

The verse under study (Eph. 5:15) contrasts being “fools” with being “wise.”  

Remember what is said in Ephesians 1:17 (KJV): That the God of our Lord Jesus 

Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and 

revelation in the knowledge of him. Here is something to consider. The first time the 

The word “wisdom” occurs in the Bible in Exodus 28:3. Moses was instructed to speak to “all that are wise hearted whom I have filled with the spirit wisdom.” This wisdom was given to them to “make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him.” In fact, all the verses in Exodus, which has the word “wisdom” (eight total), speak of activities that would influence the spiritual life of the nation of Israel. They were constructing the Tabernacle, where God would dwell among His people. 

Most know how King Solomon asked God for “wisdom and understanding” (1 Chron. 1:10) to be the kind of ruler he should be. Yet, he backslid and disobeyed God in two areas of the Law of Moses, which prohibited the king of Israel from multiplying to himself “horses” and “wives” (Deut. 17:15-17). God also gave another responsibility to any king of Israel. He was to: And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites (Deut. 17:18). With these two illustrations the 21st Century believer needs to have wisdom in his activity as a Christian and in obeying the word of God which contains the wisdom of God.      

  1. WALKING IN GOD’S WILL, Ephesians 5:18-19. In vs. 18, Paul gives the negative, “be not drunk with wine” then the positive, “but be filled with the Spirit.” This pattern is also seen in vss. 15, 17. Dr. Hoehner makes a good point about the will of God. He says, 

“The unwise are governed by the flesh, whereas the wise are governed by the mind as it understands the will of the Lord. Once they comprehend the will of the Lord, they are to walk according to it. The will of the Lord is discerned by the gift of God’s insight and it is carried out by the power of God’s Spirit.” 

Many Christians struggle with the “will of God.” Paul gave an admonition to the church at Rome (and Orlando) in Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. The will of the Lord begins in the “mind” and progresses to the lifestyle. When the Bible uses the word “beseech,” it is in the form of a command. Romans 12:1 commands the Christian to “present your bodies a living sacrifice. . .unto God. Then he explains two things: (1) “be not conformed to this world”: (2) but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” The will of God is an important part of the Christian life. We should be conscious of our conformity to the will of God. It says, in Galatians 1:4 (KJV) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father. This verse is speaking of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul speaks of how “servants” are to be obedient to their masters, by the “will of God” (Eph. 6:6). In light of this we need to explore the three places in the New Testament that says what the will of God is: 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (KJV) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication; 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Then Peter made this comment about the “will of God”: 1 Peter 2:13-15 (KJV) 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. These matters are not optional for a Christian. How are you doing in with “sanctification?” How are you doing with “giving thanks?” How are you doing in submitting to the government?

  1. Sanctification, 1 Thessalonians 4:3. The word sanctify “basically means to set apart”. Dr. Charles Ryrie gives three aspects of sanctification. 
  1. Our Position. Sanctification “relates to the position every believer enjoys by virtue of being set apart as a member of God’s family through faith in Christ.” This applies to every believer no matter what their level of spirituality is. It is interesting that the Corinthian believers in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 are called “carnal” because of the divisions they had in the church. There is one verst that speaks to this matter in where Paul says the believers in Corinth are “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. 1:2). Sanctification is completed attribute the believer obtains at salvation, not something to be obtained.
  2. Our Progressive Growth. As Christians grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18), they develop more spiritually and demonstrate their sanctification. This is what is implied when Peter said in 1 Peter 1:16 (KJV) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 
  3. Our Place in Heaven, the Ultimate Sanctification. This is the final aspect of sanctification when we are eternally set apart to God in heaven. Look at Ephesians 5:26-27. Note what Jude had to say in Jude 24-25 (KJV) 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Because you are “sanctified,” you will not fall, because God will keep you from doing that
  1. Spirit filling, 1 Thessalonians 5:18. When you look at this verse, it stands in a list of things Paul admonishes the church at Thessalonica to incorporate into their walk with God, beginning with 1 Thessalonians 5:16, where he says, “Rejoice evermore.” Then in vs 17, “Pray without ceasing.” Following this verse, he says in vs. 18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Immediately following this, he says, “Quench not Spirit” (vs. 19). Peter’s statement in 1 Peter 2:13-15 indicates that as citizens of the world, we have the responsibility to “submit” to the “ordinance of man.” Being aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit is an essential part of a Christian’s life. The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer (Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20), making it imperative we submit to the Holy Spirit and obey the law. Dr. Hoehner makes an important statement about this verse. The contrast is not between wine and Spirit, but the two verbs, “drunk” and “being filled.” Wine leads to the “flesh” being in control of your life, while the Spirit leads to what is stated in Ephesians 5:19 (KJV) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Most do not consider the “ways of the Lord” (see: Psalms 18:21; 138:5).  
  1. WALKING IN WAYS OF THE LORD, Ephesians 5:20-21. These two verses are seldom applied to the Christian life. Many connect vs. 20 with what is taught in Ephesians 5:22-33 about the marriage relationship, and it is a good introduction to that section of scripture. Yet, it also has an application to the previous verses on the subject of being submissive to the Holy Spirit, His leading, and worship of the Lord. When we sing together in a church service, we are to do so in harmony with all around us. It says in Ephesians 5:20 (KJV) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The “ways of the Lord” should always include our thankfulness to God and the Father, “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Here are some verses to meditate on concerning the “ways of the Lord.”  

Psalm 18:21 (KJV) For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 

Psalm 138:5 (KJV) Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD. 

Now contrast these with the following:

Proverbs 2:12-13 (KJV) 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 

Proverbs 17:23 (KJV) A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. 

Ecclesiastes 11:9 (KJV) Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. 

Application: Hosea 14:9 (KJV) Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. [Emphasis added.]