Walking in Wisdom

Explanation: The 3rd and final condition for the believer’s lifestyle is that we are to walk in wisdom. This is contrasted with those who live foolishly and waste the time and resources that God gives. We are not to be foolish wasters and self-consumers; instead we are to understand that we have limited time and resources to use for Kingdom work.

The Greek word for time in v. 16 is Kairos, not chronos. This term refers to seasons of opportunity as opposed to chronological time.

Illustrate; NASA’s space rockets and shuttles all operate within “launch windows,” a set period of time for a favorable launch.

Argument: God gives His people opportunities, seasons in which we can join Him in what He is doing. If we rebel against His will, we can miss the opportunity. (cf. the spies’ negative report and the people rebelling brought about 38 more years in the wilderness)

Application: God’s time for us to take Kingdom action is now. God operates in the sense of today, never tomorrow. ()

Those who walk in Wisdom spend time discerning God’s Will ()

Explanation: The Apostle again contrasts the one walking in wisdom with the one who is foolish. Because the time is short - therefore - we are to abandon foolish ways and practices. Instead, the believer is to have the focus of discerning or knowing the Will of God. This is a huge truth: We can know what God’s will is. He wants us to know, and He has given us His book and Himself that we can know.

Illustrate: Some people read the horoscope to know God’s Will, others turn to Tarot cards, mediums, or gaze into crystals for understanding. Most of us probably don’t engage in these foolish activities, but we don’t spend enough quality time with God to listen and learn.

Argument: The book of Hebrews (1:1-4) tells us that God has definitively revealed Himself to us in Jesus. The Bible as a whole is God’s revelation to us concerning Jesus. For the Christian, the Bible is our source for understanding who God is and what He is about. The wisdom found in the Bible is not transmitted by osmosis or wishful thinking; discovering who God is and what His will is requires time

Application: Review your decision-making process. do you consciously include God in your process? Or do you make value driven decisions based on perceived positives?

Those who walk in Wisdom will be surrendered to the Spirit ()

Explanation: Instead of wasting time at the world’s table of food and drink, we are to be about the things of God. While this is not an extended treatise in alcohol, the Apostle makes it explicitly clear that to be drunk is a sin. Believers are commanded not to get in this state. The best way to avoid it, is to not partake at all.

With that being said, the contrast of being controlled by alcohol is to be controlled by the Spirit. A person who is drunk is not concerned about the opinion of others; a person who is controlled by the Spirit is not going to be concerned about the opinion of others either. When we yield to the Spirit, things are going to happen that will not be understood by the natural man, and may even invite ridicule or persecution.

Argument: This in not a second touch of grace. Each and every believer receives all of the Holy Spirit at the point of salvation (,; ). Although we have the Holy Spirit within us, we also have a nature of the flesh. Believers are engaged in continual spiritual warfare and the only avenue for success is to be yielded to the Spirit of God.

Application: The application is straight forward and is readily observed in our actions and behavior. Those who are yielded to the Spirit will:

Be involved in praise and worship (v. 19)

Be thankful people in all circumstances (v. 20)

Be submissive spirits (v. 21)

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