The Point: In light of our identity, we must walk carefully.

"15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise," -Ephesians 5:15

What does it look like to walk carefully?

"15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise," -Ephesians 5:15

How do we walk in wisdom?

1. Ask for it
2. "5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." -James 1:5
3. Surround yourself with wise people
4. "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." -Proverbs 13:20
5. Build your life on God's Word
6. "24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”" -Matthew 7:24-27

"16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." -Ephesians 5:16

How do we redeem the time?

1. Do everything for the glory of God
2. "31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." -1 Corinthians 10:31
3. Keep eternity in mind
4. "When you forget eternity, you tend to lose sight of what’s important. When you lose sight of what’s truly important, you live for what is temporary, and your heart seeks for satisfaction where it cannot be found. Looking for satisfaction where it cannot be found leaves you spiritually empty and potentially hopeless. Meanwhile, you are dealing with all the difficulties of this fallen world with little hope that things will ever be different. Living as an eternity amnesiac just doesn’t work. It leaves you either hoping that now will be the paradise it will never be or hopeless that what is broken will ever be fixed. So it’s important to fix your eyes on what God has promised will surely come. Let the values of eternity be the values that shape your living today, and keep telling yourself that the difficulties of today will someday completely pass away. Belief in eternity can clarify your values and renew your hope. Pray that God, by his grace, will help you remember forever right here, right now." -Paul Tripp

"17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." -Ephesians 5:17

"2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:2

How do we seek the will of God?

1. Read and Study the Scriptures
2. "18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." -1 Thessalonians 5:18
3. "3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:[b] that you abstain from sexual immorality;" -1 Thessalonians 4:3

"18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit," -Ephesians 5:18

"Being filled with the Holy Spirit is being submissive to the control and leadership of the Holy Spirit in your life."

How can we be led by the Spirit?

1. Pray
2. "9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”" -Luke 11:9-13
3. Be Sensitive

"19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." -Ephesians 5:19-21

How do we live in community?

1. Worship together
2. "19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart," -Ephesians 5:19
3. Give thanks together
4. "20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ," -Ephesians 5:20
5. "16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." -Colossians 3:16
6. Worship Devo Link
7. Submit to one another
8. "21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." -Ephesians 5:21
9. "3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." -Philippians 2:3-4

1. Is my walk with the Lord careful or careless?
2. Out of the five things, which one has the Spirit highlighted for me to focus on?