Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:15-18

Do Not...

(Ephesians 5:15-18)

Intro.

1. People are tempted to resist the “thou shalt not” Bible passages.

a. Some only see Bible as a list of “do nots” (wrong), Matt. 22:37-39.

b. Some do so by wholesale rejection of the Bible, God, and truth.

c. Others do so by cherry-picking what they will and will not obey.

d. Some brethren scold those who teach on the “do not” passages as not being positive enough (negative), even legalistic, and discouraging.

2. Who are we to reply against God? (Rom. 9:20)

3. Eph. 5:15-18: The apostle commands things we are not to do.

I. DO NOT WALK CARELESSLY, Eph. 5:15-16.

A. See that You Walk Carefully, 5:15.

1. See (blepo): “to look, —behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed” (Strong’s, I:19).

2. Walk: Way of life, course of conduct.

3. Carefully: Exactly, diligently, circumspectly (vigilant, cautious).

a. Thoroughly, Matt. 2:8.

b. Orderly (with direction, not chaos), Lk. 1:3.

c. Accurately, Acts 18:25; 24:22.

B. Not as Fools, but as Wise, 5:15.

1. Live in wisdom (Prov. 3).

2. Do not be deceived, 5:5-6. Foolish to follow calls to join in sin.

3. Do not partake, 5:7-11. Be children of light, not share in darkness.

C. Redeeming the Time (evil days), 5:16. (buy up, rescue from loss)

1. Evil: “hurtful, i.e. evil (properly in effect or influence)” (Strong’s). (cf. Matt. 6:34)

2. Redeem: Buy up, rescue from loss.

a. Time is a tool offered us at this moment (Jas. 4:14).

b. So, do good when you can, Eccl. 11:2.

3. Foolish to plan a future without God in the present, Lk. 12:15-21.

II. DO NOT BE UNWISE, Eph. 5:17. (Void of understanding, discretion, discernment, perception), Phil. 1:9-11.

A. Understand What the Will of the Lord Is, Eph. 3:3-4.

1. Comprehension (mentally acquire knowledge), to grasp the determination, purpose, decree of the Lord (Jno. 13:17).

2. Discernment to skillfully apply knowledge, 2 Pet. 1:2, 5-6; 3:18.

3. Application (obedience), cf. Phil. 1:10-11.

B. To Understand God’s Will We Must:

1. Have an open heart, Mk. 4:13-15.

2. Want to do God’s will, Jno. 7:17. (desire)

3. Listen to God’s word and study Scriptures, Acts 2:22; Eph. 3:4.

4. Live the word, using it to discern good and evil, Heb. 5:13-14.

III. DO NOT BE DRUNK WITH WINE, Eph. 5:18.

A. Drunk: Intoxication, filled with alcohol, Gal. 5:21.

1. In drunkenness there is loss of self-control and sound judgment (reasoning).

2. Not watchful, daylight activity, 1 Thess. 5:6-8.

B. Dissipation: Excess (KJV), riot (ASV), debauchery (ESV).

1. Lack of restraint, wasteful, lax, licentious, Tit. 1:6; 1 Pet. 4:3-4.

2. cf. the wasteful living of the son, Lk. 15:13.

C. Be Filled with the Spirit, 5:18.

1. Not:

a. Feelings, Prov. 14:12; Jer. 17:9-10.

b. Miracles, 1 Cor. 13:8-10; Acts 8:14-17.

2. Filled with revealed truth, Col. 3:16; Jno. 16:8, 12-13; 1 Cor. 2:10-13.

D. Why be Filled with the Spirit? Eph. 5:19-21

1. To participate in Spirit-filled worship (singing), Col. 3:16.

2. To express Spirit-guided thanksgiving, 1 Thess. 5:16-18 (19).

3. To offer Spirit-directed service (reverent submission to each other), Gal. 5:22-23 (bear fruit of the Spirit).

Conclusion

1. To do the right things (be righteous) we must also not do the sinful things.

2. Christ died so we will be holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:27).

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: June 28, 2019