Live Carefully (Ephesians 5:15-21)
How do you take care of your health? Think of all the things we do to stay in shape. We exercise. We watch what we eat. We try to get enough rest and sleep. We go for health screenings. We take supplements and medication. If we add it all up, it is a significant amount of time and money we spend on taking care of our health. We make an effort to live carefully because our health matters. If we are careful with our physical wellbeing, are we just as intentional about watching out for our spiritual health?
We are in the second half of Ephesians, where the truths of the gospel are applied to life. Chapters 1-3 focus on gospel doctrine; chapters 4-6 focus on gospel living. We are saved only by the grace of God, not because of our works. But grace transforms us for good works. Thanks to Jesus Christ, God’s Son, we are made spiritually alive. Our sins are forgiven through his death and resurrection. We are united as God’s people. Christ has saved us to live new lives as his redeemed people. We do not just talk the talk, but we also walk the walk.
The way we walk matters. How we live reflects the state of our spiritual health. For this reason, Ephesians repeatedly exhorts us to watch our walk. It uses the verb “walk” again and again: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10); “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” (Eph 4:1); “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.” (Eph 4:17); “Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph 5:2); “At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Eph 5:8). And here, in our passage, the final exhortation to walk: “Look carefully then how you walk.” (Eph 5:15)
In Christ, we have new life. So, live it out. Walk worthy of who we now are in Christ. So be holy, for Jesus has already made us holy. I recently went for cataract surgery for my eyes. The doctor took out my old lenses and replaced them with new ones. It is as if I have been given new eyes. I’ve had severe myopia for most of my life. I started wearing glasses before primary school. But now, for the first time in over 40 years, I no longer need spectacles. I was blind, not now I see. My doctor told me the other day, “Enjoy your new life without glasses!”
Live carefully in the Lord.
This is what Paul is saying to us: Enjoy our new life in Christ! In him, we are a new creation. The old has gone; the new has come. We have been given spiritual sight to look at life with new eyes. Just as it would be silly of me to insist on still wearing my old glasses, so it would also be foolish of us to go back to our old way of life. How might we be tempted to return to the ways of the world, to return to our former lifestyles, habits and practices? Ephesians reminds us of our new identity in Christ. So, be holy for we are holy. Last week, we heard about how we are to wake up and walk as children of light. Our passage today urges us to watch out how we walk. This is the big idea: Live carefully in the Lord. What does this mean? We are to: (1) Be wise; (2) Be understanding; and (3) Be Spirit-filled.
Be wise (Eph 5:15-16)
The main command in our passage is found in Ephesians 5:15: Look carefully how you walk. Watch out! Do not be careless or thoughtless. As Paul says in 1 Timothy: Keep a close watch on what we believe and how we live. Be intentional. Remember who we are in Christ. Examine ourselves to see if we are living in a way that is consistent with our new life in the Lord. Just as we should not take our physical health for granted, so let us not be complacent about our spiritual wellbeing. Typically, we do not suddenly fall, but we gradually drift and stray away. Therefore, take heed lest we fall.
Look carefully how we walk. Paul uses three contrasts to explain what living carefully means: not as unwise but as wise (Eph 5:15); do not be foolish, but understand (Eph 5:17); do not get drunk...but be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18). We will consider each one in our three points.
True wisdom can only be found in God.
So, firstly, be wise, not unwise. True wisdom can only be found in God. Hence, to be wise means to know God. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” And, how do we know God? He has graciously revealed Himself to us in the Person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. In him, we see the glory of God, full of grace and truth. Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. He has become to us wisdom from God. Therefore, to live wisely means to know God by knowing the Son whom He has sent. Behold God’s glory revealed in Christ. To know Jesus is to personally know the goodness of His holiness, love, grace, and mercy. It is to know more of His work in creation and salvation. All things were created by the Lord Jesus. He is also the only saviour for sinners. Jesus has made peace between God and us by the blood of His cross.
We have all lived as fools, for we have turned away from God to worship ourselves and created things. We have all lived to satisfy our sinful, selfish desires. Because we have forsaken the only wise God, we rightly deserve His judgement and condemnation. We deserve death—not just physical death, but spiritual death and eternal separation from God. But though we have turned our backs on God, He did not abandon us to our folly. In love, He sent his Son to save sinners. Jesus came to rescue the foolish and to make us wise. Jesus lived the life we should have lived. Yet, He died the death we should have died. He did so for our sake. He bore God’s judgement, so that all who trust in Him can be forgiven and made right with God. If we trust in Christ, we will have life, wisdom and righteousness.
Therefore, in Ephesians 1:17, Paul prays for God to give believers “the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him”. The Spirit imparts wisdom by helping us to know the hope we have in Christ, the wonderful privilege we have of belonging to God, and the immeasurable greatness of God's power working in us. Be wise by knowing Jesus and the boundless blessings we have in Him.
Verse 16 says those who are wise in Christ will make the best use of the time. Why? Because the days are evil. Do not be ignorant of the age in which we live. This present age is marked by sin and death. But through His death and resurrection, Jesus has ushered in the new age. The last days have begun. This present age is passing away. Jesus has delivered us from the present evil age. In Christ, we belong to the new age. But in the meantime, we live in the overlap of the ages, between this present age and the age to come. The time is short. Jesus is coming back. When He returns, He will bring the new age in its fullness.
To be wise means to live in the light of Jesus’ return. It is to view time in a Christ-centred way. He holds our days in his hand. The One who is the Alpha and Omega is sovereign over our beginnings and our endings. Therefore, live for Jesus while we can. Spend our days for his sake. Do not set our hopes on the present age, which is fading away. Do not be distracted by pursuits and entertainments that draw us away and dilute our devotion to Christ. Our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. Each passing day brings us closer to eternity. Hence, Moses prays in Psalm 90: “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
So, do not be careless or complacent with time. In an age of doomscrolling, aimless surfing, binge watching and Internet addiction, it is easy to fritter the hours away on our screens. A survey last year found that the average daily screentime of Singaporean teens is around 8.5 hours. I’m sure adults are not far behind. Imagine spending one-third of our life looking at a screen!
We ought to make the best use of the time to serve the Lord.
The point here is not just that we should not waste time. More than that, we ought to make the best use of the time to serve the Lord. We will not always have an opportunity to do so. As Jesus reminded his disciples, let us work while it is day. Using the language of commerce, Paul literally tells us to “buy” or “redeem” the time. Like a savvy businessman who is always hunting for good deals, so we should always be looking out for ways to serve the Lord. Shopping and bargain-hunting are our national pastime, so we should have no problems understanding this! Be opportunistic and alert to ways we can live for Jesus. Do not be selfish or self-centred about how we use time. After all, the time does not really belong to us; Christ is Lord over time. So, make the best use of the time to grow in Christlike maturity and to build up the church. Seize every opportunity to care for one another, to speak the truth in love, to grow in Christ, to do what is pleasing to the Lord. Surrender our schedules to the Lord. Ask him for wisdom to best make use of the time.
Be understanding (Eph 5:17)
Therefore, be wise, not unwise. That’s the first contrast and our first point. The second contrast and our second point is found in Ephesians 5:17 — Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. In the Bible, foolishness is a spiritual problem, not an intellectual one. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Ps 14:1). The fool insists on living without God, refusing to trust or obey him. The fool is neither humble nor teachable. “Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Pr 1:7) The fool thinks he is always right. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.” (Pr 12:15) “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool.” (Pr 28:26)
Do not be a fool. Do not be self-centred, self-sufficient or self-righteous. Instead, humbly depend on God, who made us and saved us. Trust in the Lord with all our heart, and do not lean on our own understanding. In all our ways, acknowledge the Lord, and He will make straight our paths. Do not be wise in our own eyes. Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (Pr 3:5-7) Understand the Lord’s will. To understand means to comprehend, to perceive clearly. Grasp the Lord’s will with our minds. And, it is God who opens our minds by his Spirit, that we might know Him through His word. God’s Spirit works through God’s word to reveal God’s will.
Our holiness and unity are the will of the Lord.
Often when we speak of knowing God’s will, we tend to focus on personal life decisions. For example, which school to go to, what job to do, whom to marry, what to do after retirement. We do need God’s guidance in such matters. But we must not miss the wood for the trees and lose sight of the bigger picture of God’s purpose for His people. Do not be short-sighted like me without my glasses in the past. If we are to make wise choices, then we need to first understand what the Lord has already revealed concerning His will for us. Notice how Paul emphasises it is the will of the Lord, referring to Jesus Christ. God’s will is centred on his Son, Jesus. Look back at Ephesians 1:9-10. Through the gospel, God has made known to us the mystery of His will. His purpose and plan is to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. It is the Lord’s will that we believe the gospel, live according to the gospel, and live for the spread of the gospel. It is the Lord’s will to give new life to sinners and to unite us in Himself as one church. Our holiness and unity are the will of the Lord. Beloved, understand that the Lord’s will is that we be holy and one in Him. So, walk in the light and walk in love. Having understood this, we then make our life decisions according to the Lord’s will. Ask ourselves, “Will this help me to grow in holiness?”; “Will this help me to love God’s people and to serve his church?”
Since our holiness and unity are the Lord’s will, we can be sure He will fulfil His plan for us. So, do not lose heart. Be encouraged to persevere in holiness and love. Our Lord Jesus will keep us until the end. He is committed to glorify His people. He has loved us and made us holy by laying down His life for us. It is the Lord’s will to present the church to Himself in splendour, that we might be holy and without blemish. So, centre your Christian life around Christ and his body, the church. Join with other believers in a local church where you can grow in holiness, unity and love. This is the Lord’s will for us: that we follow Jesus together as one church.
Be Spirit-filled (Eph 5:18-21)
What does it mean to live carefully? So far, Paul has explained this using two contrasts: Be wise, not unwise; Understand the Lord’s will, do not be foolish. The third contrast is found in Ephesians 5:18 — Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:19-21 explain what it looks like to be Spirit-filled.
Let us focus first on what to avoid: Do not get drunk. Avoid being inebriated or intoxicated by drinking too much alcohol, such as wine. Drunkenness was a common problem in New Testament times. It was not unusual for feasts to end in drunkenness and immoral or reckless behaviour. Some of the Ephesian Christians were saved from such a lifestyle. Drunkenness and alcoholism are still problems today. While the Bible does not prohibit alcohol outright, we must be very careful about how we drink. Ask ourselves: Can I give thanks to God for this? Does this honour Christ? Does this stumble other believers in their faith? More generally, we are to avoid being ensnared by anything that controls us and turns us away from God. A life of drunkenness or addiction is inconsistent with the new life in Christ. Such things belong to the old life, which we must leave behind, because we are light in the Lord. The story is told of Baptist pastor C. H. Spurgeon coming across a drunk man, who said to him, “Mr Spurgeon, do you remember me? I’m one of your converts!” The well-known preacher replied, “Well, you must be one of mine; you’re certainly not one of the Lord’s.”
Instead of getting drunk and losing self-control, we are to be controlled by the Spirit. Some think being Sprit-filled means having certain ecstatic experiences like speaking in tongues or prophetic visions. But this is not what Paul is saying here. The Spirit works in us to accomplish the Lord’s will for His people. And, as we saw earlier, the Lord’s will is our holiness and unity. So, to be Spirit-filled means to be led by the Spirit to walk in love and light. To be filled by the Spirit means to bear the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. The Spirit makes us more like Jesus. How does the Spirit bring this about? Paul’s prayer in chapter 3 tells us. He prays for believers to be “strengthened with power through his Spirit in (our) inner being”, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith and that we may be filled with all the fullness of God (Eph 3:16,17,19). To grow us in godliness, God’s Spirit fills us with God’s fullness. And, God’s fullness is found only in Christ alone.
How can we tell if we have been filled by the Spirit? It will show in three practical ways: We will speak and sing, we will give thanks, and we will submit to one another. First, we will speak and sing. Look at Ephesians 5:19 — Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart. Earlier, Paul exhorted us to build up the church by speaking the truth in love to one another. Singing is one way of doing this. We sing God’s truth to one another in the form of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. It is hard to tell what the distinctions are between these, but the main point is that singing the truth to one another is a way of speaking the truth. Sing doctrinally sound, gospel-rich songs that tell the old, old story of God’s amazing grace, and the power of the cross. We gather as a church on Sundays not only to worship God but also to edify and encourage one another. Some of us may be going through tough times. Amid our suffering and sorrow, singing can be a struggle. What comfort it is to be with spiritual brothers and sisters who sing for us! They lend us their voices to strengthen our hearts. Beloved, sing for one another’s joy in the Lord. Sing; do not be self-conscious or self-centred. As we sing to one another, we are also singing and making melody to the Lord.
Singing is for the Lord’s glory and for our good.
Singing is for the Lord’s glory and for our good. Sing with our heart. Sing sincerely out of the overflow of our hearts, because of what God has done for us in Christ. We are to look up and look around in corporate worship. There are two aspects to corporate worship: the vertical as well as well the horizontal. We direct our praise Godward, and we also speak encouragement to one another. Therefore, prioritise meeting with God’s people. This is how we worship God and serve one another. Love God and others by gathering regularly with the church. Come together to sing to God and to one another. You cannot do this by watching a live-stream. This is what it means to be Spirit-filled. Beloved, do not be absent for no good reason from this assembly of God’s people. Do not selfishly deprive others of our encouragement. The Spirit is grieved if we do not show up.
Second, to be Spirit-filled means to give thanks. Look at Ephesians 5:20 — Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit guides us to green pastures of gratitude. He helps us turn away from anxiety, complaining and bitterness. Give thanks always. Be thankful to God regularly, constantly. Make gratitude a habit and lifestyle. Whether in good or bad times, be grateful not grumbling. The Spirit helps us grasp the greatness of Christ’s love. How can we not give thanks when our hearts are gripped by the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge?
Give thanks for everything. Humbly acknowledge that all things come from the loving hands of our Heavenly Father, who wisely works all things for our good and his glory. Even our troubles are a part of his providence in our lives. Therefore, we can count it all joy, even when we meet trials of various kinds. Our Heavenly Father is refining our faith and growing us in grace. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (Jas 1:17), who does not change. Therefore, give thanks to God the Father in the name of Son. He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? (Rom 8:32)
Third, to be Spirit-filled means to submit to one another. Look at Ephesians 5:21 — Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. This verse connects to the next section of Ephesians, which shows us what submission looks like in various settings: marriage, family, and the workplace. In each one, we are to submit to others according to the authority and order established by God. So, wives are to submit to their own husbands. Children are to obey their parents. Workers are to give sincere service to their employers. The Spirit’s work in us becomes visible in this way. It will be seen in our relationships in the home and the workplace. When we are filed by the Spirit, He transforms how we relate to our spouse, children and parents. He transforms how we work. We will hear more about this in the next few sermons.
Submission flows out of a heart shaped by the Spirit, to love Jesus and His people.
The world sees submission as a bad thing, thinking it’s weakness. But biblical submission is different. To submit does not mean to be inferior. It is out of reverence for Christ. The fear of the Lord motivates us. This is not a cowering terror, but a worshipful desire to trust and honour the Lord. Because Jesus has saved us, we want to live out the new life we have received from him. The Spirit helps us to follow Jesus, who came humbly as a servant. He came not to be served but to serve. When we are Spirit-filled, we walk with all humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love. We will be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit. Submission flows out of a heart shaped by the Spirit, to love Jesus and His people.
Our walk matters, for it reveals the state of our spiritual health. Therefore, watch out how we walk. Live carefully in the Lord. Be wise. Understand the Lord’s will. Be Spirit-filled by speaking and singing the truth, by giving thanks, and by submitting to one another for Jesus’ sake. May He be glorified in us, hHs church.