Walking Instructions

Ephesians 5:1-21 provides general admonitions and warnings to us on how to walk out (apply) sound doctrine given so far in Romans-Ephesians 4. What would it look like? We would be “followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love.” (Eph. 5:1) This section is a mix of instructions and warnings. Let us take a moment for review:

Godly Instructions: Directions to the Body about what to do is in Ephesians 5:1-21: Focus on these: “giving of thanks.” (vs.4) “walk as children of light” (vs.8), “Proving what is acceptable” (vs.10), “reprove them” (vs. 11) Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (vs.14), “walk circumspectly” (vs.15), “Redeeming the time” (vs.16), “understanding… the will of the Lord” (vs.17), “filled with the Spirit” (vs.18), “speaking to yourselves in psalms… hymns… spiritual songs, singing… making melody in your heart to the Lord” (vs.19), “Giving thanks always” (vs.20), and “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of the God.” (vs21)

Godly Warnings: Ephesians 5:3-18 has instructions to saints about what not to do: Don’t let certain things even be named among you… “fornication…uncleanness… covetous-ness… filthiness… foolish talking… jesting” (vs. 3-4) “Let no man deceive you with vain words” (vs 6), “Be not ye therefore partakers with them” (vs.7), “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (vs.11), “it is a shame even to speak of those things” (vs.12) “walk… not as fools” (vs.15), “be ye not unwise” (vs.17) and “not drunk with wine,” which is this world’s doctrine.(vs.18)

The remainder of the chapter, Ephesians 5:22-6:9, provides guidelines to live godly unto saints who have specific roles in this life, those who are wives, husbands, children, fathers, servants, and masters. Paul focused on the key issues that would be problematic when living in that role.

Reflect: The general instructions to the Body enable us to think about our own life to evaluate where we are in understanding and application. If we are lacking in some areas, pray to the Father and purpose in your heart to live according to what you know, with conviction in sound doctrine. If there are areas that seem unclear, go back and explore them. The goal is to walk fully persuaded and by faith and grace: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” (Phil 3:14-16) These are our walking instructions. The only way to do these things is by Christ’s mighty work in us. Pray, read, reflect, believe, and walk by faith to live it, trusting God.