Walk Circumspectly

Temple Baptist Church - 2-8-2009

Ephesian 5:15-17

Introduction:

A. I have been preaching on aspects of the Christian Walk for the past couple of weeks and tonight, I want to preach on “Walk Circumspectly.” It is of the utmost importance that we, as believers, have a godly testimony in this present evil world for we are all of Christ that this world see.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

B. As God’s dear children, we are admonished to live separate, holy lives—not unholy, conformed to this world ones. The world has adversely affected the church with its ever present influence instead of the church affecting the world.

C. In these verses, the world “circumspectly” is used to describe our manner of walk.
Circumspectly - exactly, accurately, diligently, cautiously, looking around on every side.
Circumscribe - to draw a line around, to enclose within a certain limit, limited by bounds

D. The Holy Spirit vividly describes both the un-circumspect and the circumspect walks with two words: “Not as fools, but as wise.”

1. Fool 1) One who is destitute of reason, or the common powers of understanding; an idiot. A person who is somewhat deficient in intellect, but not an idiot; or a person who acts absurdly; one who does not exercise his reason; one who pursues a course contrary to the dictates of wisdom. In scripture, fool is often used for a wicked or depraved person; one who acts contrary to sound wisdom in his moral deportment; one who follows his own inclinations, who prefers trifling and temporary pleasures to the service of God and eternal happiness.

a. The fool will sacrifice the eternal on the altar of the temporal. “He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep in order to gain that which he cannot lose.”

b. The fool will sacrifice God’s will on the altar of self-will.

c. Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

2. Wise – 1) Having knowledge; knowing; enlightened; of extensive information; learned. 2) Hence, especially, making due use of knowledge; discerning and judging soundly concerning what is true or false, proper or improper; choosing the best ends and the best means for accomplishing them; sagacious.

E. Walking circumspectly – Within the boundary or circle.

1. Walk In The Circumference Of Obedience – vs. 1
2. Walk In The Circumference Of Love – vs. 2
3. Walk The Circumference Of Purity – vs. 3
4. Walk In The Circumference Of Sobriety – vs. 4
5. Walk In The Circumference Of Fear – vs. 5-7
6. Walk In The Circumference Of Light – vs. 8-9
7. Walk In The Circumference Of Excellency – vs. 10
8. Walk In The Circumference Of Separation – vs. 11-13
9. Walk In The Circumference Of Watchfulness – vs. 14
10. Walk In The Circumference Of Expectancy – vs. 15