What practical steps help us avoid foolishness and seek God's will? Ephesians 5:17—A Call to Wise Living “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” What Foolishness Looks Like • Trusting personal opinion over God’s Word (Proverbs 28:26). • Ignoring godly counsel (Proverbs 12:15). • Living for the moment without eternity in view (Luke 12:19-20). Core Mandate: Know the Lord’s Will • God expects believers to pursue His revealed desires, not guess at them. • Scripture gives the clearest description of that will (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Practical Steps to Avoid Foolishness and Seek God’s Will 1. Saturate Your Mind with Scripture • “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) • Read daily; meditate on passages that address current decisions. • Memorize key verses for instant guidance when no Bible is open. 2. Submit Every Plan in Prayer • “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6) • Present options before God, asking Him to close wrong doors and open right ones. • Keep praying until peace and clarity replace confusion (Philippians 4:6-7). 3. Ask God Directly for Wisdom • “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5) • Expect an answer; God delights to guide His children. 4. Guard Your Influences • “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) • Seek mentors who model obedience; limit voices that pull you toward compromise. 5. Obey What You Already Know • Light comes to those who walk in the light they have (John 7:17). • Small steps of obedience build discernment for larger decisions. 6. Renew Your Mind Daily • “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) • Replace worldly assumptions with biblical truth through study, worship, and fellowship. 7. Cultivate the Fear of the Lord • “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7) • Reverence for God produces caution toward sin and eagerness to please Him. 8. Act on Christ’s Words Immediately • “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24) • Prompt obedience prevents second-guessing and builds spiritual momentum. 9. Evaluate Results by Eternal Standards • Ask: Does this choice advance Christ’s kingdom, display His character, and bear lasting fruit? (Colossians 1:9-10) • Reject any path promising short-term gain but eternal loss (Mark 8:36). 10. Stay Filled with the Spirit • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) • Continual surrender allows the Spirit to steer thoughts, words, and actions toward wisdom. Living the Verse Today Choosing wisdom isn’t complicated: saturate your heart with Scripture, submit to God in prayer, guard influences, and obey promptly. These daily habits keep the believer far from folly and firmly in the center of God’s will, fulfilling the charge of Ephesians 5:17. |
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