Ephesians
“How Can I Live with Wisdom?”
Ephesians 5:15-33

Ephesians 5:15-17 

“Look carefully then how you walk …”
“Walk” simply means “live.” So how can I live carefully, live with wisdom?

1. Commit yourself to a Spirit-filled life. 

Ephesians 5:18-21

What does it mean, “to be filled with the Spirit”? To be “filled with the Spirit” means that the Holy Spirit is influencing or controlling both our thoughts and our words.

How do I yield myself to the influence and control of the Holy Spirit? It’s a constant, ongoing filling. This isn’t a one and done. You do it day after day.

What’s the benefit of living in the Spirit? The person yielded to the Holy Spirit will reflect the attributes of God in the course of their everyday life among people. They will increasingly find their life characterized by faith, hope, love and trust.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the foundation of the abundant life. (John 10:10)

2. Let the love of Christ teach you how to be humble.

Ephesians 5:22-24

Submission flows from humility. Humility is a vital Christian virtue. You cannot please God without humility.

Jesus modeled humility. Jesus consistently called his followers to be humble (Matthew 18:4, Matthew 23:12, Philippians 2:5-8)

Humility creates the capacity for submission. We are all called to mutual submission. (5:21)

We are all to “put ourselves under” others, “not looking to our own interests but each of us to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:4). We’re to put other people’s needs ahead of our own. 

“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve …” (Mark 10:45)

Practical application: What does submission look like in marriage?

Submission looks like a husband and wife, letting go of their own needs to control or to have their own way, and willingly serving their spouse.

If marital submission were all about decision-making and men ruling the home, then 5:21 would make no sense.

Wives, God is calling you in particular to set the example of submission in the home. 
Wives, make a plan. 
Couples, adopt the Policy of Joint Agreement.

3. Let the love of Christ teach you how to love others.

Ephesians 5:25-30

Christ-like love is sacrificial.
Christ’s love for you is full of truth.
Christ’s love for you brings holiness.
Christ’s love for you is nurturing.

Practical application: That’s what Christ-like love looks like in marriage!

Husbands, God is calling you in particular to set the example of Christ-like love in the home.

Love her with a unrelenting love (Hebrews 13:5)
Love her with a pursuing love (Luke 15:4-7)
Love her with a merciful love (John 21:12-15)

4. Let your union with Christ produce hope within you.

Ephesians 5:31-33

A profound mystery.
1. The Church is being prepared as a Bride.  
2. This union between Christ and the Church will be celebrated in heaven. 

Practical application: How can marriage mirror the love between Christ and the Church?