Young People's Group

Walk Circumspectly

by Mitchell Tan
October 16, 2015

THE PERIPATETIC PRINCIPLE OF LIVING CIRCUMSPECTLY

Time is precious. We can either use it well or squander it away. In the text of Ephesians 5, the apostle Paul was dealing with the issue of time by challenging the Ephesians to walk circumspectly.

“See then that you walk circumspectly …”
Ephesians 5:15

The word “walk” is the Greek word “peripateo”. It means to “to walk by following”. As the disciples of Jesus walked around with Him, learnt from Him and followed after His example, we too can learn by following the Lord Jesus. We are to conduct our life carefully as children of God. One of the peripatetic principles is to combine “walking” and “being circumspect” together. Being circumspect has the idea of being very clear and careful in where we walk. Young people, let’s not waste the time God has given us. Let’s take heed that we walk wisely as God’s people.

REASONS FOR LIVING CIRCUMSPECTLY

What are our reasons for doing so?

1. PREVENTING OURSELVES FROM RETURNING TO OLD FOOLISH WAYS

“Not as fools … Therefore do not be unwise … Do not be drunk with … dissipation”
Ephesians 5:15, 17, 18

The apostle Paul challenged the Ephesians to not foolishly misuse their time as the Gentiles do. They were not to walk as the Gentiles lived “in the futility of their mind” (Ephesians 4:17). They were not to be drunk with debauchery. Young people, let’s ensure that we are not fools in wasting our time.

2. PROTECTING OURSELVES AGAINST THE POWERFUL INFLUENCE OF THE EVIL ONE

“Because the days are evil”
Ephesians 5:16

Another reason to walk circumspectly is because there are the powerful influences of the evil one which can lead us astray. It is easy for us to become unwise and allow ourselves to give place to the devil. We are to live carefully that we may stand against the wiles of the evil one (Ephesians 6:11).

LEARNING TO LIVE WITH GREATER WISDOM

1. GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WILL OF GOD

“But understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:17

One of the ways to live circumspectly is to be able to comprehend what is God’s will for our life and ministry. We are to study the Scriptures and discover further what His will for us as individuals and as God’s people. As we know His will, let’s seek to humbly do it and to follow through with it.

2. GREATER FILLING OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit”
Ephesians 5:18

Paul also spoke of being filled with the Spirit of God in our life. The person who is filled with the Spirit will speak to others with the word of God. He would sing with joy in his heart to the Lord. There would come within him a spirit of thanksgiving and he would learn to submit to others in the fear of the Lord in the Church. Let’s seek so much more this filling of the Spirit in our life and ministry.

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