Walking As Wise People

God, in His kindness as a good Father, has given us instruction on how we are to live as His people so that it will go well with us and to glorify Him. In this passage, God teaches us to live as wise people.

Tyler’s Main Points

  • Walk wisely by informing your walk with the Word of God.
  • Walk wisely by redeeming the time.
  • Walk wisely by discerning the will of the Lord for your time.

Key Takeaways

  • Believers still have a propensity to walk foolishly, rather than walking according to the wisdom of God.

  • God is a good Father who gives us His Word and wisdom to live differently than the world and our past– for our good, to glorify Him, and as a witness to others.

  • Wise people live a life informed, governed, and guided by the Word and wisdom of God. Fools live informed, governed, and guided by anything else.

  • God has not only given us His wisdom through the Word of God, but through His living example in Jesus– who is Himself the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:22-24).

  • As preached by Jesus in Matthew 7:24-27, the wise man not only hears the wisdom of God, but puts His words into practice.

  • When it comes to living wisely, we must look before we leap and ask before we act. As Tyler implores, “The wise person will carefully consider God’s Word, will carefully consider Christ’s example, and then respond by applying it and walking in joyful obedience.”

  • Although the natural current of the world is evil, God calls His redeemed children to redeem the time He has gifted them. 

  • We must make the most of the opportunities appointed for us by God by following His wisdom and living in a manner that glorifies Him.

  • As revealed by God’s Word, the general will for all believers is to know God, love Him, love our neighbor, make disciples, glorify Him, and to become like Him.

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal application:

  • Read the “Wisdom and Folly” link and encourage the members in your CG to read it this week. Which areas of your life are you prone to living like a fool rather than a wise person?

  • What lesser authorities (voices other than God) are you allowing to have influence over your perspective, priorities, and practices? What lies are you believing and what are these lies costing you and those around you?

Discuss with your community group:

  • Review the “Unwise vs. Wise” table. What area do you struggle most to live wisely? Describe how Christ is our perfect example in each member’s specific area of struggle and give thanks that He is also our perfect substitute for our foolish living.

  • What is your next step in faithfully redeeming your time?

Passages Referenced for Further Study
Ephesians 5:14-17; Ephesians 4:1; Proverbs 26:11; Proverbs 1:32; Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 13:20; Proverbs 28:26; Proverbs 29:11; 1 Corinthians 1:22-24; Matthew 7:24-27; Acts 17:26; James 4:14; Psalm 90:10-12; Luke 12:16-21; Luke 9:23-24.