The Days are Evil
Ephesians 5:15-17 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
People talk about how things seem to be getting worse with each passing day. Even in Paul’s time, the days were considered evil. Hence, the call to walk circumspectly, which means with great accuracy, or exactness. With diligence, as if one is carefully navigating a treacherous mountain side; not a broad, easy, gradual path. Reaching its summit requires great pains, care and diligence.
In addition, such times require wisdom, and understanding what the will of the Lord is. How many take this passage of Scripture to heart? What is His will?
Ephesians 5:18-21 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we cannot afford to dull our senses with self-medication; rather, we need to be filled with the Spirit Who is our true Comforter. Offering the praise and thanksgiving, which includes giving thanks for all things. Let’s zero in a bit on verse 21: “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of the Lord.”
As the Body of Christ, which is the Church, we cannot afford to be divided in this day and age. We never could! If you think about it, division reveals a lack of the fear of the Lord. How is it believers lambast other believers who are made in His image? Why would we waste time bickering over such things as doctrine and traditions, amongst other things? What good is that?
James 3:14-16 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing (NASB).
Unity Required
Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
If we are truly going to be unified, each of us needs to play our part as individuals. Our starting point is humbly submitting to the Holy Spirit, thus, walking in agreement with Him. Even if we have some mass consensus in the Church, if we are not in agreement with the Lord, we are not unified in the Spirit. Moreover, we are to be bonded together in peace. Unity requires His truth.
As we walk in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (see Proverbs 1:7; 9:10), our concern is His will and what pleases Him. When you read the prayer of Jesus in John 17, He emphasized us being one. Those who thrive on division, and backbiting lack the fear of the Lord, and are flesh-driven. Pride, ego and arrogance are an unholy trinity that has no place in the Church.
Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever (NASB).
Let’s briefly discuss one major bone of contention in the Body of Christ: doctrine. There are doctrines of men and devils; but there is only one Doctrine of Christ. Please note, the former is plural, divisive and demonic. The latter is singular, unifying and godly. There are numerous elements to the doctrine of Christ, but they are one (i.e. Hebrews 6:1-3). When discussing the Word of God, should we not be most concerned about The Truth, and what God thinks? Why would any of us try to prove our so-called “correct doctrine?”
All the elements of the doctrine of Christ fit together perfectly. Each member of the Body has an understanding as revealed by the Holy Spirit Who is The Teacher. As He leads our discussions, we should be able to glean from one another; thus, gaining a greater understanding. It is important to study to see if said teachings are so. Studying to disprove something is studying to disbelieve, which is the opposite of faith. Trying to prove a teaching lends itself to information-bias, and could lead to error, and even self-deception.
Truth can actually cause confusion. How so? If a person believes a lie, or a partial truth, he will find himself confused when he hears the truth. If you have the truth on a given subject, you cannot be confused in that area. Here’s the beauty of truth: once you find it, error falls away, and becomes mute. It will no longer be a consideration. What’s the point? We should come together in the fear of the Lord, and love. The study of doctrine should unify us; not cause division. Regardless of what we do together, we need to do it in love!
James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
