Ephesians 5:1-15
Paul tells us to be imitators of God and to walk in love as Christ loved us as he starts Ephesians 5. He then goes on to provide us with a number of things we shouldn't do, that we need to avoid, as children of God. When we get to verse 9 and 10 we see this instruction, "Walk as children of the light . . . and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."
So how do we do that? How do we discern what is and isn't pleasing to God--in our day-to-day lives and also when a specific circumstance or situation presents itself? Tami W.
Another great question!, one that shouldn't be taken lightly. I guess that the answer to the question of "how do we discern" can be found in vs 8 "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" Something that's more easily said than done!! But, if we are born-anew, we have His Holy Spirit to guide us and help us discern things. We need to continually stay in and look to the Light!
That is a very good question, Tami. Matthew 6:33 says to put God first, then everything else will fall into place (my paraphrase). So, by talking to God first, and listening, I find myself in not quite so many "not pleasing to God" places in my life. If I am doing God's will, I have a peace/calmness in my soul. If I am not right with God, I find myself struggling inside - and fighting those around me (not physically). For me, God confirms that our relationship is on the right track by waking me up with a song or chorus running through my head.
Have a God filled day, everyone!
Andy Stanley has a great book out entitles "The Best Question Ever". It's based on Eph 5:15 - to live as the wise, not unwise. Your question was how can we discern what's pleasing to God - Paul's answer is to live as wise men.
Andy Stanley gives a great tool for living wisely - the best question ever - "Based on my past experience, my present circumstances and my furture hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing for me to do".
This question has the potential to change our lives - it's certainly helped me!!
Dan
I believe the Holy Spirit guides us in the right direction, but we shouldn't rely totally just to be "led". Our Father wants us to SEEK Him, and all the answers lie in His Word, and only by studying it and opening our hearts to it's truth can we know God's heart, character,and will for our lives. And His will for my life is the same as for everyone's, to experience His love, mercy and forgiveness and to accomplish the purpose He created us for. For we His children, passages like this are golden, giving us clear directions to living a life pleasing to our Father. Thank you, Lord, for providing it for us!
What perfect timing for these verses to arise...considering the new law passed in Washington DC concerning same sex marriages. We are to "test" things against the word of God. If it is accordance with scripture then it is okay. If it goes against what scripture says...then it is not. The world is very accommodating. God has provided rules that we must live by...in order for us to live blessed lives. We have strayed far from what God has put in place. We must remind ourselves of His teachings and live by His word.
I appreciated all the comments so much. I have to agree that it's basically the Holy Spirit inside of us. Also, the more time we spend in God's and in God's pressence the more know God's character and His heart.
These are wonderful comments. We are really living in a time where everything that is wrong is being accepted by society and as children of God we ( I) find myself in certain situations at times, but we just need to realize society live according to the laws of the land we live according to the laws of God's words. Its the word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit that is there for us, because the flesh sometimes fail us and we (I) find our selves in bad situations.Galatians 5 verses 16-18 encourages us" to walk in the Spirit"........"if he be led of the Spirit ye are not under the law".
We have the Holy spirit in us so we know our purpose is to bring glory to GOD. If we focus on what path we should be on, then our feet will walk on good soil. EPHESIANS 6: 10 Be strong in the Lord. 11 put on the full armor of God. The sheild of faith. The helmet of salvation. The sword of spirit, which is the word of God.IF GOD IS FOR US WHO COULD BE AGAINST US. The days are evil BUT God is great. Many things please God but today, I want him to know I am seeing my sins and let him know how ashamed I am BY repentence.
We can learn what is pleasing to God by walking in the Spirit. When we turn to Galatians 5:19-21 it tells us what isn't pleasing while verses 22-23 tell us what fruits of the Spirit are. There will always be a struggle between our flesh and the Spirit, but we have to let the Spirit be our controlling factor and follow Jesus Christ on the narrow road.
When specific situations happen, we have to learn to stop and pray. God will guide us when we let Him do what He pleases and not what we please.
Romans 12:2 (New International Version)
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
This Passage came to mind as a result of the question and it says to me walk in the light.This world is ruled by darkness so by not conforming we are walking in the light.Also, we are called to renew our mind which also would be opposite to the world;therefore, i think that we would have more of a mind and life in line with Christ.
Verses 12-33 are awesome instructions for husbands and wives to live by. Really, if we as Christians abide by those verses we will have a happy future together as husband and wife. As for my own experience as young wife my husband and I were not Christians and that made those verses hard to abide by. My husband was a controlling and demanding to say the least. I found myself not listening or not being the wife my husband needed me to be. After 14 hard years of marriage we began to serve the Lord and became Christians. We have been married 26 years. If we would have only started our marriage as Christians and aboded by Ephesians 5:12-33 as we do now we could have spared each other a lot of heartache.