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Walking as Imitators of God Eph. 5:1-21 Speaker: Ben Daniel
Additional Scriptures:
John 1:1-5; Acts 13:2-3; Ephesians 4
Key Insights
When you sit down for a meal at a French restaurant, you’d be surprised if the server brought chips and salsa to your table.
Some things just don’t fit.
It’s the same with believers. In this passage, Paul shows us what it means to imitate God—to reflect what is fitting for us as His followers. His character is reproduced in us when we spend time with Him.
He uses the analogy of walking (not running, not rushing, not plowing through life rigorously, but in a continual, natural cadence with Him) and threads the battle of light vs darkness through his encouragement.
Walk in Love – vv 2-7
-Love is a fruit of, and a work of, the Spirit.
-Paul spends several verses showing what real love is NOT, such as sexual immorality, negative words, crude joking (i.e., hurtful sarcasm), greed, etc. These do not demonstrate God’s love.
-Paul warns that indulging in these things can affect our benefits in Him (it’s not about losing salvation).
Walk in Light vv 8-14
-Jesus enlightens every person, although not everyone will accept Him.
-In the presence of Jesus, everything is seen for what it is.
-If everything you do and spend time on were displayed for all to see, how would you feel about it?
-Jesus is moving among others – we are seeing an increased interest in authentic faith.
-The way we contend in the light is together.
This could include calling out darkness if God leads us to. We don’t need to go looking for it, but there are times to speak the truth in love. It can be uncomfortable to do the right thing.
-Try to discern what pleases God and what He is nudging us to do. Sometimes He speaks through the community.
As we tune in more and more, we will understand more and more how God is leading us.
Walk in Wisdom vv 15-21
-Wisdom = experience, knowledge, and sound judgment rather than excessive interest in sensual pleasures
-Wisdom should be integral in every part of our lives: worship, relationships, work, etc.
-Walking in wisdom is a form of worship. Worship is a form of wisdom.
Who: all believers
What: to imitate God
How: walking in love, light, and wisdom
Where: in all areas of our lives
When: all the time
Why: to put Him on display!
Reflection Prompters / Suggested Homework
List all the negative things in this passage that reflect a lack of love, light, and wisdom. Does your life reflect any of these?
List all the positive things in this passage that reflect a closeness to God and a walk of love, light, and wisdom. Does your light reflect any of these?
What specific attitudes or behaviors in your life might not “fit” with your identity as a follower of God, and how can walking in love help realign them?
(Reflect on Paul’s contrast between godly love and actions like hurtful speech or greed.)
What areas of your life might need to be brought into the light of Christ, and how can you invite His truth and grace into them? (Think about the idea that “everything exposed by the light becomes visible.”)
In what practical ways can you walk in wisdom this week—at home, work, or in your relationships—to reflect God’s character more clearly? (Consider wisdom as a lifestyle of worship and discernment, not just knowledge.)
