#1469. Understand what the Lord’s will is (10/3/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

Let’s learn from Ephesians 5:17 how we can keep standing firm in these evil days. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

We are constantly hearing stories of church leaders who fall into sin or drift into false teaching. Many of us can think of friends or family who have abandoned their faith — or reshaped it into something unrecognisable.

How do we remain steady?

Paul teaches us that understanding the nature of the battle, and clothing ourselves with the knowledge of God’s will, keeps us standing strong.

1. Do not be foolish

Paul’s ‘therefore’ connects this verse to what he has just said: ‘the days are evil.’ Because the days are evil, we must put off foolishness and put on wisdom by understanding and obeying God’s will.

But do we truly believe the days are evil?

Do we recognise the reality of spiritual opposition? Do we take seriously the presence of demonic deception and dark influences at work in the world - and around us? Or do we reduce every struggle, every temptation, and every drift of heart to merely ‘natural causes’?

If we are casual about the battle, we will be careless in the fight.

We must be spiritually alert if we are to stand firm in the daily battles we face.

2. Understand the Lord’s will

How do we stand firm against temptation and spiritual attack? There is much that could be said - and Ephesians 6 will later unfold the armour of God in greater detail.

But here Paul gives us a foundational safeguard: put off foolishness by understanding and doing the Lord’s will.

So how do we grow in understanding His will?

First, humility.We must begin with the posture:“I am prone to foolishness. I need Your wisdom. Lord, teach me.”

Second, meditative reading of Scripture.Not rushed reading, but reflective, prayerful listening - ready to understand, ready to repent, ready to obey when He speaks.

Third, receiving the gift of teaching.God has placed teachers in the body of Christ. We are not meant to stand alone. Sitting under faithful teaching guards us from private distortions and strengthens our discernment.

Understanding God’s will is done in fellowship. 

Fourth, a word to parents and children.

God’s design for the family is that children learn from their parents. Parents are the primary educators. Parents must avoid foolishness and pursue God’s wisdom and then seek to pass this on. This takes prayer and planning. 

Response

• Do we truly believe that ‘the days are evil’? Are we alert to demonic lies and subtle temptations in our own lives?

• Are we reducing foolish inputs - empty entertainment, trivial distractions, shaping influences that dull our spiritual appetite?

• Are we intentionally filling our minds with what helps us understand and obey the Lord’s will?

In evil days, wisdom is not optional - it is essential.And wisdom begins with understanding what the Lord desires and choosing to walk in it.

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Please ensure that everyone is aware and is signed up to our 50-hours of prayer that is starting on 11th March. Here’s the link to get the app:

https://my.jovoapp.com/invitation/?t=aW52aXRhdGlvbjoxMzA1ODpzX2tGTnN4eVNHcnZnZlJ1ZjN6WEhRTHVsVHc%3D

2. Icebreaker

Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our new series entitled: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

Please read Ephesians 5:15-20 and discuss:

• Personal Reflection – From Sunday’s message and this passage, what stood out to you? Was there anything the Spirit particularly impressed on your heart?

• Get wisdom - How do we get wisdom and why is it important to get it?

• God’s wisdom is to our being under the right influence - Why does God put drunkenness and being filled with the Spirit side-by-side?

• Wisdom with Alcohol - Alcohol is a good gift, but when would you say that it’s become a problem? 

• Be filled - How can one apply this command to ‘go on being filled with the Holy Spirit’? 

• Psalms Hymns… - How, according to our text is worship related to the work of the Holy Spirit?

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• SIV - From our text, what can we learn about how God’s wisdom and being filled lead to our becoming a light in our community?  

• Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Let’s Pray Together

Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?