WEDNESDAY NIGHT
BIBLE STUDY
WITH BISHOP SHERMAN J. BUTLER, SR.
*Midweek Bible Class Notes: Updated
MARCH 12, 2025
WALKING CIRCUMSPECTLY
BISHOP SHERMAN J. BUTLER SR.
SEEK THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, FIRST!
All the things that we desire, and need of the LORD, HE said he will give it to us – if we seek FIRST the KINGDOM of HEAVEN: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33, KJV). So, one of the things we want to do is BE RIGHTEOUS. We want to be HOLY. Be unblamed. We bind every evil spirit that comes against us in the name of JESUS. No matter how long you have been saved, ask the LORD to continue to wash and deliver you.
ASK THE LORD GOD TO WASH AND DELIVER YOU.
No matter what comes in our life, ask GOD to forgive us, wash us, save us, and wash our minds. Because so many things can get into our minds. Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) states, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he […]” We want to stop thinking negatively. Philippians 4:8 (KJV) instructs us accordingly, “[…] whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” And this is leading us into our lesson, today.
DON’T LET SIN BE NAMED AMONG YOU!
Ephesians 5:3 (KJV) forewarns, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;” Meaning after you are saved, it should not be that you’re still fornicating. People should not have to say, “Yes, they may be ‘saved’, but they’re still fornicating… or talking unclean … or other sins” IT SHOULD NOT BE!
BE CAUTIOUS JESTING AND JOKING – TOO MUCH.
Ephesians 5:4 (KJV), “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” This is one thing that we as people of GOD have to be careful of – joking, jesting, or being comedic ALL THE TIME. It is okay to smile and laugh a bit, BUT you must know when to stop. You are playing too much and too hard. You have to know when enough is enough.
DON’T TAKE PART IN SIN!
Mark the words of Ephesians 5:5-6 (KJV), “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Say no to uncleanliness, whoremongering idolatry, covetousness.
Don’t be deceived. Don’t take part in it! You wonder sometimes why the WRATH OF GOD is upon us – it’s because of these things! Don’t be the children of disobedience. Don’t do “these things”.
Ephesians 5:7 (KJV) advises, “Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”
DON’T TAKE PART IN SIN!
DON’T BE UNEQUALLY YOKED! COME OUT!
Be careful who you associate with. 2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV) states, ” Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Light and darkness cannot mix. 2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV) advises us on this matter: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” These are some of the things that you must be VERY CAREFUL and VERY PRAYERFUL about not falling prey to.
WALK IN THE LIGHT – BEAUTIFUL LIGHT.
Ephesians 5:8 (KJV) instructs us on how to live – to walk in the light: “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” This scripture is talking about making it into the KINGDOM. We’re talking about being in a place with GOD. Being more like CHRIST. Walking and talking like CHRIST. Walking in the LIGHT. Being CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT. This is a situation where we have to be careful and examine the company we are keeping. We have to act and be in the Spirit of CHRIST, if we want to be more like CHRIST. We need to walk as children of the LIGHT.
WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY – REDEEMING THE TIMES BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL.
Ephesians 5:9-17 (KJV), “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 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.”
All of these readings will help us understand the meaning of walking circumspectly with the LORD. It is very important that we understand how we are supposed to walk and live, in the presence of the LORD. Be very careful because we are in the flesh – and flesh and blood – and the enemy does come in. The enemy is the “prince and power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2-3, KJV).
The devil wants to destroy you. He wants to find an angle to get into your life. He is constantly roaming, searching, and looking around you to find a way in – even prompting you to get frustrated, angry, and confused. Those are avenues and opportunities for Satan to come in. He is going to and fro seeing whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) WARNS US OF THIS, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
BUT we have to STAY PRAYERFUL. WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY. This means to live and walk carefully, cautiously, in a way that is pleasing to GOD. Be careful in your walk. Careful in your talk. Careful in your action. Even careful in your thinking and thought process, because so as you think in your heart so are you! We have to be careful on every avenue in our life. The problem with jesting is that you may say something that is false or hurt someone’s feelings. BE CAREFUL how you walk with the LORD.
Yes, Romans 3:23 (KJV) notes, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
BUT We must pray, “LORD, whatever I am doing unrighteously please deliver me.”
BE CAREFUL and WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY. THE LORD IS WATCHING YOU
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3, KJV).
REFERENCE SCRIPTURES (KJV):
Ephesians 5, Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 23:7, Philippians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 6:14 and 17 …
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