The Heavenly Walk

Because it is popular, it doesn't make it right. Because everybody else we know happens to do it doesn't mean we ought to be doing it. Dr. Tony Evans says when culture becomes your compass, you lose your direction. If you look too much like the culture, that means you don't look enough like Christ.

This is the alternative broadcast, featuring the timeless biblical teachings from the archives of Dr. Tony Evans. You can't walk in two directions at once, and the same is true spiritually. Today, Dr. Evans calls us to leave behind our old way of living and step into the new identity we've been given in Christ.

Let's listen as he takes us to Ephesians chapter 4 to explain what it means to walk the heavenly walk. There are four thoughts that I want to bring out of verses 17 through verse 32. The first One is recorded for us in verse 17, and that is the contrast of the Christian walk. Our focus is on the Christian walk, and you'll see why. Here in verse 17, he says, this I say, therefore.

and testify in the Lord that you walk no longer as the Gentiles walk. in the futility of their mind. The first thing he wants you to do is have a contrasting walk. That is, if you're going to be heavenly in your walk, then it must be contrasting. The walk of the world or as he says, the walk of the Gentiles.

Now, the phrase walking like the Gentiles. Was a reference to walking like those who are outside of Christ. The euphemism walk. Means conduct. how you carry yourself, what you do versus what you don't do.

It has to do with the direction of your spiritual life. He says that now that you are in Christ, That you are no longer to Conduct. Or act like the mass of humanity that surrounds you. Because it is popular, it doesn't make it right. Because everybody else we know happens to do it doesn't mean we ought to be doing it.

That God has a different standard for his church and for his children.

So, We are to march out of step. to the world because we are listening to a different drummer. Paul puts it this way in Romans 12, 2. Be not conformed to this world. Don't let the world squeeze you, mold you, shape you, arrange you into its mold.

You know, it was used of a potter who took a piece of clay and molded it into a cup or a saucer or a plate or a bowl. In other words, he took this glob of clay and reshaped it into the image he wanted it to be.

Well, the walk of the Gentiles is the popular image of the culture. In fact. If you look too much like the culture, that means you don't look enough like Christ. Yeah. Because the more you look like culture and the more secular culture becomes, the more out of step you will seem to be.

Secondly, The control of the Christian walk. Not only is there a contrast, But there is a control factor. Why do the Gentiles walk the way they walk? And why should we walk the way we walk? Verse 18 says, having their understanding darkened.

The second half says, through the ignorance, That is in them. Notice verse 20. But you have not so learned Christ, now talking to Christians, and then notice verse 23, and that you put on the new man which is created in righteousness and true holiness, and be renewed in the spirit of your what? Mind.

So he uses phrases like understanding, ignorance, learned, and mind.

Now, what's the common denominator of all that? You're thinking. You're thinking. You see, your lifestyle is not controlled by your lifestyle. Your lifestyle is controlled by your brain.

As a man thinks, so is he. He says that the unrighteous walk the way they walk because they think the way they think.

Well, how do they think?

Well, he says, first of all, in verse 18, They have a darkened understanding. They are living in a spiritual fog where they cannot perceive things very clearly. And so he calls this a darkened understanding. He goes on and he says they are alienated from the life of God. Verse 18.

That is why, because they do not have the life of God, they have no divine perspective. But in the same control factor where they're thinking It's affecting them. He makes the contrast with our control factor, which affects us. He says in verse 20, but you have not so learned Christ. But what do you do?

You learn in the mind that you're thinking. If so be that you have heard him, have been taught by him, as truth is in Jesus. You have this new spiritual capacity for learning, spiritual phenomenon that the non-believer does not have. It is possible to grow in your religious knowledge and decline in your spiritual experience. To learn Christ is not only to get more information, although it includes that.

To learn Christ means to heighten a relationship. If in fact you want to come to know Christ better, you have to be committed to truth.

Now let me tell you what that also means. Unlike the Gentiles, the unredeemed. Mm. Focus on their feelings. That's when the Bible uses sensuality.

The feel. The unregenerate want to feel it. God never denies feelings. Feelings are an important part of our human composition. But feelings are to always be subjected to revelation.

We said it again. Truth is in Jesus. Let me define truth so we on the same page. Truth means an absolute objective standard by which reality is measured. That's truth.

An absolute, non-negotiable, objective. It sits outside of myself. It's true when I like it, it's true when I don't like it. It's true when I feel it, it's true when I don't feel it. It's true because it's true.

It's an objective standard, an absolute objective standard by which what is real is measured. It cuts between good, bad. False, true, positive, negative. It is an objective standard. Truth is in Jesus.

Now, Jesus had no problem with this because he'd jump out in a minute and say, I am the way, the truth. And the life, no man comes to the father but by me. Period. Any questions? He was not only knowledgeable about truth.

He lays out a claim that's astronomical. He says, I am truth. And that's why there is no middle ground with Christ. See you this good man stuff won't work He was a great prophet. Oh, no, no, no.

No, no, no. Because if he was a great prophet, he was a liar. Because he says, told the rich young ruler, don't call me good. There's none good but God.

So either I'm no good or I'm God. But don't call me good. That's a demotion. I'm either God or I'm like every other man, sinful.

So, don't call me good. See, to call Jesus good is not a compliment, it's an insult. You just devalued him. He's claiming deity.

So that's no compliment to Jesus to say he's a great prophet, a good man, and a nice example.

Well, he is all those things, but he's all those things because of... Who he is in his uniqueness, in the uniqueness of his person, and that is, he's the God-man. And so he claims to be truth. The non-negotiable truth Look at 1 John 5, verse 20. And we know that the Son of God is come.

And hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true, know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God. and eternal life. The better you know Christ, the better you'll make sense of truth. And the less you know Christ, You may have more information.

But you'll be ever learning and never coming into the knowledge of the truth. Because the truth is tied to a person. Intimacy with Christ means depth in truth. A reliable standard. By which reality is measured.

So, Christ is the subject, the source, and the sphere of knowledge. That means, in living our Christian life, you know, they wear these wristbands today, the kids do. What would Jesus do?

Well, this passage would say a question you and I should ask is What would Jesus think? Because he as a man thinks. See, I can ask myself, what would Jesus do? But that doesn't help me. If I'm not thinking like Jesus thinks.

See, if I'm not thinking like he thinks, then I have two problems. One, I may not come up with the right conclusion about what he would do. Or if I come out with the right conclusion about what it would do. I would not have the power necessarily to do what he would do. Because I'm not thinking like he thought.

And like he thought was, I've come to do my father's will. He thought in terms of his relationship with his father. And because he had this relationship with his father, he could do what he did. Out of our relationship with him, we can do what we ought to do. Paul can say, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me because that's how we thought.

But when you and I say, well, I can't do this even though Christ wants me to do it, that's because that's how we think. See? He says, you haven't learned Christ yet. Yeah, you may quote the verse, but you haven't learned the person. You see?

It's intimacy with the person that produces this. Real transformation doesn't come from just knowing about Christ. It comes from walking with Him. Dr. Evans will show us how to renew our thinking when he returns in just a moment.

First, though, I want to tell you about Tony's popular book, Kingdom Living. It's a powerful guide to spiritual growth that can help you develop a deeper relationship with God and discover how to live out your identity in Christ every day. It's full of practical insights on how to overcome temptation, grow in grace, and experience real transformation right where you are. And for a limited time, we'll send Kingdom Living to you as a thank-you gift when you support Dr. Evans' ministry with a contribution.

In addition, we'll also include all 16 messages from his current audio series, Ordinary Holy, Finding God in the Mundane. It's available on CD or USB and as instant digital downloads. Everything you need to revisit and share these life-changing truths from the book of Ephesians. Call us at 1-800-800-3220. And let us know we can count on your help.

Or make your donation and request this special double offer online at tonyevans.org. I'll repeat our contact information after part 2 of today's message. Let's join Dr. Evans again as he digs into the heavenly walk as outlined in Ephesians chapter 4.

So The control center is the mind, our thinking. Thirdly, The clothing for the Christian walk. Gotta dress for success. God wants us to wear to wear our lifestyle. Yes.

Verse 22, that you put off concerning the former manner of life, the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lust. Verse 24, and you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. When you were saved, you got a new wardrobe. The tense here is an accomplished act. He's talking about something that occurred.

What occurred is An old wardrobe was discarded. and a new wardrobe was received. This deals with your position in Christ. When you were saved, you and I became a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Any man be in Christ, he's a new creation, he's a new creature, all things passed away. All things become new.

Something cataclysmic happened at conversion, and that is you received a new nature, a brand new suit of clothes. A new nature.

Now. The problem is, theologically... If I receive this new nature, how come I'm still having problems with these old habits, desires, old things I used to do? Why is this? Turn your Bible to Romans chapter 7.

Romans chapter 7. This great passage. Is really the clearest explanation for the tension that exists. between the new you and your new wardrobe. And yet so often you still looking like the old clothes.

Paul had the same struggle. Verse 15, for that which I do, I understand not. For what I would, that do I not, but what I hate, that I do. In other words, stuff I hate to do, I find myself doing sometimes. If then I don't do the things that I would not, I consent that the law is good because I don't want to do it.

So I'm saying if there's something I don't want to do, there's something wrong with it.

So the law, where God said something wrong with it, is good.

Now then, it is no more I that do it. but sin that dwelleth in me.

Now there it is right there. She It may not be quickly apparent, but there it is right there. Yeah. He raises the possibility that you could do things wrong without it being you who is happening to do it. He says, it is no longer when I do the things I hate to do, but I do it anyway, it is no longer I who did it.

The question is, how can that be? How can it no longer be I who did it? Because when you came to Christ, you got a new I. That is. A new nature was deposited within you.

It didn't change your personality in terms of changing your soul. You're still the same person. But the essence of your being was totally reconfigured or totally transformed by Jesus Christ.

Well, wait a minute then. If then I was transformed by Christ. When my hand wants to touch, when my mouth wants to say, when my brain wants to think things that are not pleasing to God, if it's not the I who did it, who in the world did it? The only person living in me is me.

Well He tells you, because he says in verse 17, but sin that dwells in me. In other words, The new you, the converted you. Was placed inside of the old shell. Your body. Your body is the old body.

God did nothing to your body when you got saved. There was nothing that took place to your body. Why? Because the old you that used to live in the old shell. contaminated the body.

You see, the old you that was full of sin, the Gentiles, Totally completely contaminated your body. Your body is totally so contaminated that in order for you to get to heaven, Jesus has got to give you a new body.

So, you gotta dress for success by having the clothing of the new life. That leads to finally the conduct of Christian Walk. What does it mean to look like Christ? He names five things back in Ephesians. Chapter 4.

That is reflective of a person who has put on. And remember, the key between taking off verse 22 and putting on verse 24 is renewing your mind, verse 23. The conduct of the Christian walk. First of all, he says, stop lying. That's what he said.

Why should you not lie? He says in verse 25, because we're members of one another. He says, we need each other here. This is a family issue. Secondly, control your anger.

Control your anger. It's not wrong to be angry. It's not wrong to have anger. It is wrong for anger to have you. To be angry at sin is righteousness.

God is angry with the wicked every day. Jesus turned over the tables in the temple, John 2, because of his anger at their unrighteousness. But let not the sun go down on your wrath.

Now you know what wrath is? Wrath is anger going public. Anger becomes a spark and Satan uses it to light a fire. That's why he says in verse 27, don't give a place for the devil. Because the devil likes to see you mad.

Because it can get you mad enough. It'll get you to say something you regret, do something that you regret, and wish you didn't do it. Many people are in prison today because they killed somebody because they got angry. Thirdly. Stop stealing.

Because if you steal, that means you gotta hurt somebody else, right? He's not just talking about you. He's talking about other people. Stop stealing. Pencils from the office.

Paper from the office. I'm from the boss. Stop stealing, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the things which is good. Why? Why work?

Just so I can have money in my pocket? No, so you can have enough money in your pocket that you can give to him that needs. See, to conduct yourself as the Gentile is to be selfish. To conduct yourself as a believer is to be a giving person so that you are able, see, and that's the problem of debt. Debt never, if you live in debt, then you can never fulfill your biblical purpose toward others because you're always paying for stuff you spent on you.

Fourthly, Watch how you talk! Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. Stop cussing. Slander, gossip. Dirty jokes.

He says, stop it, but that which is good and edifies, the Greek word edify means to build up. In other words, does this word help or hurt? If it hurts, why am I saying it? Finally. Remove the vices.

31, 32. Bitterness. An attitude of resentfulness, wrath. That explosion of anger, anger, that ongoing seething within, clamor. He says.

That's shouting and screaming and Evil speaking, putting down, put away from you with all malice, ill will. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. Why? Even as God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you. He's got the whole Trinity in this passage.

Don't grieve the Holy Spirit. Jesus died for you and God forgave you. The whole Trinity is involved in this. New wardrobe that you have. Create a new atmosphere for your own spiritual brother.

Dr. Tony Evans, calling us to live in a way that honors the one who made forgiveness possible. And he'll come back to wrap up this message on the heavenly walk in just a moment. Before he does, though, don't forget to request your copy of his current 16-part series on the book of Ephesians called Ordinary Holy. It includes the full-length versions of all the messages in this series, including a couple that you won't be able to hear on the broadcast.

And we're adding a special bonus gift to go along with the series, Dr. Evans' powerful book, Kingdom Living. Receive this entire package with our thanks when you make a donation to help keep Tony's teaching on this station. Get all the details and make your request online at tonyevans.org before this limited-time offer runs out. Again, that's tonyevans.org, or call our 24-hour resource request line.

at 1-800-800-3222 and let one of our team members assist you. That's 1-800-800-3222. Children naturally imitate the adults they look up to, and spiritually the same should be true for us. Tomorrow, Dr. Evans explains what it looks like to reflect our Heavenly Father in the way we live, the way we love others, and the way we make our everyday decisions.

Right now, though, he's back to wrap up today's message with this closing observation. One of the great Demonstrations of nature is when a Caterpillar becomes a butterfly. And that old shell, it's slimy. And slow. And I really don't see a lot of people.

going caterpillar collecting. Most people see caterpillars and squash them. They're viewed as empty and vain and futile and Meaningless. But then one day it is converted. And sitting on the side of the tree on the bark.

A transformation occurs and it cocoons, and a new life, a new life. emerges. But a struggle ensues. Because that new life wants to break from that old shell. That old shell that's been in control all this time.

But as that butterfly grows.

Okay. The influence of the shell shrinks. And the power of the wings. Take over. And out comes something totally.

different. This is something you want to hold. This is something you want to collect. This is something that you ooh and ah at. Look at how pretty that is.

God has put a new you in an old body. But he wants it to grow and get bigger and bigger and bigger.

so that instead of the old you telling it what to do, the new you. Tell the old flesh what to do. Because you have been Converted.