Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
Summary: Looking back in time we find a real-life example of what Paul is talking about in this passage. Thinking about Paul’s words in the light of the Old Testament helps us understand what he was trying to say.
There is a story in the Old Testament that illustrates today’s passage well. The second chapter of Exodus tells the story of the birth of Moses. (Exodus 2:1-10)
At that time in history, the children of Abraham were known as “Hebrews” and had lived in Egypt for about four hundred years. During those years, they went from being honored guests where one of their own ruled Egypt to slave labor. As slaves, they were a valuable resource. They were also a political threat because there were so many of them.
Just before Moses was born, Pharaoh had decided to deal with the “threat” by forcing the Israelites to kill their children. The way they were to do this was by throwing the male babies into the Nile River.
Moses’ mother knew she had to obey the law, but she was unwilling to kill her son, so she did a clever thing. She constructed a tiny boat out of a basket and put her child in the boat. Then she floated the child on the water to see what would happen.
The image of an infant floating on the water in a basket is what Paul describes in today’s passage. The baby has no control over where the basket is going or what happens to it. Every little wave tosses the basket around like a leaf. Every gust of wind, no matter how slight, blows the basket “here and there.”
Paul likens these winds to the teachings of cunning and crafty people. But instead of using their cunning and craftiness for good, these winds are the result of “deceitful scheming.”
Who are these people, why are they deceitful, and what are they scheming about?
Paul doesn’t spend time telling us about them in this letter. If you want to know who he is talking about, read Romans 1: 21-32. Here, in his letter to Ephesus, he simply refers to “the ways of this world.” (Ephesians 2:2)
For now, it is enough to know what Paul is concerned about. He wants those of us who believe in Jesus to take control of our lives. Instead of allowing little waves and winds to control the direction of our lives, we are to exert effort to be like Jesus.
If Jesus were a boat, he would be one that never varied off course. His boat has a keel that keeps him on course and a rudder to steer by. Instead of being blown around by the wind, the sails of his boat take the wind captive and use its power to do God’s will. And that is what he did; his Father’s will.
Application: Be like Jesus!
Food for Thought: What are some ways we can “take control” of our lives?
What are some ways we can “take control” of our lives?
I really don’t believe you can. The only “control” you have is in your decisions (taking captive your thoughts; 2 Corinthians 10:5). Even then you have no control of the reason the decisions need to be made, and no real control of the full outcome. This is where trusting the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit become vital; the application of “all things work together for good to them that love God”(Romans 8:28).
“Jesus take the wheel!” Isn’t that what people say? I don’t like that one. I know what it is supposed to represent. To me though it represents dismissing one’s part it the process. “Jesus be my GPS!” That one I can apply to my life. I can’t control the potholes, construction delays, or road signs…I’m just going to have to deal with those. Those are in themselves decisions as well (talk about recursion!). But I trust that Jesus is going to guide me to the destination. I trust that if I follow His directions, and He put me on that road, then the potholes, construction delays, or road signs are there for His purpose in me.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
I like this verse because it speaks to decision, application, motivation, and consequence. They are ever present in my life. The only peace I can get from them is looking at them from an eternal standpoint. beyond that there is no lasting hope.
Chris,
As I read through your comment today I found myself wondering what you meant by “control.” A person can control the rudder of a sailboat without being able to control what the boat actually does in response.
If I understand you correctly, I agree that only God can guarantee the outcome.
06-30-2022, What are some ways we can “take control” of our lives?
Flesh-control is both something we make an effort for and something we receive. It is given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not exercised by Him for us, and not exercised by us without Him.
The way to lead a life worthy of our calling is to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:3
Biblical self-control means choosing to give up trying to control things on our own, surrendering to God for His power. Calling on Him to provide the power we will exercise to bring change into our hearts desires as we turn from living in the power of our flesh, to LIVING in the power of the Spirit.
As Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it”
Matthew 16:24-25.
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness,”
2 Peter 1:5-6.
Ron,
Interesting! I like your point about needing the will to try and needing the Holy Spirit to have the will.
Thank you!
I have always found James 3: 1 – 18 interesting. It tells us basically to control our tongue as the tongue wields monumental influence. The very next passage in context tells us to rely on godly wisdom. The fruit if the godly wisdom demonstrates a tongue under control of the Holy Spirit. And of course what comes out of our mouth shows what is in our heart (including what is in our mind).
We were told in James 1 that if we ask for this wisdom in faith that we will receive it.
So we give up control to God and He grants us His wisdom to produce good fruit in what we say and do (see also James 2: 14 – 26 in how our actions apply).
In other words, we need to be under the influence to live our lives to God’s glory. Under the influence and direction of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5: 16 – 26)
Thank you, Rich!
There is a theme in the comments today; the interaction between the Holy Spirit and our own will and how they cooperate to determine the course of events in our lives.