Ephesians 4:13-14

PASSAGE: Ephesians 4:13-14 - "...until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."

PAUSE: If you've ever been on a boat before, you know what it feels like to sway back and forth with the waves hitting the boat. Especially when the boat isn't moving, you can feel the movement of the water all around you, rocking the boat back and forth. If you've ever been with children on a boat, you know that they find it even more difficult to keep their balance. As adults, we can still feel the waves, but we've grown and strengthened to the point that we can keep our balance. The Apostle Paul uses this analogy to relate to the influence that our surroundings have in the things we believe. The people we listen to, the culture we live in, the schemes of the enemy--all of these things surround us and crash like waves against us, attempting to sway us in that direction. So how do we protect ourselves from swaying with the lies? We need to grow and mature in sound doctrine! The end result of being shaped and equipped by sound theology is that we are able to discern truth from error and we are able to live out that truth to the glory of God. You may still feel the waves around you, but you'll be able to stand firm and keep your balance!

PRAYER: Lord, I do not want to be a spiritual child. Shape me by Your true Word that I might become the woman or man of God You saved me to be.  Amen.