Out of the World's Sway, Into the Way of Christ | Jesus Smart 180, Ep. 386

There's a current running through this world, and if you're not intentional, it will carry you. Scripture calls it "the course of this world" and says the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. But the early believers had a different name: six times in Acts, they're called the Way. Drawing on Ephesians 2, 1 John 5:19 and Acts 19:23, this episode contrasts the Sway with the Way and gives four simple ways to keep walking against the current. (This is a Jesus Smart 180 short-form ep.)

See the full episode transcript below.

----------

See the full episode transcript below.

👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/386

👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcast

If this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.

Be sure to follow the podcast. Each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.

Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com/smartedit.

----------

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Out of the World's Sway, Into the Way of Christ

Jesus Smart 180. Three minutes. One turnaround.

This past Sunday morning, I was in church with my wife and one of our daughters, listening to a sermon on Ephesians 2:1-10. One phrase really jumped out at me in verse 2: walking "according to the course of this world." Paul reminds us that we once did that.

The word world is kosmos. Here it's more than the planet. It's not the earth itself. It's the world system, with its values, pressures, and flow. And John tells us where that flow comes from in 1 John 5:19: "The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one."

It's a current moving through culture, through the media, even through our own thoughts and old patterns of thinking. If you're not intentional, that Sway will carry you.

From the Sway to the Way

But look at Ephesians 2:10. We are God's workmanship, "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Are we seeing this? In verse 2, we once walked in the Sway, according to the course of this world. In verse 10, we now walk in the Way. That's the turnaround. We are the workmanship of the Lord.

What do we mean by the Way? First-century believers were known by that name. Six times in the Book of Acts, they're called the Way. You can see all six in the show notes at JesusSmart.com/386. My favorite is Acts 19:23, which happened in the city of Ephesus: "And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way."

Of course there was a commotion. Why? Because the Way goes against the grain of the Sway. It always has. It still does, and it will until the new heavens and new earth, where there's no more Sway.

Staying in the Way

So how do we stay in the Way? It's simple, and you probably know these things. Obey the Word, even when it's costly. Obedience keeps your feet on the path of the Way. Stay current in prayer. Stay prayed up. Walk with others who are in the Way. Nobody was meant to swim upstream alone. And be led by the Holy Spirit, who always moves against the current of this age.

Let's pray together. "Father God, we thank you for rescuing us from the course of this world. Holy Spirit, lead us today. Keep us steady in your Word, faithful and current in prayer, alert and connected to your people. In Jesus' name. Amen."

Declare it with me: "I am not under the Sway of evil. I am in the Way of Christ. I walk in the good works God has prepared for me to experience."

Thanks for listening to Jesus Smart 180. Your move. Visit JesusSmart.com for show notes and more.

Scripture referenced: Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 John 5:19; Acts 19:23 (NKJV)

"The Way" in Acts: Acts 9:2; 19:9; 19:23; 22:4; 24:14; 24:22