Lesson 40: How to Walk Worthy of the Lord
The Christian life is repeatedly described as a walk.
A walk is not one isolated step.
It is a continuing direction.
It includes ordinary days, private choices, relationships, work, speech, desires, responsibilities, and responses to pressure.
A person may take one good step without maintaining a faithful walk.
He may obey in one area while resisting God in another.
He may appear serious about Christ publicly while protecting compromise privately.
Paul prayed for believers:
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,
being fruitful in every good work,
and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,
unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father…”
— Colossians 1:10–12, KJV
This passage describes a life brought into agreement with the Lord who called it.
Walk worthy.
Please Him.
Bear fruit.
Increase in knowing Him.
Depend upon His strength.
Continue patiently.
Give thanks.
This is not one moment of religious excitement.
It is a continuing manner of life.
What Does “Walk” Mean?
In Scripture, walking often describes the way a person lives.
It includes habitual direction rather than one occasional action.
Everyone is walking somewhere.
Every repeated choice forms part of a path.
The question is not merely:
“Have I ever obeyed God?”
It is:
“What direction is my life presently taking?”
A believer may stumble without abandoning the path.
He may need correction, confession, and restoration.
But his settled desire should be to continue with Christ rather than turn back toward the former life.
Romans says:
“…that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
— Romans 6:4, KJV
The new life must become a new walk.
What Does “Worthy” Mean?
Walking worthy of the Lord does not mean becoming worthy of salvation through personal merit.
No sinner purchases redemption by good conduct.
Jesus Christ alone saves.
Grace is not a wage earned by obedience.
To walk worthy means to live in a manner fitting the calling, grace, and Lord you have received.
Paul writes:
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you
that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”
— Ephesians 4:1, KJV
The calling comes first.
Then the believer is instructed to live consistently with it.
Suppose someone is entrusted with an honorable office. His conduct should agree with that responsibility.
In a far greater way, the believer bears the name of Jesus Christ.
His conduct should not continually contradict the Lord he confesses.
Worthy Conduct Does Not Repay Grace
The believer cannot repay the cross.
No number of good works can place God in his debt.
Obedience is not a payment offered in exchange for salvation.
It is the proper response of someone who has been saved, called, and claimed by God.
A child does not become part of a family by attempting to earn every meal.
Yet belonging to the family carries responsibilities, relationships, and a manner of conduct.
Likewise, the Christian does not obey in order to become his own saviour.
He obeys because Jesus Christ is his Saviour and Lord.
A worthy walk says:
“Because I belong to Christ, my life should increasingly agree with Him.”
God Has Called You Into His Kingdom
Paul urged believers:
“That ye would walk worthy of God,
who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”
— 1 Thessalonians 2:12, KJV
The believer has been called into God’s kingdom.
He no longer lives as though the present world were his final authority or reward.
His values, conduct, and purpose should reflect another kingdom.
The world may praise pride, selfish ambition, sensuality, retaliation, deception, and self-rule.
God’s kingdom calls for holiness, truth, mercy, righteousness, faithfulness, and obedience.
Ask:
“Does this choice agree with the kingdom into which I have been called?”
“Does this conduct reflect the King whose name I bear?”
Let Your Conduct Become the Gospel
Paul writes:
“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ…”
— Philippians 1:27, KJV
The word conversation refers to conduct or manner of life.
The gospel declares that Jesus Christ saves sinners, breaks the rule of sin, reconciles people to God, and gives new life.
The believer’s conduct should not deny that message.
A person may explain the gospel accurately while living in a way that causes others to question whether it has any transforming power.
This does not mean Christians must pretend to be perfect.
Honest confession may itself demonstrate the truth of the gospel.
But continual, defended hypocrisy brings dishonor.
Your life should become appropriate to the message you proclaim.
Walk to Please the Lord
Colossians describes a walk worthy of the Lord:
“…unto all pleasing…”
The central question becomes:
“What pleases the Lord?”
Many people organize life mainly around pleasing:
themselves;
family;
friends;
employers;
followers;
customers;
or society.
These relationships may carry legitimate responsibilities.
But none should replace God as the highest authority.
Paul told the Thessalonians:
“…as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God,
so ye would abound more and more.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:1, KJV
The believer should know how he ought to walk.
Then he should abound more and more.
Do not remain satisfied merely because you are doing better than before.
Continue learning what pleases God.
Pleasing God Is Not People-Pleasing
Trying to please God is not the same as anxiously attempting to keep every person happy.
People may demand contradictory things.
One person may want you to remain silent.
Another may want you to speak.
One may praise what another condemns.
A life controlled by human approval becomes unstable.
Walking worthy means that pleasing God remains the governing aim even when someone misunderstands or disapproves.
This does not permit rude disregard for people.
We should act lovingly, humbly, and responsibly.
But another person’s approval cannot become more authoritative than God’s will.
Ask:
“Am I choosing this because it pleases the Lord?”
“Or because I cannot bear someone’s disappointment?”
Prove What Pleases Him
Scripture says:
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord:
walk as children of light:
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.”
— Ephesians 5:8–10, KJV
Believers were once darkness.
Now they are light in the Lord.
Therefore, they must walk as children of light.
To prove what is acceptable means to examine and approve what pleases Him.
Do not make every decision through impulse.
Ask:
“What does Scripture reveal?”
“What motive is guiding me?”
“What fruit will this produce?”
“Can I do this openly before God?”
“Does this agree with goodness, righteousness, and truth?”
A worthy walk is thoughtful.
It does not drift wherever desire leads.
A Worthy Walk Includes the Whole Life
Walking worthy cannot be confined to church attendance, prayer, or Bible reading.
Those practices matter, but the Lord also governs:
business;
family;
money;
work;
rest;
entertainment;
speech;
sexual conduct;
private thoughts;
promises;
conflict;
and use of time.
Lessons 31–39 have examined several of these areas individually.
Lesson 40 brings them together.
Holiness without honesty is incomplete.
Purity without controlled speech is inconsistent.
Biblical knowledge without obedience does not form a worthy walk.
Public worship combined with private deceit does not please God.
The entire life belongs to the Lord.
Worthiness Requires Consistency
Consistency does not mean flawless performance.
It means that the same Lord governs every part of life.
A person should not maintain several separate identities:
one at church;
one at work;
one at home;
one online;
and one in complete privacy.
Different settings require different responsibilities, but they should not require a different moral character.
Psalm 101 says:
“I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way…
I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”
— Psalm 101:2, KJV
The household is where public appearances often disappear.
A person may appear patient before strangers while becoming harsh with family.
He may speak graciously at church while filling the home with criticism.
A worthy walk reaches the house.
Private Conduct Reveals the Walk
What you do when unobserved is part of your walk.
A person may protect his reputation without protecting holiness.
He may avoid visible scandal while feeding hidden sin.
But God sees the private life.
A worthy walk asks:
“Would I still choose this if another mature believer were present?”
“Am I relying upon secrecy?”
“Does my private life agree with my public confession?”
Private faithfulness may never receive public recognition.
It still matters eternally because it is lived before God.
A Worthy Walk Bears Fruit
Colossians says:
“…being fruitful in every good work…”
The Christian life is not defined only by what has been rejected.
Lessons 31–39 have taught separation from sin.
But holiness also produces positive usefulness.
The believer should do good.
Serve.
Help.
Encourage.
Fulfil responsibilities.
Care for people.
Use resources faithfully.
Stand for truth.
A tree is not praised merely because it avoids poisonous fruit.
It should bear good fruit.
A worthy walk asks:
“What good is my life presently producing?”
Good Works Must Flow From the Right Foundation
Good works do not purchase salvation.
Neither should they be dismissed as unimportant.
They reveal faith in action.
They benefit others.
They honor God.
They make visible the truth a believer confesses.
But good works can be corrupted by motives such as recognition, control, pride, or fear.
Therefore, examine both the work and the reason.
“Am I doing this before the Lord?”
“Would I continue if no one praised me?”
“Am I helping—or building a reputation for being helpful?”
Later lessons will address service, gifts, humility, and fruitfulness more fully.
The responsibility here is to become fruitful rather than spiritually idle.
Let Conduct Adorn Doctrine
Paul instructed servants to live faithfully:
“…that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”
— Titus 2:10, KJV
To adorn something is to make its beauty visible.
A believer does not improve the truth of God’s doctrine.
God’s truth is already perfect.
But faithful conduct can display its beauty.
Honesty makes truth attractive.
Patience under pressure displays trust in God.
Sexual purity shows that obedience is more valuable than immediate desire.
Controlled speech displays grace.
Refusing bitterness displays the power of mercy.
When conduct agrees with doctrine, the teaching is adorned.
When conduct contradicts doctrine, people may use the contradiction as an excuse to reject what is true.
Increase in the Knowledge of God
Colossians continues:
“…and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
A worthy walk does not remain spiritually stationary.
The believer should increasingly know God.
This knowledge includes biblical truth about His character, will, works, and ways.
It also includes growing familiarity through obedience, prayer, worship, and daily dependence.
The more accurately you know God, the less easily the world’s false descriptions will control you.
You learn that He is holy.
Faithful.
Wise.
Just.
Merciful.
Worthy of trust.
A worthy walk continues learning.
Do not assume that years in church automatically mean increasing knowledge of God.
Ask whether your understanding and obedience are actually growing.
Knowledge and Conduct Must Remain Together
Knowledge without obedience can produce pride.
Conduct without truth can become misdirected zeal.
The worthy walk joins both.
Learn what pleases God.
Then practice it.
Practice what Scripture teaches.
Then continue increasing in understanding.
A person should not say:
“I already know that,”
when the truth is not visible in his life.
Knowing a verse is not the same as submitting to it.
Neither should someone despise doctrine and say:
“I only need to be a good person.”
Without truth, sincerity can be guided in the wrong direction.
Walk in knowledge and obedience together.
A Worthy Walk Depends Upon God’s Strength
Colossians says:
“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power…”
The Christian life cannot be sustained through human strength alone.
A person may produce temporary outward reform through fear, pressure, or determination.
But lasting faithfulness requires God’s help.
This lesson will not take over the coming teaching about the Holy Ghost, walking in the Spirit, or overcoming the flesh.
Series 5 will address those truths fully.
The foundation here is dependence.
The believer should not say:
“I understand what to do, so I no longer need God.”
Every act of obedience requires grace, strength, wisdom, and continued reliance upon Him.
Strength Is Needed for Patient Continuance
Paul connects God’s power with:
“…all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”
We sometimes imagine spiritual strength mainly as dramatic victory.
But God’s power is also needed to continue patiently.
To keep obeying when results are slow.
To remain faithful when others do not notice.
To endure inconvenience without becoming bitter.
To keep doing good after initial excitement fades.
Later lessons will address trials, patience, and endurance in depth.
Here, recognize that a worthy walk must continue.
A strong beginning is not enough.
Give Thanks While You Walk
Colossians adds:
“Giving thanks unto the Father…”
Gratitude protects the worthy walk from pride and resentment.
Pride says:
“Look at everything I have accomplished.”
Thanksgiving says:
“God has shown mercy, supplied strength, given truth, and called me into His kingdom.”
Resentment says:
“Obedience has cost me too much.”
Thanksgiving remembers what has been received through Christ.
A worthy walk is not a grim attempt to prove spiritual superiority.
It is a grateful response to grace.
Do Not Compare Your Walk With Someone Else’s
Comparison may create either pride or discouragement.
You look at someone who appears weaker and feel superior.
Or you look at someone who appears stronger and feel hopeless.
But another person’s life is not the final standard.
The Lord is.
You may not know the full truth about the person you are observing.
God has given different responsibilities, opportunities, and seasons.
Ask:
“Am I faithfully walking in the light God has given me?”
“Where is He correcting me?”
“What step belongs before me?”
The worthy walk is personal without becoming self-centered.
You are accountable to the same Lord even when your circumstances differ.
A Worthy Walk Is Not Reputation Management
Some people mainly want to be known as worthy Christians.
They manage appearances.
Choose visible good works.
Hide weakness.
Avoid honest confession.
Become distressed when someone does not recognize their sacrifice.
But God calls for reality.
A worthy walk may include service no one sees.
Restraint no one notices.
Temptation quietly resisted.
Truth told when a lie would have remained undiscovered.
A private apology.
A faithful duty repeated without praise.
Do not exchange the approval of God for the appearance of spirituality.
A Worthy Walk Is Not Perfectionism
The command to walk worthy should produce seriousness, not hopelessness.
No believer has already reached complete maturity.
Growth remains necessary.
You may recognize inconsistency.
That recognition should lead to repentance and obedience—not despair.
Perfectionism says:
“If I cannot perform flawlessly, I have completely failed.”
Biblical discipleship says:
“When I stumble, I must return, receive correction, and continue walking.”
The path of the just is described this way:
“But the path of the just is as the shining light,
that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
— Proverbs 4:18, KJV
The light grows.
Continue responding to God.
Do Not Use Growth as an Excuse for Delay
Although growth is gradual, obedience should not be intentionally postponed.
A person may say:
“God is still working on me,”
while refusing what God has already made clear.
Yes, God works patiently.
But His patience should not be used to protect disobedience.
Ask:
“What do I already understand?”
“What step can I take now?”
You do not need complete knowledge of the entire Christian life before obeying the next clear command.
Walk in the light you have received while continuing to seek more light.
Examine Whether the Parts Agree
A worthy walk is not created by excelling in one area while refusing another.
A person may be generous but dishonest.
Doctrinally informed but harsh.
Sexually pure but proud.
Careful with speech but controlled by love for money.
Active in ministry but bitter at home.
The strong area does not cancel the resisted area.
Ask:
“Where is my life divided?”
“What part of my conduct does not agree with the Lord I confess?”
Do not use one visible obedience to distract from another area God is addressing.
Let Truth Govern the Small Choices
A walk consists largely of ordinary steps.
Major spiritual decisions matter.
So do small repeated choices.
Whether you keep a minor promise.
How you speak when tired.
Whether you admit a small mistake.
What you watch privately.
How you treat someone who cannot benefit you.
Whether you complete work faithfully.
How you respond when interrupted.
The direction of life is often revealed through these ordinary moments.
Do not wait for a dramatic opportunity to become faithful.
Walk worthy today.
When You Discover an Unworthy Pattern
Do not hide it.
Do not rename it.
Do not compare yourself with someone worse.
Bring it before God.
Ask:
“What does Scripture call this?”
“What lie or desire supports it?”
“What must be put off?”
“What action would agree with my calling?”
Then take the next step.
A worthy walk is restored through honest repentance and renewed obedience.
Do not allow one failure to become a reason for abandoning the path.
God Works in His People
Hebrews closes with this prayer:
“Now the God of peace…
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will,
working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
— Hebrews 13:20–21, KJV
God works within His people what is pleasing in His sight.
This prevents pride.
Every faithful step should bring glory to Jesus Christ.
But the prayer does not make obedience passive.
God equips His people to do His will.
Depend upon Him.
Respond to Him.
Give Him the glory.
A Whole-Life Worthy-Walk Examination
1. Does My Private Life Agree With My Public Confession?
Where am I relying upon secrecy?
2. Does My Conduct Become the Gospel I Profess?
Would my ordinary choices make the truth of Christ appear believable or contradictory?
3. Am I Seeking to Please God Above People?
Whose approval controls me most?
4. Am I Bearing Fruit Through Good Works?
What good is my life presently producing?
5. Am I Increasing in the Knowledge of God?
Am I growing or merely repeating familiar religious activity?
6. Am I Depending Upon God’s Strength?
Or attempting to maintain Christian conduct through pride and willpower alone?
7. Am I Continuing Patiently?
Has disappointment caused me to neglect known responsibilities?
8. Am I Giving Thanks?
Or has service become filled with pride, complaint, and resentment?
9. What Area Does Not Agree With My Calling?
Name it specifically.
A Practical Pattern for Walking Worthy
1. Remember Your Calling
God has called you into His kingdom and glory.
2. Examine the Present Direction
Do not focus only upon isolated successes or failures.
Where is your life heading?
3. Identify One Inconsistent Area
Choose a real habit, relationship, attitude, responsibility, or private practice.
4. Ask What Pleases the Lord
Search Scripture rather than relying upon preference.
5. Take the Next Obedient Step
Do not wait for complete emotional readiness.
6. Depend Upon God’s Strength
Pray for His work within you.
7. Continue Until the Step Becomes Part of the Walk
One response should become a continuing pattern.
8. Give Thanks
Recognize every faithful change as evidence of God’s mercy and help.
Discipleship Questions
- Why does walking worthy of the Lord not mean earning salvation?
- What is the difference between one isolated act of obedience and a continuing Christian walk?
- How can a believer’s conduct either adorn or contradict the gospel he professes?
- Why must knowledge of God, good works, dependence, patience, and thanksgiving remain together?
- What area of your present life most clearly fails to agree with the calling you have received?
Closing Exhortation
Walk worthy of the Lord.
Not to purchase grace.
Not to build a religious reputation.
Not to prove that you are better than others.
Walk worthy because God has called you into His kingdom.
Walk in newness of life.
Let your conduct become the gospel you profess.
Seek to please the Lord.
Bring every area beneath His authority.
Be fruitful in good works.
Increase in the knowledge of God.
Depend upon His strength.
Continue patiently.
Give thanks.
Do not be one person publicly and another privately.
Do not excuse a divided life.
Do not use gradual growth as permission to delay clear obedience.
When you stumble, return.
When God corrects, respond.
When one step is taken, continue walking.
Your earthly life is brief.
Do not spend it building a religious appearance that will not endure before God.
Live before Him now.
Let your doctrine, desires, words, relationships, work, and private conduct increasingly agree with Jesus Christ.
A Prayer to Walk Worthy of the Lord
Father,
Thank You for calling me through Jesus Christ into Your kingdom and glory.
I know that I cannot earn salvation or repay the grace You have shown me.
Still, I desire to live in a way that agrees with the Lord who saved me.
Show me where my conduct contradicts my confession.
Expose every divided area of my life.
Forgive me for seeking human approval more than Your pleasure.
Forgive me for public appearances that did not agree with private reality.
Teach me how I ought to walk and please You.
Make me fruitful in every good work.
Help me increase in the knowledge of You.
Keep truth and conduct joined together in my life.
Strengthen me according to Your power.
Give me patience and faithful continuance when obedience becomes difficult or unnoticed.
Protect me from pride, comparison, perfectionism, and spiritual passivity.
Help me receive correction without abandoning the path.
Work within me what is well pleasing in Your sight through Jesus Christ.
Let my conduct adorn the truth I profess.
May my home, work, speech, relationships, body, thoughts, and private choices all come beneath Your rule.
Help me walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Next Step
Complete these statements honestly:
The area of my life least consistent with my Christian calling is:
What Scripture reveals about that area is:
The person or approval I have been trying most to please is:
The next obedient step that would please the Lord is:
The good work or responsibility I have been neglecting is:
The help I need to ask from God is:
The way I will continue this step beyond one day is:
Do not attempt to repair every area at once.
Choose the clearest inconsistency.
Bring it under the Lord’s authority.
Take one obedient step.
Then continue walking.
Previous Lesson: Lesson 39 — How to Live Honestly Before God and Men
Next Lesson: Lesson 41 — Who Is the Holy Ghost and How Does He Help the Believer?