It can be difficult sometimes to make sure our walk is following how God wants us to live. Paul cautioned us to not be foolish. This devotion looks at how Paul suggested we live.
Nuggets
- Paul said that we have to be careful in our walk.
- Paul said that we have to make the most of time.
- God doesn’t want us to be foolish.
Satan tries very hard to get us to abandon our walk with God. That is why Paul cautioned the Ephesians – and us – to tread carefully. Let’s see what Paul had to say.
Tread Carefully
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise” (Eph. 5: 15 RSV)
Paul said that we have to be careful in our walk. What is our walk? That is our lives. You know, we “put one foot in front of the other” and make it through the days of our lives.
So, let’s look at “carefully.” Isn’t our lives as disciples supposed to be easy? Nope.
Our walk as disciples has been described as “hard, and there are few people who find it” (Mt. 7: 14 GNT). We have to carefully watch to make sure we are continuing to walk on the narrow path.
How are we supposed to walk?
- “… put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Col. 3: 12 HCSB).
- “accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another …” (Col. 3: 13 HCSB).
- “Above all, put on love …” (Col. 3: 14 HCSB).
- “And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts …” (Col. 3: 15 HCSB).
- “… Be thankful” (Col. 3: 15 HCSB).
- “… teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom …” (Col. 3: 16 HCSB).
- “… singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Col. 3: 16 HCSB).
- “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3: 17 HCSB).
- “… put away lying, Speak the truth …” (Eph. 4 25 HCSB).
- “Be angry and do not sin …” (Eph. 4: 26 HCSB).
- “… don’t give the Devil an opportunity” (Eph. 4 27 HCSB).
- “The thief must no longer steal …” (Eph. 4: 28 HCSB).
- “No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need …” (Eph. 4. 29 HCSB).
- “… don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. …” (Eph. 4: 30 HCSB).
- “All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice” (Eph. 4: 31 HCSB).
When Paul said to be wise, he was giving us good advice that could be utilized in a variety of situations. We are wise when we are watchful in contentious circumstances. When we are attentive to the needs of others when we exercise “… compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Col. 3: 12 HCSB).
The flip side is walking as fools. That can be summarized as someone who gives “… the Devil an opportunity” (Eph. 4 27 HCSB). They live without love and peace in their hearts. They lie and steal.
Those who walk foolishly sometimes feel this does not apply to them. When we feel that ends justify the means, we are not compassionate towards others and could, instead, lie and steal. When we buy into the “every man for himself” mentality, we do not operate in love.
We have to remember that this wisdom is not that if the world. It is God’s wisdom. Luckily, we have help: “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him” (Jas. 1: 5 HCSB).
What Time Is It?
“making the most of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5: 16 RSV)
How many times have we heard how precious time is? Theophrastus said, “Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” Once it is gone, it is gone.
Paul said that we have to make the most of time. How do disciples do that?
Remember, the early church members felt Jesus was going to return soon. Matthew 16: 28 says, “I assure you: There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (HCSB).
Yes, several did write things down. I really don’t think that they expected it to be put together and broken up into chapter and verse. I think they were just writing to people of the day to encourage them to walk in the way God wanted them to walk.
I am glad someone put it together into a Bible and preserved it for us. Yes, I think that was a God’s intent. I am not sure He let Peter, John, Paul, Moses, Nehemiah, Isaiah, and the rest in on the plan.
When we have an approaching deadline, we operate differently than if we think we have all summer, all year, or our whole lifetime.
Whether we think we are in the end times or not, we have to be watching for Jesus’ return. We have to live like we could be called home tomorrow.
Are we ready? Do we have unconfessed sin? Are we performing the tasks to which God has called us?
How does Paul think we should be spending our time?
- Do the good works to which God has created us (Eph. 2: 10)
- Live in unity (Eph. 2: 14)
- Understand what we can of God’s love (Eph. 3: 18)
- Be filled with the fullness of God (Eph. 3: 19)
- Walk worthy I’d the calling (Eph. 4: 1)
- Change our lifestyle to one pleasing to God (Eph. 4: 22)
- Imitating God (Eph. 5: 1)
Paul cautioned the Ephesians — and us — that the days were evil. Remember, Ephesus was a center of pagan worship. A huge lifestyle change was needed when the Ephesians became disciples of a Jesus.
Because evil was so prevalent in Paul’s day, the Ephesians needed to be light in their world. Because evil is still prevalent in our world today, we need to be light in our world.
Don’t Be Foolish
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5: 17 RSV)
God doesn’t want us to be foolish. He wants us to grow in grace and knowledge (II Pet. 3: 18). He wants us to turn to His Holy Spirit living in us for comfort.
God makes His Will known to us. He has ensured that the letters written by His chosen ones were preserved. He makes His Will known as we pray to Him and listen for Him to talk with us.
As the Psalmist did, God wants us to use His “word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119: 105 ESV).
We’ve talked before about determining the Will of God. We said His laws and commandments show us His will. Also, when we grow closer to Him, He will make His Will known.
How Do We Apply This?
We apply this by doing what Paul tells us to do. Yes, it is getting to be a long list. But if we work at it diligently, we will succeed.
True, we will mess up occasionally (maybe even frequently). We just have to ask God’s forgiveness and try to do better.
The biggest way we can apply this is prioritizing our time. Do we put God first? Have we chosen how we spend our time based on His plan for us? Are we doing what we are supposed to be doing when we are supposed to be doing it?
We need to begin and end our day with God and keep in in the forefront throughout. Hopefully, we can have our alone time with Him.
God wants to guide us through our lives. All we have to do is let Him.
Lord. You want to guide us through our lives, but so many times we just barrel on without You. We try to depend on ourselves. We do want to bother You with the small stuff in our lives. Forgive us. Help us to quit wasting time and begin to focus more on the tasks to which You have called us. Amen.
What do you think?
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Good article. I’m going through many of these issues as well..
I am glad that the devotion spoke to you and encouraged you. I liked the list because I can be a just-tell-me-what-to-do gal, but at times it can get to be a little overwhelming. Keep walking and seeking Him and He will get us through the issues.
I conceive you have noted some very interesting points, thanks for the post.
You’re welcome. I am glad it made you think.
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people think. Also, thank you for permitting me to comment!
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Bye
Wonderful! I am happy that what I wrote helped. Good luck as you grow closer to God.
It’s hard to find educated people in this particular subject,
however, you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Thank you!