Pastor Mike Chat January 23 2026

Описание: Friday January 23
Walk In Wisdom
Ephesians 5:15-17
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Today we will continue our study in the book of Ephesians 5 looking at verses 15-17. In this chapter, the Apostle Paul has already urged us to “walk in love” (verse 2) and to “walk as children of light” (verse 8). Now he adds another important instruction: “See then that you walk circumspectly… as wise.” In other words, Paul is calling us to “walk in wisdom”.

The word circumspectly is an interesting one. It comes from a word that means to look around carefully. The idea is precision, accuracy, and thoughtful living. Paul is saying, “Pay attention to how you live. Walk carefully. Walk with purpose.” The opposite would be walking carelessly—drifting through life without direction, guidance, or forethought. The Christian life is not something we can leave to chance. It requires wise decisions and a sincere desire to do the will of God.

These verses connect closely with what Paul said just before in verse 14, where he urged believers to wake up. The picture is clear: Don’t walk through life spiritually asleep. Open your eyes. Be alert. Make the most of the day God has given you. Sadly, many professing Christians drift through life like spiritual sleepwalkers. They rarely pause to consider how God might want to use them or how their daily choices matter for eternity. Paul gives us several reasons why we should walk carefully and wisely.

First, it is a mark of wisdom. Paul says, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.” A fool simply drifts with the wind and the tide. A wise person charts a course, sets a direction, and steers accordingly. Just as a builder plans before constructing a house, believers should be intentional about how they live their lives. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but a planned life is far better equipped to deal with unexpected events. Walking wisely means knowing where you’re going and why.

Second, life is short. Verse 16 tells us to redeem the time, or literally, buy up the opportunity. The idea is to seize the moments God gives us while we can. Opportunities are fleeting. Once they pass, they may never return. Our English word opportunity carries the picture of a ship catching the wind and tide to reach the harbor. Life moves quickly, and Scripture repeatedly reminds us of its brevity. That reality should motivate us to use our time wisely for the Lord.

Third, the days are evil. When Paul wrote these words, persecution was looming on the horizon. Opportunities to serve Christ and reach the lost would not always be available. If the days were evil then, they certainly are today. Sin advances, hearts grow harder, and doors can close quickly. That is why we must not waste the opportunities God places before us. At the same time, because the days are evil there will be more confusion and chaos which will produce more brokenness in our relationships and lives. This means that even more opportunities will be around us to share the love and truth of Jesus with!

Fourth, God has given us a mind. Verse 17 says, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Understanding God’s will is not a mystical experience that bypasses clear thinking. God expects His children to use their minds. As Romans 12 tells us, God transforms us by the renewing of our minds. Through His Word, prayer, meditation, and worship, we learn to think biblically and discern wisely. God does not merely want us to know His will—He wants us to understand it. That involves gathering facts, weighing decisions, and praying for wisdom, as James reminds us.

Finally, God has a plan for our lives. Scripture teaches that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which He prepared beforehand. God saves us with purpose. He reveals His plan through His Word, through the inner leading of the Holy Spirit, and through circumstances that He orchestrates for our good. Because God has a plan, we can walk carefully and confidently. Like a builder following a blueprint, we align our lives with what the Master Architect has designed.

May God help us not to drift, but to walk wisely—redeeming the time, understanding His will, and living each day with purpose for His glory.

God bless you, and I trust you have a wonderful, wonderful day.