Therefore consider carefully how you live—not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
Into the Text
The Bible speaks a great deal about wisdom and our need for it. Someone who is wise has good judgment, uses knowledge appropriately, and acts accordingly. She is able to discern what is true and what is false. She loves others and seeks Christ above everything.
Paul writes that wisdom is to mark all Christians. What is interesting is that he doesn’t say that we do this on our own in isolation. Notice that his call to wise living is in the context of community. This is why we have each other in the church. We are to help one another and to be united in our pursuit of imitating Christ as wise people.
The ways we can pursue wisdom is through being filled with the Spirit, or allowing the Spirit to lead and guide our days, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, or repeating the truths of Scripture to one another continually, giving thanks, and submitting to one another.
All of these actions are not a means to control us or to keep us from having a fun or fulfilled life. They are measures of protection, rooted in love, to keep us from being tossed about by sin.
We need one another! Seeking the good of others and listening to the encouragement and counsel of others is one of the wisest things we can do.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you that you are the God of all wisdom. Help me to live wisely and not unwisely. I pray that you would surround me with other believers who can help me to submit daily to you. Amen.