Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Eph. 5:15-16

Stop and think about this familiar verse for a few moments.

Look carefully how you walk…

If we were to be honest with ourselves, I suspect we would have to admit that most days we just go through our routine. We don’t think too much about choices we make on a daily basis. In some ways we are like the frogs in the pot of water, gradually warming up, unaware of the change in our environment until it’s too late. I mean, really, how much thought do we put into our daily routines? Are we looking carefully how we walk?

…not as unwise but as wise…

I have been certainly guilty of making unwise decisions over the years, either carelessly (because I did not look carefully) or intentionally (because I wanted what I wanted). A cursory glance at Proverbs clearly distinguishes between the fool (unwise) and the wise.

Fools are self-focused and proud – the wise are humble
Fools lack restraint – the wise practice restraint
Fools talk and forget – the wise listen and learn
Fools refuse correction – the wise receive and appreciate correction
Fools choose wrong and accept evil – the wise choose right and flee evil

At times I am more the fool than the wise.

A very interesting study that warrants deeper study.

…making the best use of the time…

In the NKJV this phrase is translated “redeeming the time”. To redeem means to “change for the better”. After the 16 hours I will be up today, will I be able to say that I made the best use of all of them? Or that I changed for the better even one of them?

Choices. It comes down to choices. One way to consider the best use of our time is to ask, “Is this a good choice, a better choice, or the best choice?” Sometimes we settle for less than the best.

…because the days are evil.”

I don’t think I need to say much here. Just watch the news. Our country seems to have lost its moorings. Daily we hear and see evil being manifested around the world. The days are evil.

We, as believers, need to make a difference in our little corner of the world by looking carefully how we walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of our time, because the days are evil.
Food for thought today.

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick. In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events. She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John for 30 years. She has 2 adult children, 4 grandchildren, 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 11 in all. She delights in reading and teaching, but mostly in laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redeem November 19, 2014