Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of Christ. Ephesians 5:15-21 CSB
Pay Close Attention
We are currently in a series titled We Are The Church: A Study in Ephesians. Chapter 5 of Ephesians begins with Paul telling the Christians at the church in Ephesus that the key to living as children of God is to imitate God in everything we say and do. Our key truth for the series, The Church is not a destination but a base of operation, means that we build each other up and then go out from the church, living the Gospel out in our lives for everyone around us.
Those of us who are older know the wisdom of paying careful attention to how we walk – in wisdom and not folly. We know the consequences of folly and ignoring wisdom. If only we would listen to the wisdom that others offer, we might save ourselves some heartache and pain. God's word offers us the only wisdom we need to walk wisely.
How do we intentionally and strategically walk in wisdom? …but be filled by the Spirit
The way we intentionally and strategically walk in wisdom is to be filled with the Spirit. Paul warns us against getting drunk with wine which leads to reckless living, but instead be filled by the Spirit. We always need to fill up the empty spaces in our lives with the Holy Spirit, the wisdom and knowledge that comes from him and from God’s word. We can stop drinking or living recklessly but unless we fill that void up with the Holy Spirit and the knowledge and wisdom of God we will end up right back where we started – living unwisely and making bad choices.
Other people also help us walk intentionally and strategically in wisdom as well. We learn from teachers and pastors at church as well as friends. We worship together speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord. And we focus on who God is and what he has done - giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit fills us, equips us, and influences us instead of the days that are evil.
Wisdom comes from learning, living and doing. Living in a way that glorifies God is one way we grow in wisdom. Foolishness is doing what our flesh wants. The way to finding God's will for our lives is by reading His Word and obeying. We have this one beautiful life to steward. Time is precious and every move we make counts. Walk wisely in the Holy Spirit and not recklessly, praising God and giving thanks in all things.
