Ephesians 5:15-17
Thoughts from Katie Fox
Dive Deeper
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”
Ephesians 5:15-17
Behind the Scenes
This chapter of Ephesians began with the Apostle Paul urging believers to live as people of light seeking righteousness and avoiding evil behaviors. How will they do this? Not by their willpower alone, but from the power of Christ who gives that light. Paul continues that line of thought with today’s verses cautioning us to live carefully and wisely. Life with Jesus involves a tension between making our own effort and allowing God’s Spirit to work within us. We have the responsibility to pray, read, worship, and grow in maturity and wisdom. Part of maturity, however, is realizing that we can’t grow without God’s Spirit working in us. This concept is liberating but it can also be frustrating and a challenge to live out.
The Bible contains numerous examples of people living wisely and foolishly. Often, you see examples of foolishness and wisdom in the same person. King David exhibited great wisdom at times but then he lived foolishly when he committed adultery with a woman named Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel). God blessed Samson with great strength, but Samson made some foolish decisions and wound up captured and blinded by his enemies (see Judges). King Solomon achieved great fame as a wise ruler, but towards the end of his life he strayed from God and worshipped the idols of his wives (see 1 Kings). Nicodemus was a great teacher who lived a disciplined life, but he failed to understand the work of Jesus and the Spirit. Nicodemus displayed great wisdom, however, because he sought out Jesus for answers (see the book of John).
We make the choice every day to live wisely or foolishly. Part of living wisely is recognizing that we can’t live a righteous life solely by our own effort. Like Nicodemus, we must turn to Jesus, God Incarnate, God With Us. Doing this leads us on the path to wisdom.
Make it Real
As we pray to God for help in living righteous lives, we have the responsibility to choose to live wisely. Often this is a daily choice. What does this look like? Paul gives us a couple of suggestions.
First, he urges us to take advantage of our opportunities. This means using our time wisely. We choose who to spend time with, we choose what shows to watch, and we choose honest or dishonest actions. We choose what to let our thoughts dwell upon, we choose how to respond to an angry person, and how to respond to a person who asks for help. Reflect daily on your actions. Were they wise or foolish? As Paul points out, these are evil days and opportunities abound that will lead you off the path of wisdom.
Second, understand what the Lord wants you do. Read the Bible. Pray. Talk to Christian friends. Learn what it means to live a life pleasing to God. Turn to Jesus. He is God and shows us what God the Father is like. Our goal in life is to be more and more like Jesus. We resolve to live wisely, and God will grow us and mature us. This is not easy, but we have God’s Spirit within us and our church family. We are not alone in this effort.
Johnny Spence
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Dear God, help me live a wise life. Help me make the most of my time and choose to live according to your ways. Help me realize that I am not in this alone and that I have your mighty power helping me grow in wisdom and righteousness. Help me live a life pleasing to you. Thank you for all you have done, Amen.