Be careful how you walk

“Do you ever think that… you might have seen things or… done some things over there that you wish you hadn’t?” American Sniper (2014)

In Scripture, we are instructed to live wisely. Paul teaches us to take care how we live, not acting as the unwise do, but choosing a different path. If you can imagine walking out into a minefield, you better watch out where you step. Likewise, in life, there are dangers and pitfalls lurking all around us. Stop for a second and take a look around. Watch the current news. Listen to conversations around the water cooler at work. What temptation is lying right outside your door?

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise.” Ephesians 5:15

Paul instructs us to be careful how we walk. Living a life of sin is the norm…so how do we live counter-culturally? It all boils down to whether or not we will choose to be God-directed or self-directed. Who is going to run the show?

From the very beginning, God always wanted what is best for us. In Genesis 2:17, God instructs Adam and Eve “not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” In Doug Sherman’s book titled “More Than Ordinary,” the author points out that God’s intent was not to deprive mankind, but rather to “protect them from the knowledge of evil that would bring hell on earth. It was like a father telling his children not to experiment with heroine, knowing that trying such a thing even once would be destructive. Every commandment God has ever given has been for our good–to give us the best life we could have and to protect us from harm.” (p.56)

But do you truly believe it?

If we want to walk wisely, we will follow God’s lead. Begin today by asking Him for wisdom…

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5