Ephesians 5:15
“So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise.”
This whole chapter has been Paul encouraging the Ephesians to walk in the light. He cautioned them against returning to their old life which was in darkness. He warns against even talking about it. This makes sense as the old life had some allure. So, talking about it could put a hook in them and bring them back.
It’s important to know this about ones self. This keeps us from bring it up. AA and the Celebrate Recovery groups are well aware of this and make it prominent in their groups. They are well aware how vulnerable they are. They encourage their members to meet weekly or several times a week. This is the wisdom today’s verse is talking about.
This individual struggles with an out of control want. David gives them the antidote in Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Staying in the light and in the Lord calms this in us. Proverbs 14:14 says, “The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.” They are brimming with excessive want, while the godly one is satisfied.
Being in God’s Word and fellowship calms this. We learn to stay away from the dark triggers. There is slavery in the old ways and freedom in God’s. What a wonder to be free of all of that. Paul talks about walking in the light. Step by step with the Lord. He has plenty of good stuff in store.
Wisdom will look different to others. Some may be apathetic. This one has no allure in them. Not even a healthy, godly desire. They need to jump start it. Being in God’s Word, the bible creates this. Psalm 42:1b says, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.”
The bible is special. Hebrews 4:12a says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword”. In the parable of the sower, Jesus refers to it as seed that’s planted and grows in our hearts. That’s true. The life of God is created in us. His new desires spring up in us.
He starts putting His character in us. We begin to be loving and forgiving. We want to be a blessing to others. He provides opportunities in our paths. We’re on mission for Him. We have a new family. We get new christian friends, we join a small group. We have a heavenly Father who we are in relationship with.
All the while we need to be careful how we walk. We are aware of our triggers and avoid them. We learn what it feels like, so when there is the simplest sense of it, we flee. For the apathetic one, they need to be careful not to be lulled asleep. Staying in the Word and in fellowship does this.
Lord, thank You for this wisdom. Thank You for Your wonderful ways that fill us and allow us to be a blessing to others. Thank You for our new family. Help us to wisely walk and avoid the dark.