Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but wise. – Ephesians 5:15
You don’t have to look very hard to see that we’re living in evil times. It’s as though the world has gone upside down and decided to stay that way! The things that once seemed sacred – faith, family, integrity – are now shrugged off, mocked, or ignored. And it’s not just random either. Sometimes it feels like many organizations, “movements,” and institutions are actually determined to tear down the very things believers hold dear.
Think about it… nothing in society today seems to work toward strengthening the family. Our culture doesn’t really care whether married couples stay together or fall apart. In fact, it often encourages the easy way out. The messages that come from news, television, media, and entertainment all seem to preach a philosophy of life that’s completely contrary to what we stand for as followers of Christ.
And yet, Paul says – “Be very careful how you live. Not as unwise, but as wise.” He knew what he was talking about. Wisdom doesn’t come automatically. It’s something we must desire, pray for, and cultivate through reading God’s Word. And then – put it into practice! Because to live wisely means that we’re not to just blindly accept everything that comes our way. We are to examine it. We are to test it. We hold it up against the light of God’s truth and ask, Does this line up with what God says is good?
Because here’s the thing: when the line between right and wrong starts to blur, we’d better make sure we’re standing well on the right side of it. Not dancing near the edge, not seeing how close we can get without “technically” crossing over. Staying a safe distance from that line is part of what it means to live wisely.
The world may call that “old-fashioned,” but Paul would call it “wise.” And honestly, in times like these? Wisdom might just be the most radical thing a Christian can live by.
Former Blackout Artist 