Ephesians 5:15-17
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
As we travel the path of the Christian life, Scripture (and common sense) instructs us to look carefully. The word that Ephesians uses for “carefully” is the Greek akribos, which means “diligently and accurately.” It is a foundational principle of the Christian walk, as well as a core discipline of the R Factor: How clearly you see determines how effectively you respond.
In other words, we are called to have discernment.
Having discernment means seeing what needs to be seen, not just the immediate and the obvious. It means having the insight and courage to recognize the reality of the situations we face. It means having the spiritual and mental discipline to distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, and on-path from off-path.
Please note the strength of the Ephesians passage above. It gives a triple admonition combined with a double warning:
Here is the triple admonition.
1) Look carefully (akribos) how you walk.
2) Be wise (sophos).
3) Understand (suniemi) God’s will.
These three admonitions are essential spiritual and mental disciplines for seeing clearly and staying on the path to which Jesus calls us. They are virtues we need in order to invest our time wisely and walk obediently in response to the events and situations we experience.
Here is the double warning:
1) Don’t be unwise (asophos).
2) Don’t be foolish (aphron).
These two warnings are synonymous, and the purpose for the repetition is to underscore the danger of being deceived and foolish. Every Christian should take this double warning seriously, as all of us are capable of falling prey to the seductions of attractive lies. If you don’t think it can happen to you, then you are already deceived … and foolish.
The bottom line is that discernment is an essential spiritual and mental discipline for the Christian life. In your journey with Jesus, don’t get distracted and don’t get deceived. Develop the discipline of discernment. Do the hard work of looking carefully, seeking God’s insight, and acting wisely.
More tomorrow …
