Be Careful How You Live

Ephesians 6:15-21 “Be careful then How you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Paul is reminding us that a godly, morally upright life style does not just happen automatically. Care, planning, seeking, and trusting need to be continuously employed. Our model always must be Jesus as seen in the Scripture through the eyes of the Holly Spirit. Since the days are evil and man is naturally lost, we need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and take advantage of the opportunities that He focuses our attention on. It is unfortunate indeed when an opportunity to witness arises immediately following a display of bad temper or less than desirable speech has just left our lips. Imagine the impact, if we were able to discipline ourselves so that every moment was lived as though the next one were to yield an opportunity to share the Gospel. The next paragraph gives us a plan. We all need to be intoxicated, but as Paul tells us, not with wine, but with the Holy Spirit. Regarding our speech to one another I believe that the point he is trying to make is that the content of our speech ought to be primarily Scripture and praise, certainly positive and God uplifting. Our hearts should always be filled with song of praise directed toward God through Jesus Christ. Thankfulness is an attitude that needs to be developed and expressed towards God. Finally, our attitude toward one another should be submission rather than trying to be “one up.”