“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15)
Sometimes, we move through life on autopilot, just doing the next thing without thinking about it much. But Paul warns us to pay careful attention to how we live. Every decision you make—big or small—is based in either wisdom or foolishness. And if you’re not careful, you’ll make one unwise choice after another, resulting in an inconsistent Christian walk and stalled spiritual growth. So how do we live each day intentionally?
First, you have to understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:17). This is more than a casual familiarity with what God wants in general. You need a firm grasp on what He wants you to do. Both His will for every believer and His specific will for your life become clear as you spend time in His Word and in His presence. There is no shortcut or substitute.
Next, relying on the Holy Spirit is crucial. He gives you the ability to understand God’s Word and the power to carry out God’s will. But this begins with surrender—releasing control of your daily life into His hands. Paul gives us a vivid analogy: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
Just as drunkenness puts someone under the influence of alcohol, being filled with the Spirit means voluntarily placing yourself under the authority of Christ. It’s letting Him order your steps by yielding your will to His. And when you do, your life has a greater sense of meaning and purpose because you’re living for something far greater than your own happiness. In short—you live a life of wisdom.
But you cannot live this way unless you pay careful attention. So where do you start? When Charlie Kirk was asked what he prays for, he said, “I ask God what He needs from me today; what is it that I’m supposed to do?” That’s what it looks like to walk carefully and purposefully—and it leads to a consistent daily walk with Christ.
Don’t drift through today thoughtlessly. Take a few quiet moments in God’s presence. Yield your thoughts, attitudes, and actions to Him. As you do, your decisions will begin to reflect godly wisdom.
