THE WISE MAN WALKS CAREFULLY

B. Mills

Paul is writing for Christians, and this portion of his letter includes several ways in which he speaks of the total difference between God’s ways and the ways of the world. He called it walking wisely.

I remember a visit to a sister in law’s home in Arkansas. Our visit was forcibly extended by a severe ice storm. Her son, made his way down the hill from his home to hers falling a number of times in that short walk. Knowing he was very handy with tools, I suggested that he take two boards the size of his feet and put short nails in them to serve as cleats before he tried that again. The next time he came, he had done that and fastened them to an old pair of shoes with tape. He did not slip at all. That is how God wants us to walk, with care, don’t take chances. Prepare yourself for those perils to your Spiritual life that will certainly come to us all.

Ephesians 5:15-21 (King James Version)

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (Ephesians 5:2, Colossians 4:5)

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Colossians 4:5, Galatians 1:4, Ephesians 6:13)

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Romans 12:2, Colossians 1:9, 1 Timothy 4:3)

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23-31f, Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 5:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:7, Titus 1:6, 1 Peter 4:4, Luke 1:15)

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Colossians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Acts 16:25, Revelation 5:9, 1 Corinthians 14:15)

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Romans 1:8, Ephesians 5:4, Colossians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 15:24)

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (Galatians 5:13, Philippians 2:3, 1 Peter 5:5, 2 Corinthians 5:11)

Paul covers the works of the flesh in another letter, Galatians, 5:16-26. That letter identifies and contrasts the works of the world, with the works of the Spirit. (The works of the world - Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:19, Galatians 5:20-21) (The works of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22, Galatians 5:23) I have listed the verses separately because the automatic search will not open several verses at a time if you are reading from a computer monitor. The people at Ephesus would have had access to the circular letter sent to all the churches in Galatia. This one only singles out the excess of wine. That was probably because this was a major feature of the pagan religions of Ephesus. Particular attention was needed.