How can we avoid being "foolish and unwise" in our faith journey? The Verse at the Center Ephesians 5:15: “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.” Why Wisdom Matters • Foolishness blinds us to God’s purposes • Wisdom positions us to please the Lord and bless others (Proverbs 3:13; James 3:17) Practicing Careful Attention • Examine daily habits in light of Scripture (Psalm 119:105) • Invite the Spirit to search motives and attitudes (Psalm 139:23-24) • Guard speech, media intake, and relationships from corrupting influence (1 Corinthians 15:33) Redeeming the Time Ephesians 5:16: “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” • Schedule regular time for the Word and prayer • Treat interruptions as ministry moments (Acts 8:26-35) • Invest in eternal priorities—people, service, discipleship (Matthew 6:19-21) Understanding the Lord’s Will Ephesians 5:17: “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” • Saturate the mind with Scripture; God’s will is never contrary to His Word (Romans 12:2) • Seek counsel from mature believers (Proverbs 15:22) • Obey promptly; light for the next step comes after we walk in the light we have (John 7:17) Walking in the Spirit • Yield each decision to the Spirit’s leading (Galatians 5:16) • Cultivate the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23) • Resist grieving the Spirit through persistent sin (Ephesians 4:30) Keeping the Heart Aligned Proverbs 4:23: “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” • Memorize and meditate on key verses to renew the mind • Confess sin quickly to maintain fellowship (1 John 1:9) • Nurture gratitude to counter discontent (Colossians 2:6-7) Staying in Godly Fellowship Hebrews 10:24-25 stresses meeting together for mutual encouragement. • Join a Bible-believing church and small group • Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness • Serve alongside others; accountability grows in shared mission Living Out Wisdom Daily • Start each day acknowledging dependence on the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6) • End each day reviewing God’s guidance and correcting course where needed • Trust that God “gives wisdom generously” to those who ask (James 1:5) By walking carefully, redeeming the time, and seeking the Lord’s will, we replace foolishness with Spirit-empowered wisdom and stay on a steady, fruitful path of faith. |
    |