EPHESIANS 5:15-17: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

OBSERVATION: In recent political campaigns a favorite question that has been asked by opposing parties is – “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” Depending on your party affiliation the answer will be different. However, if we step back and look at our world objectively the answer would be a resounding – NO! While there have been advances in medicine and technology we have not been able to turn the tide of the hardening of man’s heart. Wars and rumors or wars only seem to increase. The nightly news is filled with crimes that just a few years ago were not common place. Families are broken, nations are in peril. We are living in “evil days”. So what is the answer?

Paul calls us to wisdom. Not the wisdom of the world, but the wisdom of God. He exhorts us to walk “circumspectly”. This word means to walk with exactness, with careful attention to each step. The picture I get is walking along the thin ledge on a cliff. One misstep and the fall could be deadly. The fool would simply walk without looking. The “circumspect” would carefully watch each step, making sure that their footing was secure before taking the next step.

This is the way we need to live in the world today. We cannot simply plunge ahead. Wisdom is needed. We cannot navigate life simply by what we feel, or by our initial perception. We need to watch each step. We need to seek The Lord, His Word, and godly counsel to – “…understand what the will of The Lord is.” As I look over my life I see the times I plunged ahead and the resulting pain and difficulty that followed. If I would have simply slowed down, taken time to pray, opened my heart to listen, and sought the counsel of godly men and women who were walking with The Lord, I would have avoided a lot of the pain I have experienced.

So today Lord, help me to watch my step. Help me to walk “circumspectly” in every area of my life. Help me take time to pray, to look to Your Word, to open my heart and listen, and to seek godly counsel. May Your Spirit and Your Word guide my steps, one by one, into Your will for my life. In Jesus Name!