Be careful and wise

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Selfcare”

Our Bible verse for today: “Pay careful attention, then, to how you live – not as unwise people but as wise – making the most of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Be careful and wise”

“Be careful and be wise” Paul tells us. Much of our trouble in life comes when we are not careful and we are not wise. In yesterday’s devotional we considered the important role prudence and common-sense play in our quest for good selfcare. This verse communicates the same truth. We must pay careful attention to how we live, not as unwise people but as wise.

The truth is that we bring many of our problems and suffering on ourselves by the way we think, and by the decisions we make, and by the actions we take. The more careful and wiser we are the better life will be for us. Paul is talking about Biblical wisdom, being wise in the ways of the Lord. He goes on in verse 17, “So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” And then in verse 18, “And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled with the Spirit.”

In those verses Paul is encouraging us to be filled with the Holy Spirit every day so that we will then live carefully and wisely – making good decisions and engaging in right actions. He then gives us some examples of how to do so: “Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Christian fellowship); “Singing and making music with your heart to the Lord (worship); “giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (living with a sense of thankfulness and gratitude); “submitting to one another in the fear of Christ (accountability).

Living carefully and wisely, exercising prudence, using good common-sense, and relying on sound judgment, are all learned behaviors that grow out of good discipleship practices. As we submit ourselves to the prompting and guidance of the Holy Spirit day-by-day and moment-by-moment He will help us to be wise and careful.

What Paul is calling us to is consistency in our life as a Christian. Place yourself in a position before God every day whereby the Holy Spirit has full access to your mind and heart. Over time, The Spirit will teach you how to live carefully and wisely in ways that truly do honor and please the Lord.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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