Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ (Ephesians 5:15-21 NAS95).
Having been warned about the deceptiveness of sins and those who would seek to weigh you down with their evil deeds (Eph 5:3-14), Paul now gives us some proactive advice. Namely, he writes, “Be careful how you walk.”
He wants us to walk as wise men. That means making good choices. He mentions excessive alcohol consumption as one bad choice. However, this is likely not the only area where a Christian might choose unwisely. Many things are not inherently sinful, but when pursued to extremes, become sinful for the believer. You may fill in whatever idols you worship here. And, yes, anything that you give more importance to than Christ is an idol.
Therefore, be proactive and seek to be filled with the Spirit. Encouraging one another with psalms and spiritual songs is a means to that end. Speaking words of encouragement will help both the one receiving and the one encouraging. Above all, let us be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Practice thankfulness at all times and for all things. If you have this mindset, you will do much to guard against unwise choices in these evil days in which we live. Amen.
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