BE CAREFUL HOW YOU LIVE

Passage: Ephesians 5:15-21

Key verse: 15

NIV

15 Be very careful, then, how you live(A)—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity,(B) because the days are evil.(C) 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.(D) 18 Do not get drunk on wine,(E) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,(F) 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.(G) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks(H) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households(I)

21 Submit to one another(J) out of reverence for Christ.

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

15 (A)Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 (B)making the best use of the time, because (C)the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what (D)the will of the Lord is. 18 And (E)do not get drunk with wine, for that is (F)debauchery, but (G)be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in (H)psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 (I)giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father (J)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 (K)submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Read full chapter
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Understand the Lord's will (15-17)

As God's people now, we need to be very careful to live our life wisely before God because the days are evil. In other words, we need to be very conscious of our Christian living, making sure that our motive and actions express our new life in Christ. So then, we are to live wisely by making the most of every opportunity that comes our way to grow in Christ and to share the gospel. We are also to understand what the Lord's will is. We often experience the foolishness of our own will. Those who understand God's will through Bible study and prayer and follow it are truly wise and mature.

2. Be filled with the Spirit (18-21)

Getting drunk on wine leads to debauchery. God's people should instead be filled with the Holy Spirit. God, not we, can fill us with His Spirit, when we are spiritually ready through confession of sin and commitment to Him. Those who are led by the Spirit can sing songs of praise from their heart to the Lord and give thanks to God for everything because God-given joy is in them. They can submit to one another.

Prayer: Lord, help us to make the most of every opportunity for your glory and for our spiritual growth, and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

One Word: Live wisely before God