A WISE USE OF TIME

Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], 16 making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17

Greetings in the precious Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Christian “walk” or the Christian “life” represents the moral conduct that arises out of our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. But the popular opinion of the Christian “life” or Christian “walk” is a style of living just to please the world and the world should appreciate our life in comparison with the worldly standard of life. But Paul says (in essence), “You walk carefully, living life with honor, purpose, and courage. Christian life should have a purpose! And it should be combined with honor and courage. But how can these be achieved?

In these verses we can clearly see that word ‘making the most of your time’ is sandwiched between ‘Be not unwise’ and ‘Do not be foolish and thoughtless’. That means I can make the most of time in the right way if I am wise and not foolish or thoughtless.

1. “BE WISE”

Paul says, “Not as the unwise, but as wise” The Bible often warns us about living unwise. King Solomon understood about this unwise leadership. There are so many examples in the Bible, many kings who ruled Israel. The unwise kings did not fear the Lord. But Proverbs 1:7 reads, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Almost everybody knows this verse, but are we implementing it in our family life or personal life?

In what ways does this Christian wisdom manifest itself? One way is in a right use of time. Paul talks of “buying back the time” because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). This speaks to us of making the most of the ‘now’ of our experience, rather than dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future. This does not mean that we ignore the lessons of history and experience, nor that we fail to make plans for the future: but it draws us rather into a sense of the urgency of the days in which we are now living.

Explaining this wisdom, the Amplified Bible says, “sensible, intelligent, discerning people”

I. Sensible

“A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them” says Proverbs 27:12. “Sensible people always think before they act, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.” Pr. 13:16; and “Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later.” Pr. 22:3. According to Jesus, ““So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock.” Mat.7:24.

II. Intelligent

Proverbs 18:15 says, “Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.” Intelligent people won’t waste their precious time but always try to learn the way of the LORD. The Psalmist prays in Ps. 143:10:- “Teach me to do Your will [so that I may please You], For You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Whatever may happen, intelligent people will wait on the Lord and take each step with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

III. Discernment

This is the need of the hour. Discernment is described in Scripture as the love of wisdom. It is the ability to seek a resolution, not blame. To give wise judgment in decisions, then the ability to discriminate between the bad/wrong choices and the right/wise choice. We are to be sharp and informed people of God by focusing our thoughts on who God is in order to see what is appropriate as well as discern personal obstacles that hinder the Spirit of God (Psalm 119:125; Prov. 1:5; 3:31; 8:9; 18:15; 16:21-24; 25:5; Matt. 16-26; Rom. 13:11-14; 16:19; Phil. 1:9-11).

Foolishness, lack of caution, judging hastily, and fabrication are the opposites. An undiscerning Christian will cause massive destruction to the mission and to his/her family. He or she can allow false truths to be taught, emotions to get out of control, and sin to go on without repentance or reverence to God. When a body of believers is not discerning, a vacuum will form and suck in all kinds of filth and dirt like a regular vacuum cleaner, except that no cleaning will occur because the bag will be the family.

2. DO NOT BE FOOLISH

“O thoughtless Galatians, who did bewitch you, not to obey the truth” says Paul to the Galatians in 3:1. So thoughtlessness is ‘not obeying truth’. 1. Wise King Solomon warned, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent” (Proverbs 1:10). How many young people have been lured these days with wrong things. 2. As Solomon explained, “Any fool can start a quarrel” and “whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls” (Proverbs 20:3; 25:28). 3. Negative and bad habits land up in reaping wicked life. Develop a good habit! Good habits include prayer and Bible study, exercise, a healthy diet, making more good friends and using time productively. 4. God strongly warns against falling for a widespread religious deception that rejects His laws in the last days. Truth is brushed aside and untruthful things flourish in churches, assemblies and families. So what should we do? Seek the truth. Jesus defined truth in His prayer to the Father: “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). 5. Solomon advised against hasty decisions and thoughtless promises. “Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts; if you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?” (Proverbs 22:26-27).

So what does God want us to do? Take commitment seriously, especially the commitment of marriage and the commitment to God through baptism. Use your time wisely.

Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom and understanding to use my time wisely. Give me your Holy Spirit so that I may be sensible, intelligent and could discern untruthfulness and truthfulness. Make me wise to seek the Truth. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Series Navigation

<< REFLECTION OF JESUS’ UNSELFISH LOVETRUE DELIGHT >>