Introduction

‘Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.’ Ephesians 5:15-18

The gospel records about the childhood of Jesus state that He grew in wisdom and in stature. Solomon understood the importance of wisdom so well that he considered it to be the one and only thing to request from God. Wisdom is so important that James advises whoever lacks it, to ask God without doubting.

The importance of wisdom is further emphasized in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins as taught by our Lord. Jesus advises that His disciples should be ‘as wise as serpent, but as gentle as a dove’, Matthew 10:16. God’s people should not walk or live without wisdom.

As expressed in the text, Paul indeed encouraged the Christians in Ephesus as follows: ‘See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.’

God’s people should put Christ’s words in practice so as to be like the wise man who built his house on the rock. This is the way to walk in wisdom.

We devote a lot of time to Bible Study in order to gain knowledge, but the pertinent question is: ‘do we apply this knowledge? Wisdom is the application of knowledge. If we fail to apply our knowledge of the scriptures, we will be nothing short of information gatherers!

‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.’ Matthew 7:24-27

Prayer

Thank You Holy Father for the wisdom that comes from You. We ask that You enable us to walk with You in a wise manner, dutifully applying the tenets of Your words to every aspect of our lives on a day to day basis. Our prayer is in Your Son’s glorious name.