Articles
Walk Carefully
If you spend very much time being with children, you have probably stepped on Lego pieces. “I thought I told you to pick these up!” is always yelled while the parent is hopping on one foot. Aware of this treacherous situation, parents all around the globe walk carefully, lest they step on a small brick.
It is wise to walk carefully. People who do not walk carefully along the coast have been known to step on a jellyfish or stingray. People who do not walk carefully through a construction site have been known to step on nails or into holes. People who do not walk carefully on the farm have been known to step into things, too.
Ephesians 5:15 encourages us to watch where we step. We read there, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.” The King James Version and the New King James Version use the phrase, “walk circumspectly.” If you look up the word circumspectly in a dictionary, you will find that it means to do something in a way which is not risky. The word has the idea of going around in a circle, considering all the potentially dangers areas.
This is the way we should our lives. Some people are thrill-seekers. They live for the adrenaline rush. They want to see how close they can get to danger without being hurt. It could be argued that this is not a good lifestyle in regard to the health of the body. And certainly, when it comes to the health of the soul, we should not see how close we can get to danger. Instead, we should walk cautiously and wisely.
As we walk the path of following Jesus, we must walk with wisdom, keeping our eyes peeled for potential hazards. If we don’t walk carefully, we might trip or cause someone else to trip (Matthew 18:7). We might follow the wrong leader and fall into a pit (Matthew 15:14). We might step into a snare (1 Timothy 6:9).
Ephesians 5 goes on to say, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). This verse is a contrast. It sets up two possible choices. One possible scenario: We can be foolish. But there is another path. The other possible scenario: We can understand what the will of the Lord is.
The will of the Lord is understandable, guiding our way. When walking along a treacherous path, one of the best things we can do is turn on the light. Scripture provides us with light for the journey. It will illumine various scenarios and possible directions, showing us the safest route. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
In order to arrive at our desired destination, we must walk carefully. Let’s watch where we step this week.
