Be Very Careful

Mike Johnson

Ephesians 5:8-14 emphasizes the importance of walking in the light, as opposed to darkness (9), which manifests itself in goodness, righteousness, and truth. Paul tells them they were to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (11). Verses 15-16 then admonishes, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

What does it mean to walk circumspectly? The Greek word translated “circumspectly” (NKJV) is also rendered by such terms as “accurately,” “carefully,” and “diligently.” The NASB says, “Therefore be careful how you walk.” Paul wanted the Ephesians to be very careful and act as wise people instead of fools, since they were living in perilous times.

Why do Christians need to be so careful? It is because of the possibility of a child of God falling from grace.  Paul knew even he could miss heaven. In 1 Corinthians 9:27, he said, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (Note also 1 Cor. 10:12, Gal. 5:4, 2 Pet. 1:5-11, Heb. 3:12-14, 5:4-6; Rev. 3:6.) As Christ told the church at Smyrna, it is necessary to be “faithful unto death” to obtain the “crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).  Thus, our eternal salvation is at stake.

A driver, due to carelessness, may drift off the highway and have a wreck. Similarly, Christians can drift off the road to heaven (Mt. 7:13-14). The book of Hebrews encourages people not to stray. Hebrews 2:1 warns, “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”

Today, we often see people suffer due to carelessness. However, the ultimate consequence of neglect will be to miss heaven (Heb. 4:1). Christians today need to be very careful. Do you want to go to heaven? If so, remember Paul’s admonition when he told us to be wise and very careful, as we live in dangerous times, surrounded by evil.