Unwise or Understanding - Part 1

“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:17

Do not be unwise, we are told in this verse. And in context from Ephesians 5 we see that the days are evil so we are expected and commanded and empowered to walk carefully, not as fools but wise so that we may redeem the time to God’s glory. So what does it mean to be unwise, since we are admonished “Do not be unwise”?

To be unwise according to the Scriptures would be to:

1. Corrupt yourself with sin and perversion (Deut. 32:5-6)
2. Store up iniquity and sin (Hosea 13:12-13)
3. Despise godly instruction (Prov 1:7)
4. Be proud, thinking yourself self-sufficient (Prov 11:2)
5. Despise your neighbor instead of loving him (Prov 11:12)
6. Scoff at God and His Word (Prov 14:6)
7. Think God is wrong (Prov 21:30)
8. Fail to discipline or be disciplined (Prov 29:15)
9. Be wise in the ways of the world (1 Cor. 1:20)
10. Be wise in the power of your own flesh (2 Cor 1:12)
11. Seek Wisdom from anyone but God (James 1:5)

If you do any of these things you violate the verse we are studying! Do not be unwise. Instead be WISE Keep yourself from sin by faith and obedience. Confess iniquity and sin as soon as you are convicted of it in your life instead of “storing it up.” Listen to godly instruction, for in the multitude of counselors there is safety Proverbs tells us. Be humble, for God gives grace to the humble but resists the proud. Love your neighbors as yourself and God with everything you are! Do not scoff (jeer or mock, make light of) at God’s Word, instead treasure every Word! Understand that God cannot lie and is perfect in His holiness. He is never wrong. Respond humbly to discipline and discipline your children to spare them from being unwise. Be “simple concerning evil” (Romans 16:19). Depend on God by crucifying your flesh – have “no confidence in the flesh” (Phil. 3:3). Ask for wisdom from God. Do these things daily and you will will not be unwise!