Be Careful of Your Steps

Be Careful of your Steps!

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). 

The word “circumspectly” is an interesting word. Some translations render it “look carefully”. 

According to Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, the original Greek word is akribos. It is used 13 times in the New Testament. It is variously translated in those other New Testament places as “accurately”, “carefully”, “diligently”, and “circumspectly”. 

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words states that the word “expresses the 'accuracy' which is the outcome of carefulness.”

That one word tells us a lot about our Christian walk. We see that we are to be accurate, careful in how we live. 

While on the hills at the camp I attend each summer, I have learned a little more what this word means. Through certain circumstances I found myself outside my cabin, walking barefoot on a steep part of a hill that is covered in rocks of all sizes. Those of us “tenderfoots” know what that is like. I thought I could just start walking, but my soft feet and my extra weight helped me decide quickly that I had to be very careful where I placed my feet! I can say with all certainty that I learned what it meant to walk carefully and accurately in a physical sense!

We need to learn to walk in such a way spiritually. We must be careful where we place our feet— careful that we stay on the path, careful of any obstacles in our way and of dangers that can come upon us. What we are discussing is not just common sense things but those things the Bible teaches us.

Some people seem to care very little about doctrines of the Bible. God clearly is concerned about what we believe. Beliefs have consequences—even those beliefs we think are harmless. They may lead to great problems. They might lead others to difficulties. We must be careful about what we believe and what we follow.

Paul said that failing to walk carefully/diligently/accurately/circumspectly is foolish and a waste of our time. We should use our time wisely by learning and following the Bible. The days are evil. Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Let us be wise and follow the will of the Lord in all things! Allow the Word of God to permeate and rule in your life. 

Here are some simple, common-sense ways to help you watch your steps:

Study the Bible.

Daily reading and serching the Scriptures is the best way for you to grow.

Meditate on the Bible.

Find ways to creatively apply what you learn. Without application, the Bible will not make much of a difference in your life. Without thought, it will be very difficult to find applications that are helpful. (Thoughtful meditation also helps prevent you from "finding" things you already wanted to see there.)

Pray about decisions you make.

Prayer helps you align your motives and priorities. God is there and He does care. He is willing to aid those who come to Him.

Listen to the advice of wiser men and women.

Sometimes we don't want to hear it, but others do have perspectives that we might not have. They have knowledge and wisdom that we might not have attained at this point. Being open to the advice of other wise individuals is a great way to grow! And if you find a wise person who is willing to take the time (and risk) to share wisdom with you, you are indeed blessed!

Make decisions based on priorities and principles established by the Bible, not feelings and whims.

It is easy to go by our gut reaction. We tend to think that we have some power within us that allows us to automatically make the right decisions in life simply by instinct. Your instinct might do well for saving you from physical or emotional harm, but it is usually a poor guide for growth. It is usually good for defense, not offense. This is one of the reasons Jeremiah said, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9).

Choose between good, better, and best.

Consider this article on an event involving Mary and Martha. Sometimes making good choices has nothing to do with good and evil. Sometimes it is all about deciding between what is good, better, and best.

What do you think? Tell us some things you do so that you step carefully.

Busy, But Missing What is Most Important

Martha was busy missing what was most important

Mary and Martha were followers of Jesus. They hosted the Lord one day and as Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, Martha busied herself with serving her guests. (Find this in Luke 10:38-42.)

Martha soon became irritated with Mary because she was ignoring her responsibilities to her guests. She complained to Jesus and hinted that Jesus should rebuke her sister, Mary, and send her off to serve her guests. But Jesus saw it another way.

Jesus said that Mary actually chose wisely. Martha was the one with the problem. It is not wrong to serve guests, but some better activity could have been chosen. She had Jesus in her house but instead of sitting to learn from Him, she busied herself with many worries and troubles.

Martha was still in the vicinity of Jesus. She was walking all around and serving diligently. But she missed the most important thing. She failed to realize why she was there in the first place.

Men, when you serve in worship, remember not to get caught up in the serving to the exclusion of the purpose. I fight this as a preacher. Most of the activities we do in worship are completed before I speak. It is a great temptation to be like Martha and fret or worry over what I'm about to say. I find myself reviewing notes instead of thinking about the song I just sang. 

It is much worse when people are nervous and afraid of being up in public. For you men who lead prayer or serve at the Lord's Table and are nervous, try to put such fears from your mind and remember why you are there serving in the first place.

The same certainly applies to you ladies too, in different contexts.

There are often things that go on in church buildings surrounding the worship of God - things that tend to take away from our worship. These things could be something simple like an upcoming meal that needs to be heated. Instead of fretting and worrying and leaving early, remember why you are there in the first place. If people have to wait five more minutes for a meal so that you can worship God and get all you can out of the short time in the assembly, then they can just wait five more minutes!

Whatever it is that takes our minds off God needs to be set aside when we come to worship Him. Don't be Martha. It may make you feel more spiritual to be active and fretting over things, but it does nothing for your relationship with God.

Mary chose the good part. What will you choose?