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.

Don't Miss Your Biggest Step in Spiritual Growth

Thte Bible is Powerful for Growth

There is nothing like reading the Bible.

I met with a couple of preachers today and we swapped stories of Bible reading "adventures" we have had. Most people would not consider Bible reading to be adventuresome but in a time when so many people have never read the Bible, we tend to overlook the power that is found there.

One of the men told of an elderly gentleman who did not like anyone talking to him about God or church. He was bitter and difficult to get along with. But the preacher asked if he would mind just reading a few passages. The gentleman said that he could not see well enough to read, so the preacher offered to read to him. The idea was that he would simply read without preaching or giving opinions about it. The man agreed. The preacher read to him 5-6 days a week for several weeks. They read through John together. Then they began to read Acts.

When Acts 2 was read the preacher asked, "What do you think of that chapter and all that went on there?" After a small discussion the elderly gentleman was baptized. All of this came not from a sermon or a series of lectures but from simply reading the Word of God.

I heard other stories with similar endings.

God said it, so it should not surprise us. "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).

It turns out that God knows something about human nature. And why shouldn't He? It seems that the way the Bible was written, the words used, the repetition, the illustrations, all of it works together as a powerful influence on a person.

I've seen this in my own life. The more I read and memorize the more I hunger for the Word. I've seen it in the lives of others as well.

We have an event once a month called "Biblepalooza" in which we get together with no other goal than to read the Bible. There are no opinions offered. There are no lectures or comments. The only things that come from our mouths is the chapter number we are reading and God's Word. We don't just read a few chapters and call it a day. We read for HOURS at a time.

Some people think we are crazy. Who reads the Bible for 7 hours straight? We do it regularly. And those who participate LOVE it. Those times together are sobering. The readings produce a reverence for God's Word and leaves us wanting more.

I want to encourage you to read the Bible. This is your biggest step in spiritual growth.

Don't just read a chapter or two. READ. Read as if life is found in those pages - because it is. Read long and read regularly. You will be glad you did.