"Be careful, then, how you live..."
Deeper Dive
As we kick off 2025, we may need to be reminded of how to live. Yes, we are still kicking the year off because January may have felt like it lasted 97 days.
Be very careful, then, how you live... Ephesians 5.15
The Bible is always a wonderful place to begin on this topic. The writings of the apostle Paul are one of my favorite resources for lessons on living and being, in Christ. Other New Testament writers certainly provide good instruction, too, but Paul’s teaching is abundant.
Did you know the book of Ephesians is quite like Colossians (also written by the apostle Paul)? In fact, seventy-eight verses between the two books are almost identical.1 I mention this because the repetition of Paul’s teaching helps to establish its importance for Christians.
To say the book of Ephesians is rich would be an understatement. One commentary describes Ephesians as “the real thing” and it deserves maximum attention and application.2 Chapters 1-3 center on the identity of believers in the gospel; chapters 4-6 focus on the implications of the gospel, and how to live it every day.3
In your Bible, right before Ephesians 4:17, you may see the heading “Instructions for Christian Living” or similar wording.4 Here in chapter 4, Paul begins to remind the Ephesians on how they should live. Take time to read all of chapters 4 and 5 if you can. Notice how 4.26-27 seems to reiterate what Paul is saying throughout—Do not sin! Do not give the devil a foothold! (Eph. 4.26-27)
Is this still good advice for us today? I think so. Life is a challenge and sometimes hard. We are faced with temptation every day—temptation the devil puts in our way to try to convince us to lean away from God. Reminders in Scripture serve to encourage us to stand firm in our faith.
Instructions on How to Live
The Ephesians section “Instructions for Christian Living” continues all the way to Ephesians 5:20. Note below the instructions the Apostle Paul shared with believers.
Walk in love…as Christ loved us (5.2)
Have among you no hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed… (5.3)
There should be no obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking…but rather thanksgiving… (5.4)
This was clear and straight-forward teaching for New Testament believers. When studying Scripture, we always take into consideration the original audience. They would have understood these words from Paul. (Friend, if this instruction is new to you, try reading in a modern translation of the Bible. See footnote for suggestions.)5
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5.8-10
In Ephesians 5.8-10, Apostle Paul’s words reinforce why Christians are expected to live differently. He relates this to the difference between darkness and light. Paul is speaking figuratively of moral darkness, and an absence of spiritual light and truth.6
What is this spiritual light? To answer this adequately would require an entire essay, and maybe I’ll write it one day. But in summary, spiritual light is the true knowledge of God and spiritual things.7
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity... Ephesians 5.15
As chapter 5 continues, we find additional instructions on how to live. One resource calls this section of Scripture “Christians Living on Target.”8 As you read the following list, keep this in mind.
Be wise… (5.15)
Make the most of every opportunity… (5.16)
Do not be foolish, but understand God’s will. (5.17)
Do not get drunk on wine, but be filled with the Spirit… (5.18)
Join together, with psalms, hymns, and songs… (5.19)
Give thanks to God the Father for everything… (5.20)
“Christians Living on Target”
In putting this essay together to share with you, here’s where I’ve ended up. If we wholeheartedly embrace the words of Ephesians 5.15 for ourselves—“Be very careful, then, how you live…” And if we begin to put into practice the instructions Apostle Paul gave to the early church, we become Christians living on target!
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We carefully navigate the daily life we are living. We seek God’s wisdom, desiring moral discernment and practicality in our decision-making.9
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We do not run foolishly amuck but seek God’s will in all things. Our mind and actions are in control, and we sense God’s voice (and are grateful we’re not out-of-our-minds-drunk and unable to hear Him).
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As Christians living on target, we enjoy time spent among fellow believers. As people filled with the Spirit of God, we are called to be in unity with one another—praising, singing, and rejoicing. And we give thanks to God, at all times and in all things!
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This is how we are to live.
May we take care to remember the treasure of instruction found in God’s Word and live it to the full.
Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible. © 1984, 1990, 2008 by AMG International, Inc., 1560.
The NIV Application Commentary On the Bible. © 2024 Zondervan, 1149.
The Bible Handbook. by The Daily Grace Co., 246
My copy of the New International Version (NIV) © 2011 by Biblica, Inc. has the heading “Instructions for Christian Living”.
If you are interested in a Bible translation with more current language, I suggest the New Living Translation (NLT) or The Message. Try them in the Bible app to get a feel for how they read.
Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible. © 1984, 1990, 2008 by AMG International, Inc., 2275.
Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible. © 1984, 1990, 2008 by AMG International, Inc., 2308.
The NIV Application Commentary On the Bible. © 2024 Zondervan, 1158.
ibid.