Are you living with purpose, or are you letting time slip away without meaning?
Bible Verse
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)
Devotion
Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:15-16 serve as a wake-up call to every believer. He urges us to be intentional about how we live, instructing us to walk wisely, not carelessly or thoughtlessly. In biblical wisdom literature, walking is often a metaphor for how one lives their life (Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 4:26). Paul’s telling us to evaluate our steps, to live deliberately, and to recognize that each moment has significance. The unwise drift through life without direction, but the wise understand that every choice, every habit, and every relationship shapes their spiritual journey.
The phrase “making the best use of the time” can also be translated as “redeeming the time.” The Greek word for “time” here is kairos, which refers not just to the passing of minutes but to opportunities - God-given moments that must be seized. To redeem time means to take hold of every opportunity for the glory of God, refusing to waste what he’s given us. This echoes the wisdom of Psalm 90:12, where Moses prays, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Recognizing the brevity of life shouldn’t lead to despair but to a deep sense of purpose.
Paul’s warning that “the days are evil” reminds us that we live in a fallen world where distractions, temptations, and sin constantly compete for our attention. If we aren’t intentional, we’ll be swept along by the culture’s priorities rather than God’s. The world tells us to chase after pleasure, comfort, and personal success, but Scripture calls us to seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Walking wisely means resisting passivity and making choices that align with God’s will, whether in how we use our time, invest in relationships, or pursue holiness.
Living wisely and redeeming the time doesn’t mean filling our schedules with endless busyness. It means aligning our lives with what truly matters - our walk with Christ, our calling, and our impact on others. Jesus modeled this perfectly; though his earthly ministry lasted only three years, he accomplished exactly what the Father sent him to do (John 17:4). When we live with the same intentionality, we ensure that our lives are not wasted but invested in what lasts for eternity.
Key Principle
Wisdom is living with intentionality, recognizing that time is a gift from God to be used for his purposes rather than wasted on things that don’t last.
Personal Reflection Question
Are you using your time in ways that align with God’s priorities, or are you being distracted by things that have no lasting value? What changes do you need to make to ensure that you’re living wisely and redeeming the time?
Action Step
Take time today to reflect on how you are using your time. Identify one area where you need to be more intentional - whether in your spiritual life, relationships, or personal growth - and set a practical step to align it with God’s purposes.
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