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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 277

"Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Text: Ephesians 5:17

THEREFORE

Once again, we come across the familiar inferential particle “therefore” (Another expression in the Greek is “dia touto”. The idea behind this phrase may be translated literally as, “because of this reason”. The full flavour may be expressed in this manner. “Because the days are evil, and because time is limited, and thus it must be redeemed, therefore…”)

DO NOT BE UNWISE

The word translated “wise” in Ephesians 5:15 is “sophos.” Essentially, this substantive describes “a wise person”. The word used in Ephesians 5:17 is not the same word. The word Paul used here is “aphrones”. The derivative is “unwise”. However the essence of this word points to the problem of the individual not using his intellectual faculties sufficiently. The unwise person is the individual who is not using his mind to understand and interpret the time he is living in.

In Paul’s understanding, “the days are evil”. His reasons are obvious:-

1. He had come to understand how hard the Evil One had worked to influence the world.

2. He had seen how people could indulge in sin.

3. He had seen the ravages of sin in many broken lives.

How should the believer live in this fallen world? He must first understand this world he is living in. He would then understand why this age is an evil one indeed.

BUT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS

Paul always urged his readers to use their minds to think through their beliefs. He himself sought to reason from the Scriptures all the time (Cf. Acts 17:2-3; 18:4). The word “understand” (“suniete”) places emphasis on the need to comprehend through reasoning.

1. The Will of God

The will of God must be discerned. It will not be discernible to the person who will not seek to comprehend His will. The will of God will be discovered in and through the careful study of the Scriptures.

2. Discernment of God’s will

We would make better use of our time when we give priority to discover the will of God first. It is only when we discover the will of God that we would be able to obey it more completely. Every believer should be encouraged to search and discover the will of God, if he truly desires to live bountifully.