Latest Devotion
Are You Living Wisely?
By: Kelly Russell
Friday, December 19, 2025
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise. Ephesians 5:15
If someone asked you today, “Are you living wisely?”, how confident would you feel answering? Culture often measures “living wisely” by material possessions, personal gratification, or professional achievement. But Scripture points us to the standard of a life grounded in Christ.
In Ephesians 5, Paul reminds us that the world is filled with deceptions and temptations. Because of this, he urges believers to examine their lives to be sure their conduct aligns with the faith they profess. If we aren’t mindful of worldly influences, we can easily be led to paths of unrighteousness.
This passage continues by contrasting two lifestyles, the foolish and the wise. Being "wise" is inseparable from the way we actually live. Spiritual disciplines like prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and surrender train our hearts toward faithfulness. This requires self-control and self-denial because our will is not inclined toward righteousness. Our flesh constantly leads us away from what is wise. That’s why God’s Word is described as “a lamp shining in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19), illuminating the path we wouldn’t naturally choose.
When there is no accountability or direction, disobedience is our default. Sin lies at the door waiting to master us (Genesis 4:7). We can either let sin reign in us (Romans 6:12), or we let peace rule over us (Colossians 3:15). Every one of our sins derails and defiles us, which displeases and dishonors the Lord. Ultimately, sin breaks our fellowship with God. So, obedience is something we must intentionally pursue, one godly choice at a time.
To live wisely, we must be selective about what influences us, which includes:
• Choosing which voices we follow
• Building habits that align with Scripture
• Connecting in Christ-centered community
Wise living means making choices that honor God. It starts with asking God to search our hearts and reveal our secret faults (Psalm 19:12). Learning to revere the Lord is the foundation of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Then, we must be rooted in biblical truth. Knowing and doing the Word cultivates obedience, cultivating obedience forms character, and character leads to living wisely.
Prayer: Open my eyes to the influences around me to help me discern what pulls me away. Guard my heart from the distractions of this world. Search me, Lord, and reveal anything in me that is unwise or unfaithful. Give me a hunger for Your Word and a heart willing to surrender.
Read: Numbers 32 :23, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalm 139:24, Ezekiel 36:27, John 3:6, Colossians 4:5, James 3:13-16