The word "circumspect" is derived from two Latin words circum , round about + specere, spectus , to look. The Greek word "acribos" conveys the idea of precision and accuracy, that is, to walk carefully, looking all around for various dangers hidden or visible, observing all sides, like going up to the top or summit, to get a clear picture of the situation. It is "to walk cautiously, sensitively, as a person would walk through thorny terrain." Yes, look how exactly you walk!

The Christian life is a walk with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. "Walk" implies progress and direction: a forward and upward walk. It is not earth-bound but heaven-bound. As Christians, we cannot remain static because we are supposed to advance in our spiritual life. We are exhorted to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

As believers, we ought to watch carefully how we conduct ourselves in the world. The unbelievers are more interested in looking at our walk than hearing our talk. You and I are "living epistles" to be read by them as we daily come into contact with them. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). So let us "walk our talk."

Paul exhorted us to walk wisely, "not as fools." Not like the rich fool in the parable related by Jesus in Luke chapter 12:13-21. He was making plans for every contingency in life except death. He put time before eternity; he put the kingdom of pleasure and possession before the Kingdom of God; he put material things before spiritual things. The wise person will remember God. David said, "LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am" (Psalm 39: 4).

There was an old gentleman, who towards the close of his busy and successful career, wisely said, "I think there are three questions that will be put to us in the Day of Judgment:

1. "Did you make all you could?"

2. "How did you make it?"

3. "What use did you make of it?"

How would you and I answer such questions if they should be posed to us? It would be too late for us to do anything when we appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ when each one of us has to give an account of what we did with what we had while we were on earth. Yes, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools," There are many fools in the Bible and in the world. (Matthew 7:26; 25:2; Luke 12:13-21; Romans 1:22).

Many people in this life, including some Christians, are thinking and planning for this life as if they are going to live on earth forever. In so doing, they tend to forget about the life hereafter. In thinking of time, they somehow forget about eternity. In thinking of the future, they somehow forget about their mortality. As Christians we must not get so caught up with material possessions that we get possessed by them, instead of using them for the Kingdom of God and others in need. As we get more and more occupied with ourselves, our pleasures and possessions, we become less and less occupied with things of eternal value. We fail to live with eternity’s values in view. Jesus said, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15). He also asked, "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36 see also Luke 12:15; Matthew 16:26).

Any time anyone leaves God out in his thinking, in his planning, he is doing something that is foolish indeed. The fool will act as if there is no God. (See Psalms l4: l; 43:1).

Solomon, the wisest man on earth, said, "Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom, and with all thy getting, get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7). The word "sophos" is probably derived from the Hebrew word "sophim" signifying watchmen. In the Old Testament, watchmen used to ascend to the mountains so that they might see all around. The Greek word "sophia" means wisdom, a right application of knowledge.

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise." Basically, it means that a wise person knows how to regulate his life in accordance with God’s will. This is to walk in wisdom, in God’s wisdom which is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17). James said, "If any of you lack wisdom (sophia), let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).

This means making the most of every opportunity, buying up the opportunities, buying up lost time, using it to the best advantage, availing yourselves of the occasion for doing that which is good like witnessing for Christ. Paul said, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9; 1Corinthians15:58; 2Thessalonians 3:13).As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10; John 9:4; Ephesians 2:19).

Our English word "opportunity" comes from the Latin word "opportunus" "ob - toward + portus - port, harbour, literally, of the wind blowing towards the harbour or port, meaning ‘favourable’ or ‘appropriate’. It suggests a ship’s captain taking advantage of the wind and tide to arrive safely in the harbour, hence the right time, the convenient time. "We should not wait for opportunity to fall on our laps, but should buy it up! Not counting the cost" (William Hendricksen).

The wise "make a judicious use of their time." The apostle Paul considered it foolish to waste time, to fritter it away. He advocated buying back, every precious wasted minute, because he understood that God has made us stewards over our most irreplaceable possession-TIME. We are to be good stewards of our time, using it wisely, constructively, and in the worship and service of our Lord.

"Procrastination is the thief of time." Let’s turn away from procrastination and other things that rob our precious time with the Lord. It is said that "squandering time is throwing away a part of your life." "An idle mind is the devil’s workshop". (See Proverbs 6:6-11; 10:26; 13:4; 24:30-34).

The reason is the brevity and uncertainty of life. This is a strong argument for making the best use of every appropriate opportunity. Solomon said, "Boast not thyself of tomorrow: for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth" (Proverbs 27:l). James said, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away" (James 4:14). So let us use time wisely.

In Paul’s time this meant that Roman persecution was on the way (See 1 Peter 4:12-19). The evils during his time were great and so Paul communicated his sense of urgency because evil was pervasive then (looking at the preaching context in Ephesians 4:14, 17-19, 25-31; 5:3-7, 10-12; cf. Romans l:18-32; 13:ll-14; l Corinthians 7:29; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Colossians 4:5).

We, too, need the same sense of urgency, if not more, because our days are also trying, as we daily witness increasing deception and apostasy. We have to "earnestly contend for the faith" without being contentious (Jude 3). We must keep our standards high, act wisely, and do good wherever and whenever we can.

Besides all these, there is also increasing violence and lawlessness in our society today. Immorality is rampant and waxing worse and worse. Crime rates are soaring daily. Terrorism is on a global scale and unstoppable; the network of evil is spreading fast. There is ethnic cleansing, sectarianism, civil war, genocide, etc. There is increasing tension in the Middle East, from day to day with no signs of truce, let alone peace. Earthquakes in diverse places, widespread pestilences, etc. (See Matthew 24:3-14).

There is no real peace because they have not made peace with the One who is the Author and Giver of Peace, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Are we not living in the last day of the last days? Are we not witnessing history’s final hour through the signs of the times? Are they not dawning upon us, drawing us closer and closer to our finest hour, preparing us for the imminent return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lord‘s. This is our Blessed Hope. Maranatha!

Paul’s exhortation to the Christians at Ephesus, and to us is:

This means "not to be without reflection or understanding because the days are evil, that is, the danger was so great, the wickedness, so appalling, the opportunity, so precious, constant watchfulness, unwavering zeal are so necessary." (W.Hendricksen). Therefore don’t rely on your own acumen (See Proverbs 3:5-6), but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Since the present age is so morally depraved, we as Christians must clearly understand "what the will of the Lord is." It is a mark of wisdom to seek God’s will for our lives, so that we may plan our lives, our days, making use of opportunities wisely. We are exhorted to "number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).

"But understanding what the will of the Lord is."

God has given us a mind to discover and do His will, as revealed in His Word. It is a day to day thing. We have to use our minds in order to understand what God’s will for our individual lives is, as our minds are transformed, through the meditating upon His Word, and through prayer, worship and fellowship.

You must search the Scriptures daily, and through the study of His Word, God will equip you to know and live out His perfect plan for your life.

You must sincerely desire to do His will. This is an act of faith. (Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). George Truett once said, "To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge. To do the will of God is the greatest achievement." To know God’s will is important, but it is more important to do it. (1 John 3:18).

George Muller’s advice to those who desire to know and do God’s will:

Let us therefore walk circumspectly and worthy of our vocation (Ephesians 4: 1-3) by living: