“LOOK CAREFULLY!”

Ephesians 5:15-18                            (ESV)

“15 “LOOK CAREFULLY” THEN HOW YOU WALK, not as unwise but as wise,

16 MAKING THE BEST USE OF THE TIME, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS.

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the SPIRIT,”

Listening to GOD can be an extremely easy thing to accomplish, while at the same time be one of the most difficult things we ever attempt.  Keeping JESUS at the center of our thoughts is one of the most IMPORTANT things we can do. From personal experience, electing to follow our own “heart” can turn out disastrous.  “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds” according to Jeremiah 17:9-10.  

There are times when our hectic schedule and the busyness of “this world” can attempt to “SUPERIMPOSE” itself on our lives, delegating our time and resources to things we really prefer not to be doing.  Why do we (mainly I) allow the enemy to deceive us (me) when my eyes have been opened to TRUTH?  UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS should be something we desire IF we have intentions of acting as Believers.  Acting the “way we were born” is a demonstration of living a life that has not been regenerated, or BORN AGAIN (John 3:3)!  When we “LOOK CAREFULLY” THEN HOW WE WALK, we should be exhibiting characteristics of a NEW MAN (Ephesians 4:20-24), created in righteousness and holiness of the TRUTH! 

Scripture says in many places that we MUST experience a CHANGE in our lifestyle when we are “drawn” to HIM.  John 8:31 (KJV) says “Then said JESUS to those Jews that Believed on HIM, “IF he continue in MY Word, THEN are ye my disciples indeed;”!  Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto ME, LORD, LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of MY FATHER which is in Heaven.  Many will say to ME in that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in THY name? and in THY name have cast out devils? and in THY name done many WONDERFUL WORKS?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY.”  The WORKS we perform are only an indication that we have been BORN AGAIN.  They are NOT meant as a payment for our sins!  That would indicate that we are assisting HIM with HIS FINISHED WORK!  

Upon the Exodus from Egypt, the Children of Israel were provided a PILLAR OF CLOUD by day, and a PILLAR OF FIRE by night to guide them in the way they should be going.  They didn’t have to “LOOK CAREFULLY” to discover when they got outside of their cover.  The intense heat of the desert would let them know!!  When we become accustomed to our own PILLAR OF CLOUD, the HOLY SPIRIT, leading our lives, we should also become very uncomfortable when we step outside of HIS protection.  How about you?  Do you “LOOK

 CAREFULLY” at your FRUITS???