Is It Possible to Be Too Cautious?

Do you think of yourself as being creative? Jesus’ thoughts on creativity and accountability are revealed in his Parable of the Talents. An employer entrusted $10,000 to an employee, $5,000 to another and $1,000 to someone else. The first two doubled their investments, but the third refused to trust his marketplace skills. He was promptly terminated.

The fired employee was accused of being too cautious, lazy, and wicked. Jesus’ parable defines accountability. What has been entrusted into your care intellectually, physically, and spiritually are gifts to be invested in God’s kingdom here on earth.

Creativity motivates you to seek the limits of your giftedness. God’s gift to each believer is faith and trust, which enable you to push out from what is known, to discover opportunities to serve Jesus Christ in new and exciting ways. 

So stay alert and be ready.

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Be careful, then, how your live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 

~Ephesians 5:15-16 New International Version 

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Can Procrastination Be Overcome?

Procrastination! We hate the tendency in ourselves to procrastinate. Apparently, procrastination is a big problem for lots of people. When we procrastinate, we tend to get bogged down in passivity, so procrastinating steals away our time.

What commitment or goals are you ignoring because you feel inadequate or ill-equipped for a task?  Listen to Ephesians 5:15-16 for becoming the person God intended. “Be careful how your live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.”

God promises to help those who take responsibility to do what is right. The first step is realizing and accepting the fact that you must have God’s help to be successful. 2 Corinthians 6:2 is clear-cut: “Now is the time of God’s favor; now is the day of salvation.” Ask Jesus for help so you can achieve what he intends for you to be and do.           

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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.

~Colossians 3:23 New International Version

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Why Is It Important Never to Tolerate Evil?

Criticism is often linked to cynicism, primarily because of the negative attitudes of a person trying to cope with the pressures and stressors of life. Cynicism projects a distrust for the motives, goodness, or sincerity of others. Triggering cynicism is a sarcastic attitude.

The message of cynicism is that people are basically bad and the only way to cope with problems is through power struggles and criticism. In this mindset it’s obvious that criticism and cynicism produce unhappiness and trouble in what could be loving relationships.

An alternative to pessimism and criticism is seeking clear, positive corrections and solutions to a negative mindset. Listen, as Psalm 101:2 provides the option. “I will behave wisely and live a pure life. I will never tolerate evil.” 

God instructs us to model his grace and mercy in place of being critical or cynical, so be careful how you live.  

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Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

~Ephesians 5:15-16 New International Version

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Temptation As a Thief

Temptation has been described as a criminal who lurks in the background, determined to rob us of our treasures. Temptation may, however, confront us disguised as a friend whose only desire is to give us joy and pleasure. And yet temptation also may be identified as an opportunity that once was perceived as untouchable.

We’re often tempted to equate idleness with the need to rest and relax. I am not implying that rest and relaxation aren’t warranted after a day’s work or on the weekend, but some folks accept laziness as a way of life. An old proverb portrays laziness as the devil's workshop because it opens the door to temptations.

The opposite of idleness is an obsession for busyness to the point of neglecting your health and relationships. Excessive busyness steals away energy that should be devoted to God, family, friends, and rest. Insight and strength are the resources God provides for escaping temptation. Are you available?  

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Therefore, see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.  

~Ephesians 5:15-16 Amplified Bible

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Redeeming the Time

Strong passions are fueled by powerful visions of possibilities, and if those passions are not for selfish gain, God blesses our efforts. The apostle Paul was captured by passion to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire Roman Empire. Because of this passion, he refused to be overpowered by the forces of evil.  

Paul was proud of those who responded to the gospel message. They became the framework for the churches he established. He accredited everything to Jesus, who empowered him with patience even while in prison where he faithfully redeemed the time by writing letters of encouragement to those infant churches he had established. 

God’s amazing love permits us to use our days to accomplish whatever our selfish passions can devise. However, it must pain God to observe us using our time for what is fleeting or transitory. Because of his grace and mercy, he gives us opportunities to change directions and make our lives count for what is eternal. 

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Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

~Ephesians 5:15-16 Berean Study Bible

 

Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word. Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good. Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place.

~Proverbs 16:1-3 The Message

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Choose to Control Your Weaknesses: God Will Help - Part 1

It's never been easy to live the Christian life. Every age has enticements that instigate sorrow and pain. There’s something about the human spirit that will flirt with what is tempestuous. God's Word consistently warns us about evil forces that destroy our happiness. A catchy news magazine article focused on the vulnerabilities of children and teenagers.

Children are not the only ones influenced by evil predators. Addiction to pornography is a worldwide adult scourge. Searching for excitement to substitute for the ordinary realities of life drives a person to flirt with evil. This flirtation makes individuals vulnerable to deception.

In Numbers 22 Balaam allows himself to be deceived and then to do what God warned him not to do. Evil gained a powerful foothold in his heart and soul.  Listen to St. Paul’s challenge. "Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every godly opportunity because the days are evil." These words are from God and are wonderful advice.