“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:15-17 ESV)

God’s wisdom defined

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 ESV)

Ask God for it

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5 ESV)

Act wisely by hearing and doing God’s Word

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24 ESV)

Therefore…

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” (Col. 4:5 ESV)

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13 ESV)

“If you carefully obey the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart and soul, then he will send the rains in their proper seasons—the early and late rains—so you can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil. He will give you lush pastureland for your livestock, and you yourselves will have all you want to eat.” (Deut. 21:13-15 NLT)

According to the above passage, blessings come from doing the following things

• Carefully obey the commands of the Lord
• Love the Lord with all your heart
• Serve him with all your heart and soul

The blessings you will will receive from God

• He will send rain in their proper seasons—the early and late rains.
• You can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil.
• He will give you lush pastureland for your livestock.
• You will have all you want to eat.

Put God first and delight yourself in Him

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33 NASB)

“Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4 NASB)

“A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” (Prov. 16:28 ESV)

Gossip: to reveal personal or sensational tales or secrets about others; blab, dish, talk, tattle, backchat, cackle, chitchat, confabulation, gab, jangle, jaw, to schmooze.

A gossiper slanders and reveals secrets

“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” (Prov. 11:13 ESV)

Commands and warnings about slandering others

“You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.” (Lav. 9:16 ESV)

“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.” (Exo. 23:1 ESV)

“Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.” (Psalm 101:5 ESV)

Use only talk that builds others up with grace

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29 ESV)

“To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (Titus 3:2 ESV)

“Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.” (Psalm 141:10 ESV)

Trap: A stratagem for catching or tricking an unwary person. A confining or undesirable circumstance from which escape or relief is difficult.

“You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.” (Psalm 31:4 ESV)

Watch yourself!

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.” (Luke 21:34 ESV)

Do not believe every spirit!

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 ESV)

They set a net for your steps

“They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves.” (Psalm 57:6 ESV)

Jesus delivers you from present evil

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Gal. 1:3-5 ESV)

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I  press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  (Phil. 3:13-14 NIV)

Singleness of purpose

Someone has said, “The way to kill a man’s vision, is to give him two visions.” That’s so true! The secret to being successful is to have singleness of purpose and to stay focussed on what God  has created you to do. The apostle Paul said, “This one thing I do.” Paul knew that He was to do one thing, to “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Ultimately, like Paul, we are to put God first in everything we do and then things will fall into place as we  go along.

Put God first in everything

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33 ESV)

God appointed you to bear fruit

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16 NIV)

God will make it happen

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thess. 5:24 NIV)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28 NIV)

“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:15-16 ESV)

Worldly: relating to, or devoted to, the temporal world,  the condition of being concerned with worldly affairs, especially to the neglect of spiritual things.

Do not love the world or things

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 ESV)

Worldly people, devoid of the Spirit

“It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.” (Jude 1:19 ESV)

Renounce ungodliness and worldly passions

“Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” (Titus 2:12 ESV)

Be transformed

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV)

Set your mind on things above

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:2 ESV)

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:5 NLT)

Someone has said

“You aren’t what you think you are, but, what you think, you are.” In other words, if your thinking is dominated on sinful things, you are carnal and not pleasing God. If, on the other hand, your thoughts are controlled by the Holy Spirit and you think about Spiritual things, you then please the Spirit. It is important to know that you do have control over what you think about. Thoughts are like birds, they may fly over your head, but you don’t have to let them build a nest in your hair! When you get a negative thought, recognize it for what it is and then bring it under control. Also, remember that your thoughts are effected by what you feed your mind with. If you listen to music with sin-filled messages and you watch R-rated movies, your thoughts will be filled with those things. If you listen to praise music, fill your mind with God’s Word by reading and studying the Bible, you will develop a Spiritual mind.

Take every thought captive to obey Christ

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” (2 Cor. 10:3-6 ESV)

Renew your mind

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV)

Think about good things

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil. 4:8 ESV)

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32 ESV)

Kindness benefits you

“A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.” (Prov. 11:17 ESV)

Put on compassionate hearts

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Col. 3:12 ESV)

Therefore…

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” (Luke 6:35 ESV)

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1 Pet. 3:8 ESV)

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)

His lovingkindness is everlasting

“O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (1 Chron. 16:34 NASB)

His kindness is meant to lead us to repentance

“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4 ESV)

We are examples of His incredible kindness

“God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:7 NLT)