Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Ephesians 5:17

When I read Ephesians 5:17, I hear echoes from my past. “Mark, don’t be foolish,” my mom would say. Or, perhaps she’d declare: “Mark, use your head.” I’d hear these exhortations when I was tempted to do something silly, to do something I knew I shouldn’t do. Perhaps I was mad at a friend who had hurt my feelings and was tempted to get revenge. “Don’t be foolish,” my mom would advise me. Some of the time I’d follow her advice; sometimes not. But, as I grew up, I realized that being foolish might feel good for a moment, but it generally led to uncomfortable consequences, if not outright disastrous ones.

When my mom said, “Mark, don’t be foolish,” she wasn’t giving me orders. She wasn’t telling me exactly how to live my life. She wasn’t suggesting that I was an idiot who needed parental guidance to live well. On the contrary, “Don’t be foolish” assumed that I had a choice and that I could make the right choice if I thought carefully about my actions. “Don’t be foolish” was directive, but not debilitating. It was empowering, even encouraging. I could use my head. I could do what was right.

Ephesians 5:17 reads, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Though we live in days dominated by evil, though we once lived under the power of darkness, though we were once governed by our own sinful desires, Christ has set us free. Through him, we can live, “not as unwise but as wise” (5:15). We can choose not to be foolish.

Of course, as fallible people, we won’t always make wise choices. We will be tempted by foolishness and sometimes give in. But, as we live in Christ, as we are guided by the Spirit, we can learn to say “no” to folly and “yes” to wisdom. This is good news, news I need to hear today. What about you?

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: When you were growing up, did you ever hear something like “Don’t be foolish” from your parents or other adults in your life? When are you tempted to be foolish? What helps you to choose wisdom over folly?

PRAYER: Gracious God, thank you for the reminder from your Word: “Don’t be foolish.” I confess, Lord, that sometimes I am tempted to reject this advice. Especially when I’m angry or hurt, folly looks pretty inviting. Forgive me when I indulge my reckless desires. Help me, I pray, to know when I need to step back, to stop reacting and think. By your grace, help me not to be foolish, but to choose the way of wisdom.

Even this day, Lord, as I do my work, as I interact with my colleagues, as I spend money, as I make plans, may I not be foolish. Give me wisdom, I pray, as well as the ability to heed it. Amen.