See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Ephesians 5:15
The wall between the city properties had become a favourite place for the local tomcats to strut and howl. To discourage such behaviour, the owners scattered pieces of broken glass all along the top of the wall. The plan worked, all except for one determined calico tomcat. Moving very carefully, his tail held high, the scruffy tom made his way across the wall. Slowly, he lifted each paw in turn, carefully setting it back down in a spot with no shards of broken glass. He was certainly not strutting, and he was much too preoccupied with his precarious footsteps to favour us with a song. He was walking circumspectly. Just like our text tells us we should walk as Christians.
Our world is full of broken glass that would stop or hinder our walk as Christians. The Bible refers to them as the world, the flesh, and the devil. ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour’ (1 Pet. 5:8). ‘Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul’ (1 Peter 2:11). ‘Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him’ (1 Jn 2:15). If we walk circumspectly, we will heed what the Word of God has to warn us about the enemies that would destroy our walk with God.
Walking circumspectly means being very careful about who we choose for our acquaintances and companions. We do our souls little good to associate with those whose conversation is profane and whose activities are vile. How much better to spend our time with those who love and serve the Lord. Walking circumspectly also means being very careful about what we select for our entertainment and recreation. The world’s books, music, movies, and places of entertainment are saturated with degrading messages and sinfulness. How much better to feed our souls on those things that honour God and His Word. Walking circumspectly also means avoiding the spirit of compromise with error that occupies most of modern-day religion. The closer that all of those organizations get to each other, the further they get from God. How much better to gather with those who follow the teachings of the Word of God and seek to honour the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Walking circumspectly takes care and commitment. If we follow the footsteps of the Lord Jesus, we will do well. -Jim MacIntosh
Here is the link to the video of this message: https://youtu.be/2OYuMjFil-c