The Time – The Presidential Prayer Team

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15-16

The concept of time is one that is both very simple and very complex. On one hand, time is an easy concept to understand—minutes, hours, days, etc. On the other hand, the understanding of time as a specific moment or season can get incredibly complex, especially the deeper you think about it. This is why fictional stories about people traveling through time or manipulating time are so popular. But what does time have to do with the Christian life?

The ancient Greeks had two different words that they used for “time.” One was for the simple idea of hours and days. The other referred more to a specific portion of time, when something was expected to happen. These two distinctions have been translated into English as time and the time, respectively. The word used in Ephesians 5:16 is not referring to hours and minutes. As such, Paul isn’t writing here to tell people to make the most of every moment, although it is good advice.

Instead, Paul issued a challenge to the Ephesians to seize every opportunity they had for the glory of Jesus. He knew, as Jesus did, that there will come a time when Jesus returns to put an end to the evil things of the world forever. Those that are wise, then, seek to understand the will of God (verse 17) and live differently than fools.

Are you making the best use of the time that you have? Ask God to lead you in His will. As you pray for more wisdom to best use your time, remember to also pray this over those in positions of authority.

Today’s Verse: Ephesians 5:15-16

¹⁵Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Matthew 24:1-14

24 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. ²But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

³As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” ⁴And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. ⁵For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. ⁶And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. ⁷For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

⁹“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. ¹⁰And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. ¹²And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ¹⁴And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.