See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
To walk circumspectly is to live carefully and wisely instead of foolishly. It means redeeming the time because the days are evil, treating short probationary life as more precious than gold to be used diligently for eternal good and the salvation of others. It means understanding and proving what the will of the Lord is. It means refusing drunkenness and excess and instead being filled with the Spirit, with thanksgiving, spiritual song, and mutual submission in reverence for God. It means living by every word from God's mouth in holiness, humility, meekness and love, bearing the fruit of light in goodness and righteousness and truth while having no fellowship with the works of darkness.
Meaning of Circumspect Walking
The command is to live carefully and wisely rather than foolishly, with careful discernment in conduct, speech and work. For young people this means obeying God's Word rather than acting recklessly for amusement or self-pleasing, and for believers living among heathen communities it means refusing the darkened, empty way of life around them. The wise walk includes using time well because the days are evil, understanding and doing the Lord's will, avoiding drunkenness, being filled with the Spirit, living thankfully toward God, building others up in love, and turning from vain, frivolous speech and pursuits that draw the mind from God. It also means caring for body and mind as belonging to God, preserving them for His service, and resisting surrounding corruption through the Spirit's influence, with the counsel put into practice in institutional life and work.
Wisdom is not merely avoiding wrong acts but doing all the good God requires through His strengthening grace, for which all are held accountable. Those who congratulate themselves for wrongs they do not commit while neglecting good and noble deeds remain fruitless trees in God's garden, registered as cumberers of the ground, accountable for all the good they could have done through His grace strengthening them. Yet even their case is not utterly hopeless, for Christ pleads through long-suffering love for those deceived about their standing before God. The call to walk carefully follows awaking from sleep and rising from death so that Christ will give light, and it includes redeeming the time because the days are evil. By that awakening the church shines God's light, walking as children of light with the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness and righteousness and truth, proving what is acceptable to the Lord and understanding what His will is.
True intelligence makes a person wise unto salvation and leads to a higher standard, while self-conceit shows a foolishness that disqualifies from responsibility. That wise walk stands with walking in love as Christ loved, putting away fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking and jesting, having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but reproving them, being filled with the Spirit, and giving thanks and submitting to one another in the fear of God. It contains lessons for the guidance of every married man and every married woman, requiring searching the heart as with a lighted candle. Walking circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, is a trait of character that opens the gates of the city of God. That walk means bearing the fruit of the Spirit, proving what is acceptable to the Lord, reproving darkness rather than fellowshipping it, redeeming the time because the days are evil, understanding the Lord's will, and refusing drunkenness wherein is excess.
Use of wine or tobacco is not essential to Christian growth, and indulgence in intoxicating liquor places a person wholly under the control of the demon who devised this stimulant to deface and destroy the moral image of God. Instead of drink, the wise walk is to be filled with the Spirit, speaking in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. In evil days amid Satan's deceptions the wise walk requires staying spiritually alert and discerning God's will, and in California this means drawing near to God for spiritual sight to recognize Satan's snares. Because Satan will make every effort to tear up the foundation of faith in the third angel's message, keeping that wise walk means holding fast what was built over the last sixty years, with not a pin or pillar moved from the building of the work.
Redeeming Time Knowing Will
To walk with care rather than as fools is to redeem the time because the days are evil, for life is short and probationary time is precious, more precious than gold, to be used diligently for eternal good and the salvation of others. Time and talents belong to Christ who redeemed them by His blood, so wisdom is to use them to bless others and promote His glory and to advance His cause and last warning message, rather than wasting them in selfish pleasure and amusement, for time so spent is lost for eternity. The wise walk is to understand and prove what the will of the Lord is.
It is not to be drunk with wine wherein is excess but to be filled with the Spirit, for indulgence in wine or tobacco is not essential to growth but places a person under the control of the demon who devised the stimulant to deface and destroy the moral image of God. The Spirit-filled walk speaks in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with melody in the heart to the Lord, gives thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and submits to one another in the fear of God. It walks in love as Christ loved and gave Himself as a sacrifice, walking as children of light who were once darkness but now are light, bearing the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness and righteousness and truth.
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord, it has no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but reproves them and refuses even to speak of shameful secret things. It puts away fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking and jesting, corrupt talk, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and malice, while being kind, tenderhearted and forgiving. The verse contains lessons for the guidance of every married man and every married woman, requiring searching the heart as with a lighted candle.
Mistakes from unwise walking waste precious golden moments in removing the results of Satan's working, so the verse calls for confessing sins that dishonored God, imperiled souls and wasted hours, and devoting the hours to proclaiming present truth.
Character of Wise Living
Walking circumspectly as wise and not as fools means living by every word from the mouth of God with regenerating spiritual life, practicing the precepts of His law in daily life so that truth sanctifies through daily obedience, keeping to the path of holiness and making straight paths so others are not led astray, and living carefully in harmony with His pure principles and understandingly before Him in the light of His countenance. Coming in simplicity and faith brings understanding and enables humble, careful conduct toward others, so that accusation comes only as it came against Christ, and this obedient walk builds the living experience needed to stand in future troublous times. Failure to walk this way cherishes doubt and unbelief because the life cannot withstand the test of His Word and the testimony leading to the Word, and brings the greatest peril to His work and cause, strangling its progress and advancement at great cost. Living close to Jesus as living channels of light requires taking counsel of God and relying on the leadings of His Spirit rather than carrying out the plans, ideas and prejudices of other men, laying the soul on the altar, humbling self at every step, putting self out of sight, and building up rather than tearing down or holding back.
Walking circumspectly means humility of mind, meekness, lowliness of spirit and unity, recognizing Christ as helper and sufficiency rather than relying on own strength or living for human applause and opinion. It refuses unlimited confidence in self, refuses to think individual ideas are surely right and plans must prevail, hides self with Christ in God, esteems others better than self, treats all courteously without making idols of them, and submits mutually in obedience to His word. Such carefulness keeps independence of soul amid worldly confusion and temptation, guards against pride, fault-finding and dissension, awakens to responsibility, and allows perplexing matters to be adjusted and unity strengthened. For believers in Portland this humble, prayerful, daily converted and consecrated walk, moving guardedly before the Lord and united with heavenly agencies, is the condition for the Lord to work with them to firmly establish truth and unite in completing the house of worship, and now is the time for that advanced move.
Following Jesus as pattern means a constant crucifixion of self and sin in view of God's love in giving Jesus and the rejection of His perfect character, so that careful life and speech preach the gospel to associates and reveal Christ's light. Wisdom requires guarding the mind against the enemy gaining access and readily receiving his suggestions, which cause dearth of spiritual power and great confusion and waste precious golden moments in removing the results of Satan's working. It means much prayer and watching unto prayer, living the truth in all its bearings, barricading principle so the Lord is not dishonored, being on guard against Satan's snares and giving him no advantage, with definiteness of work and clearness of understanding as to the course of action. Those who stay on guard are kept soul and body and spirit, with holy angels close beside them charged to be their keepers, and when Satan uses men, even ministers or laymen, to cause anguish, victories are gained by leaving past mistakes behind because Jesus has taken them and imparted His righteousness, and by committing offenses of brethren to Jesus in firm trust. Mistakes from unwise walking call for confessing sins that dishonored God, imperiled souls and wasted hours, and for devoting the hours to proclaiming present truth.
Walking circumspectly as one enlightened by the Holy Spirit means opening the door of the heart to let Him come in to mold and fashion character, requiring selfishness to be taken out by the roots and not merely talked about or cut off at the top by occasional revival. Long-cherished selfishness becomes a prevailing power that tarnishes and corrupts the soul, springs up again when temptation is favorable, places reason and voice on the enemy's side, defiles many, brings a curse on individuals, families, institutions and the church, and causes a dearth of means. Wisdom is expressed in serious, edifying speech without corrupt, frivolous, trifling or worthless talk, answering anger with praise rather than angry words, fencing the mind with It is written and bringing no railing accusation. Angels continually record words and every word and act is seen by God, so the lips are to speak only what edifies and ministers grace, with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and melody in the heart and thanks always, while bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and malice are put away in kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness. Such steady, solid speech shows continual growth toward Christ, a well-formed and well-rounded character, resistance to spiritual decline, and examination whether the name is written in heaven.
Wisdom means remembering that body and life are God's property and not one's own to treat according to fancy, refusing life-destroying practices of selfish gratification and pleasure-loving extremists, refusing inordinate appetite for unhealthful things until perverted taste becomes second nature, and refusing wine, tobacco and intoxicating liquor. Indulgence in intoxicants is not essential to growth but places a person wholly under the control of the demon who devised the stimulant to deface and destroy the moral image of God, while following the world in these things sacrifices health and truth and righteousness and eternal life. Instead the wise walk refuses to be influenced by wrong common opinions and modes of thinking and practice, chooses to serve God even in collision with the world, cares for body and mind as belonging to God to preserve them for His service, and resists surrounding corruption through the Spirit's influence. It also refuses to overwork or endanger health and to work unwisely while a great work is to be done, but sets limits, rests, unloads every possible burden, shuns avoidable responsibility rather than overloading, works slowly and considerately without confusion, walks by faith clinging every moment to the Mighty One without letting go, and so receives wisdom to be preserved in difficulties and to continue serving. Caring for physical strength in this way supports spiritual strength for discerning service.
True Christians who believe the most solemn message ever given will not enter into worldly amusements and entertainments but will exert a firm, decided influence against the amusement and folly that counteract serious impressions on the mind, taking heed in word and action with constant vigilance lest the enemy obtain the victory. Wisdom is needed to discern God's light by putting away foolishness and earthly sinful pleasures and cherishing revealed grace and truth, so that the Comforter is not treated as common and blessing is received. Walking circumspectly means taking hold of the Spirit and power of God in great nearness and fellowship, remembering Jesus Christ, taking Him at His word and believing just what He says, gaining victories in His name, living in Him free with His sweet peace, walking worthy of the blessed hope, bringing His glory into life, and asking Him to take away frivolity, weakness and passion and give His righteousness. It requires a daily endowment of grace with God as dependence and trust, improving privileges to rise to increased faith, spirituality and knowledge, cultivating traits that win souls, never entertaining sufficiency of self, striving not for supremacy but to be more Christlike, growing up into Christ the living head and becoming complete in Him, and learning from Christ how to work as laborers together with God with ever more perfect understanding of the excellence embodied in Him. Coming short causes much loss and deprives the world of the love God designs to give and impart through those who abide in Christ, while the promised Holy Spirit stays to bring all things to remembrance and lift onto a higher plane of action.
The careful humble walk gives safety especially in perilous times by relying on God's counsel rather than human wisdom, conducting oneself carefully and humbly before the Lord and watchfully in words and actions in close walk with God. This life is a training place where those who would be saints above must first be saints below, pressing toward the high calling in Christ and resisting worldly ways and busy activities, mindful of relationship with God before the world. Each has an individual case pending in heaven and cannot afford mistakes or actions that bring trouble prematurely or lead others into a wrong course, and God works through those who walk carefully and in humility, in truth and in His fear, to direct and teach His children, and will not use those who have traveled much in darkness for that work. In a world breathing an atmosphere tainted with sin and surrounded with moral disease and pestilential influence that would corrupt faith and stain virtue unless counteracted by the great remedy the Redeemer has provided, those placed by duty in the darkest and most corrupt society can let light shine if they walk circumspectly, imitating Christ who lived in wicked, despised Nazareth and walked the most uneven path of the poor, neglected and sinful. Any place and any work dictated by duty is honorable because of faithfulness in doing it.
Witness Work and Service
Walking circumspectly is living carefully and wisely in a godly way that matches the truth professed and is visible in dealings with unbelievers, because such conduct influences others for good or evil. A careful walk made holy by the truth makes faith attractive through the results it produces in life and charms beholders who see it. When professed Christians fail to live circumspectly they dishonor Christ more than open rebels do, because they bear His name while denying Him by their actions.
Living consistently with profession teaches others to walk circumspectly. For those trained for service this means careful speech and conduct shaped by earnest seeking for the Holy Spirit and diligent cultivation of the graces, with greater piety, holiness of life and purity in harmony with elevating and sanctifying principles. It means teaching the truth as it is in Jesus by being examples, since conduct is watched by the world and every act is scrutinized, so that enemies can truthfully say no evil.
The character of the work is consenting to be laborers together with God and working in His lines, exercising mental endowments to make those within the sphere of influence wise and better, uplifting and strengthening the weak, and making straight paths for the feet lest the lame be turned out of the way. This requires learning from Christ how to work and how to do the work He has given, through ever more perfect understanding of the excellence embodied in Him and understanding what the will of the Lord is. It is lived in close connection with Christ the Light of the world, so that as followers walk in the light their understanding and conduct advance toward the perfect day.
One who carries the burden of neighbors' souls must live carefully before God so that cherished sin does not separate the worker from God or hinder prayer. This careful life is learned while helping others, and in helping others the worker gains spiritual strength and understanding that qualifies for entering a wider field. The wise walk in the home, before patients and students, and in a perfect way, with words seasoned with grace and Christlikeness as the sign of walking with God, with the peace of Christ ruling to strengthen and mellow the disposition and with heavenly principles revealed in all associations, enables prayer to be heard and answered and leaves only the fragrance of good works and words when earthly work closes.
Walking circumspectly before God is what qualifies one who claims to be His steward, because His cause is of such consequence that He requires a correct representation of His character from every steward. God works with those who properly represent His character, and through them His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. At a time when mistakes cannot be afforded, walking circumspectly means standing for and vindicating truth without anger when faced with statement after statement of falsehood, keeping to the affirmative and showing that truth of heavenly origin is sufficient to keep every soul. It includes rebuking sin even though with satanic energy men work to overcome the testimony of the righteous with falsehoods and misstatements, for truth will bear away the victory.
Walking circumspectly means humbling self before Christ and trusting in Him, with the cross of Calvary as hope and crown of rejoicing, responding to His giving Himself by giving self to Him to mold and fashion. It means working with care toward all people, especially toward brethren, not searching their characters to make apparent the differences between them but being one with all who name His name. It means walking in love toward one another as dear children, being kind, respectful, tender and loyal in guarding one another's interests. Doing this firmly closes the door that so often flies open to criticism, and then the Lord works in mighty power with His children.
Homes Schools and Institutions
Husband and wife are to walk carefully in their united life, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil, understanding what the will of the Lord is, being filled with the Spirit rather than drunk with wine, speaking in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with melody in the heart, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another in the fear of God, and this is the only way they can glorify God in their united life. That careful wise walk requires lifelong faithfulness to each other and self-sacrifice that leads to truest happiness and highest perfection of character, with the husband as houseband and priest of the home who loves and cherishes his wife and the wife who respects and loves her husband. In the home it also includes recognizing the sacred duties and responsibilities owed to one another, improving those relationships, keeping the soul in the love of Christ, and living in close connection with Christ the Light so understanding and conduct advance toward the perfect day in preparation for union with heaven's family.
Within the family the careful wise walk means facing and overcoming one's own wrongs instead of scrutinizing the faults of others or trying to appear righteous, acting justly toward the widow and fatherless, and living with honest motives that can bear examination. In a difficult home life it means casting the troubled soul on Christ who knows and will help and encourage, and not answering back, since silence can prevent quarrels. A married man serving in the mission field must guard conduct with the same care, keeping words and actions pure, avoiding every appearance of evil, and giving no cause for criticism. Not committing open sin does not make careless conduct guiltless, and safety requires constant vigilance against being led step by step into wrongdoing.
Students are to conduct themselves thoughtfully and wisely rather than recklessly for amusement or self-pleasing, making good use of time in an evil age and understanding the Lord's will. They should use their brief school time as fruitfully as possible, cooperate with teachers, consider how choices influence others, gain Bible knowledge to share with others, and recognize that careless conduct can hinder God's work through them and affect whether their work succeeds. They are to use time and powers well rather than wasting them on unprofitable games, idle talk, or courting, and regular manual labor joined with study guards mind and character against evil, supports health, and teaches industrious habits. The wise walk in school life has no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but reproves them, refuses even to speak of shameful secret things, awakes from sleep to receive light from Christ, avoids excess of wine, is filled with the Spirit, speaks in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with melody in the heart, gives thanks always to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and puts away corrupt and worthless talk.
Teachers are to act with careful wisdom rather than foolishly, not relying on their own abilities but depending wholly upon the Lord and standing in their place in the fear of God. Their circumspect conduct is shaped by prayer, closeness to God, and the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit. For the educational work at Loma Linda men and women of talent and decided spirituality are needed, and the best teachers are to be employed especially in medical lines, for with Christ as educator such walking brings a good work and a high standard in the true science of healing. Those who manage a sanitarium walk humbly with God with mind and heart educated to do His will and way, and through them the wisdom of God is revealed, God is glorified, and sanctified grace enters character.
Older men are to act with care and wisdom by encouraging younger men to develop their abilities and take responsible places in the work rather than holding them back. Ministers are to work circumspectly and live as patterns of good works, being sober-minded, with pure doctrine, seriousness, sincerity, sound sincere teaching, and sound speech that cannot be condemned. Those placed as overseers must not act as masters but walk carefully, with special care over speech, remembering that angels continually record words, fencing the mind with It is written, and bringing no railing accusation against anyone.
Everyone who accepts responsibility in God's cause is called to walk circumspectly before God and before fellow men, a lesson taught in Solomon's humble prayer. Position never changes character, never renders a man infallible, and never gives holiness and excellence of character, while the higher the position the greater the responsibility borne, the wider the influence exerted, and the greater the need to feel dependence on God's wisdom and strength and to cultivate the best and most holy character. Walking circumspectly means not ordering and dictating and commanding but realizing one is to be a learner, honoring God and keeping His commandments by which a man is himself honored, and when a responsible worker fails to learn this lesson the sooner he is released from responsibilities the better for him and for God's work.
God's work must be carried on with wise care and thoroughness so it will endure, planning within available help and means, avoiding overextension, and preserving the simplicity of Christ's work. Institutional leaders must show sound judgment, high moral character, and pure speech, remembering every word and act is seen by God, acting circumspectly in relations with nurses, patients, and helpers, avoiding even appearance of evil, and taking responsibility for influence on others. Workers at St. Helena are to live by every word from God's mouth with regenerating spiritual life, refusing inspiration from those bitter against the truth, refusing criticizing and judging but respecting, loving and esteeming brethren better than self, loving as Christ loved, gaining wisdom that is first pure then peaceable and easy to be entreated and full of mercy and good fruits by minute-by-minute faith, putting away lying to speak truth because the Lord looks on the heart, having no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness but reproving them, awaking from sleep and arising from the dead so Christ gives light, redeeming the time because the days are evil, understanding the Lord's will, unlearning many things and receiving hearts of flesh for conversion and eternal life. In institutional life this careful wisdom also means acting with spiritual discernment and putting the counsel into practice.
Workers in every line must walk carefully because large responsibilities are committed to them, letting lives be molded by the message of truth that calls Sabbath-keepers out as separate, refusing to lead others into false paths, and doing diligent work that lasts for eternity. Failure to walk carefully and understandingly before God in the light of His countenance brings greatest peril to His work and cause, strangling progress at great cost. Walking wisely requires living close to Jesus as living channels of light, taking counsel of God and relying on the Spirit's leading rather than carrying out men's plans, ideas and prejudices, laying the soul on God's altar, humbling self at every step, putting self out of sight, and building up rather than tearing down or holding back. If believers in Portland walk circumspectly in humility of mind, with humbled heart and meek lowly spirit, refusing unlimited confidence in self and refusing to think individual ideas surely right and plans must prevail, hiding self with Christ in God, uniting with heavenly agencies, seeking daily conversion and consecration, praying in faith, and moving guardedly and humbly, the Lord will work with them to establish truth and advance His house of worship, and now is the time for an advanced move to firmly establish truth there and unite in completing the church building.
Conscientious sisters taking up dress reform must live with care and work in a way fitting the solemn message, in surrender of heart, soul and mind in obedience to God's commandments which like a thread of gold bind precious things and reveal their value in trial. At the same time needless new dress reforms are to be avoided, directing time, thought and effort toward urgent work for others, especially presenting truth to those outside Christ. Walking circumspectly with God means coming to one's senses and rightly estimating truth and the soul, recognizing time is short and a great work must and will be done, taking a decided stand on the Lord's side and not fighting against God, and in practice encouraging medical missionaries to work in the churches rather than showing no interest or withholding consent.
Walking wisely in the home, before patients and students, and in a perfect way is both privilege and duty to seek a character so consistent that sin finds no place in words or actions, with words seasoned with Christ's grace, Christlikeness in words and actions as a sign of walking with God, the peace of Christ ruling to strengthen and mellow disposition, and heavenly principles revealed in all associations, enabling prayer to be heard and leaving only the fragrance of good works and words when earthly work closes. Women professing godliness are to avoid even appearance of evil, behave circumspectly, and choose words carefully. All are to carry themselves circumspectly under all circumstances so conduct gives healthy influence, shows Christ presides, forms character and prepares for immortal life, showing high birth by circumspect conversation and modest bearing, keeping truth in the heart with the law of kindness on the lips, witnessing in every word and act as citizens of heaven far above the worldling, doing missionary work by a holy constant life, praying much and watching unto prayer, and receiving God's blessing for walking carefully before Him. That circumspect life means having faith in God and watching unto prayer to gain victories when Satan uses even ministers or laymen to cause anguish, leaving past mistakes behind because Jesus took them and imparted His righteousness, and meeting offenses of brethren in firm trust by committing all to Jesus.
To walk circumspectly is to live carefully and wisely instead of foolishly. It means redeeming the time because the days are evil, treating short probationary life as more precious than gold to be used diligently for eternal good and the salvation of others. It means understanding and proving what the will of the Lord is. It means refusing drunkenness and excess and instead being filled with the Spirit, with thanksgiving, spiritual song, and mutual submission in reverence for God. It means living by every word from God's mouth in holiness, humility, meekness and love, bearing the fruit of light in goodness and righteousness and truth while having no fellowship with the works of darkness.
Meaning of Circumspect Walking
The command is to live carefully and wisely rather than foolishly, with careful discernment in conduct, speech and work. For young people this means obeying God's Word rather than acting recklessly for amusement or self-pleasing, and for believers living among heathen communities it means refusing the darkened, empty way of life around them. The wise walk includes using time well because the days are evil, understanding and doing the Lord's will, avoiding drunkenness, being filled with the Spirit, living thankfully toward God, building others up in love, and turning from vain, frivolous speech and pursuits that draw the mind from God. It also means caring for body and mind as belonging to God, preserving them for His service, and resisting surrounding corruption through the Spirit's influence, with the counsel put into practice in institutional life and work.
Wisdom is not merely avoiding wrong acts but doing all the good God requires through His strengthening grace, for which all are held accountable. Those who congratulate themselves for wrongs they do not commit while neglecting good and noble deeds remain fruitless trees in God's garden, registered as cumberers of the ground, accountable for all the good they could have done through His grace strengthening them. Yet even their case is not utterly hopeless, for Christ pleads through long-suffering love for those deceived about their standing before God. The call to walk carefully follows awaking from sleep and rising from death so that Christ will give light, and it includes redeeming the time because the days are evil. By that awakening the church shines God's light, walking as children of light with the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness and righteousness and truth, proving what is acceptable to the Lord and understanding what His will is.
True intelligence makes a person wise unto salvation and leads to a higher standard, while self-conceit shows a foolishness that disqualifies from responsibility. That wise walk stands with walking in love as Christ loved, putting away fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking and jesting, having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but reproving them, being filled with the Spirit, and giving thanks and submitting to one another in the fear of God. It contains lessons for the guidance of every married man and every married woman, requiring searching the heart as with a lighted candle. Walking circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, is a trait of character that opens the gates of the city of God. That walk means bearing the fruit of the Spirit, proving what is acceptable to the Lord, reproving darkness rather than fellowshipping it, redeeming the time because the days are evil, understanding the Lord's will, and refusing drunkenness wherein is excess.
Use of wine or tobacco is not essential to Christian growth, and indulgence in intoxicating liquor places a person wholly under the control of the demon who devised this stimulant to deface and destroy the moral image of God. Instead of drink, the wise walk is to be filled with the Spirit, speaking in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. In evil days amid Satan's deceptions the wise walk requires staying spiritually alert and discerning God's will, and in California this means drawing near to God for spiritual sight to recognize Satan's snares. Because Satan will make every effort to tear up the foundation of faith in the third angel's message, keeping that wise walk means holding fast what was built over the last sixty years, with not a pin or pillar moved from the building of the work.
Redeeming Time Knowing Will
To walk with care rather than as fools is to redeem the time because the days are evil, for life is short and probationary time is precious, more precious than gold, to be used diligently for eternal good and the salvation of others. Time and talents belong to Christ who redeemed them by His blood, so wisdom is to use them to bless others and promote His glory and to advance His cause and last warning message, rather than wasting them in selfish pleasure and amusement, for time so spent is lost for eternity. The wise walk is to understand and prove what the will of the Lord is.
It is not to be drunk with wine wherein is excess but to be filled with the Spirit, for indulgence in wine or tobacco is not essential to growth but places a person under the control of the demon who devised the stimulant to deface and destroy the moral image of God. The Spirit-filled walk speaks in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with melody in the heart to the Lord, gives thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and submits to one another in the fear of God. It walks in love as Christ loved and gave Himself as a sacrifice, walking as children of light who were once darkness but now are light, bearing the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness and righteousness and truth.
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord, it has no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but reproves them and refuses even to speak of shameful secret things. It puts away fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking and jesting, corrupt talk, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and malice, while being kind, tenderhearted and forgiving. The verse contains lessons for the guidance of every married man and every married woman, requiring searching the heart as with a lighted candle.
Mistakes from unwise walking waste precious golden moments in removing the results of Satan's working, so the verse calls for confessing sins that dishonored God, imperiled souls and wasted hours, and devoting the hours to proclaiming present truth.
Character of Wise Living
Walking circumspectly as wise and not as fools means living by every word from the mouth of God with regenerating spiritual life, practicing the precepts of His law in daily life so that truth sanctifies through daily obedience, keeping to the path of holiness and making straight paths so others are not led astray, and living carefully in harmony with His pure principles and understandingly before Him in the light of His countenance. Coming in simplicity and faith brings understanding and enables humble, careful conduct toward others, so that accusation comes only as it came against Christ, and this obedient walk builds the living experience needed to stand in future troublous times. Failure to walk this way cherishes doubt and unbelief because the life cannot withstand the test of His Word and the testimony leading to the Word, and brings the greatest peril to His work and cause, strangling its progress and advancement at great cost. Living close to Jesus as living channels of light requires taking counsel of God and relying on the leadings of His Spirit rather than carrying out the plans, ideas and prejudices of other men, laying the soul on the altar, humbling self at every step, putting self out of sight, and building up rather than tearing down or holding back.
Walking circumspectly means humility of mind, meekness, lowliness of spirit and unity, recognizing Christ as helper and sufficiency rather than relying on own strength or living for human applause and opinion. It refuses unlimited confidence in self, refuses to think individual ideas are surely right and plans must prevail, hides self with Christ in God, esteems others better than self, treats all courteously without making idols of them, and submits mutually in obedience to His word. Such carefulness keeps independence of soul amid worldly confusion and temptation, guards against pride, fault-finding and dissension, awakens to responsibility, and allows perplexing matters to be adjusted and unity strengthened. For believers in Portland this humble, prayerful, daily converted and consecrated walk, moving guardedly before the Lord and united with heavenly agencies, is the condition for the Lord to work with them to firmly establish truth and unite in completing the house of worship, and now is the time for that advanced move.
Following Jesus as pattern means a constant crucifixion of self and sin in view of God's love in giving Jesus and the rejection of His perfect character, so that careful life and speech preach the gospel to associates and reveal Christ's light. Wisdom requires guarding the mind against the enemy gaining access and readily receiving his suggestions, which cause dearth of spiritual power and great confusion and waste precious golden moments in removing the results of Satan's working. It means much prayer and watching unto prayer, living the truth in all its bearings, barricading principle so the Lord is not dishonored, being on guard against Satan's snares and giving him no advantage, with definiteness of work and clearness of understanding as to the course of action. Those who stay on guard are kept soul and body and spirit, with holy angels close beside them charged to be their keepers, and when Satan uses men, even ministers or laymen, to cause anguish, victories are gained by leaving past mistakes behind because Jesus has taken them and imparted His righteousness, and by committing offenses of brethren to Jesus in firm trust. Mistakes from unwise walking call for confessing sins that dishonored God, imperiled souls and wasted hours, and for devoting the hours to proclaiming present truth.
Walking circumspectly as one enlightened by the Holy Spirit means opening the door of the heart to let Him come in to mold and fashion character, requiring selfishness to be taken out by the roots and not merely talked about or cut off at the top by occasional revival. Long-cherished selfishness becomes a prevailing power that tarnishes and corrupts the soul, springs up again when temptation is favorable, places reason and voice on the enemy's side, defiles many, brings a curse on individuals, families, institutions and the church, and causes a dearth of means. Wisdom is expressed in serious, edifying speech without corrupt, frivolous, trifling or worthless talk, answering anger with praise rather than angry words, fencing the mind with It is written and bringing no railing accusation. Angels continually record words and every word and act is seen by God, so the lips are to speak only what edifies and ministers grace, with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and melody in the heart and thanks always, while bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and malice are put away in kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness. Such steady, solid speech shows continual growth toward Christ, a well-formed and well-rounded character, resistance to spiritual decline, and examination whether the name is written in heaven.
Wisdom means remembering that body and life are God's property and not one's own to treat according to fancy, refusing life-destroying practices of selfish gratification and pleasure-loving extremists, refusing inordinate appetite for unhealthful things until perverted taste becomes second nature, and refusing wine, tobacco and intoxicating liquor. Indulgence in intoxicants is not essential to growth but places a person wholly under the control of the demon who devised the stimulant to deface and destroy the moral image of God, while following the world in these things sacrifices health and truth and righteousness and eternal life. Instead the wise walk refuses to be influenced by wrong common opinions and modes of thinking and practice, chooses to serve God even in collision with the world, cares for body and mind as belonging to God to preserve them for His service, and resists surrounding corruption through the Spirit's influence. It also refuses to overwork or endanger health and to work unwisely while a great work is to be done, but sets limits, rests, unloads every possible burden, shuns avoidable responsibility rather than overloading, works slowly and considerately without confusion, walks by faith clinging every moment to the Mighty One without letting go, and so receives wisdom to be preserved in difficulties and to continue serving. Caring for physical strength in this way supports spiritual strength for discerning service.
True Christians who believe the most solemn message ever given will not enter into worldly amusements and entertainments but will exert a firm, decided influence against the amusement and folly that counteract serious impressions on the mind, taking heed in word and action with constant vigilance lest the enemy obtain the victory. Wisdom is needed to discern God's light by putting away foolishness and earthly sinful pleasures and cherishing revealed grace and truth, so that the Comforter is not treated as common and blessing is received. Walking circumspectly means taking hold of the Spirit and power of God in great nearness and fellowship, remembering Jesus Christ, taking Him at His word and believing just what He says, gaining victories in His name, living in Him free with His sweet peace, walking worthy of the blessed hope, bringing His glory into life, and asking Him to take away frivolity, weakness and passion and give His righteousness. It requires a daily endowment of grace with God as dependence and trust, improving privileges to rise to increased faith, spirituality and knowledge, cultivating traits that win souls, never entertaining sufficiency of self, striving not for supremacy but to be more Christlike, growing up into Christ the living head and becoming complete in Him, and learning from Christ how to work as laborers together with God with ever more perfect understanding of the excellence embodied in Him. Coming short causes much loss and deprives the world of the love God designs to give and impart through those who abide in Christ, while the promised Holy Spirit stays to bring all things to remembrance and lift onto a higher plane of action.
The careful humble walk gives safety especially in perilous times by relying on God's counsel rather than human wisdom, conducting oneself carefully and humbly before the Lord and watchfully in words and actions in close walk with God. This life is a training place where those who would be saints above must first be saints below, pressing toward the high calling in Christ and resisting worldly ways and busy activities, mindful of relationship with God before the world. Each has an individual case pending in heaven and cannot afford mistakes or actions that bring trouble prematurely or lead others into a wrong course, and God works through those who walk carefully and in humility, in truth and in His fear, to direct and teach His children, and will not use those who have traveled much in darkness for that work. In a world breathing an atmosphere tainted with sin and surrounded with moral disease and pestilential influence that would corrupt faith and stain virtue unless counteracted by the great remedy the Redeemer has provided, those placed by duty in the darkest and most corrupt society can let light shine if they walk circumspectly, imitating Christ who lived in wicked, despised Nazareth and walked the most uneven path of the poor, neglected and sinful. Any place and any work dictated by duty is honorable because of faithfulness in doing it.
Witness Work and Service
Walking circumspectly is living carefully and wisely in a godly way that matches the truth professed and is visible in dealings with unbelievers, because such conduct influences others for good or evil. A careful walk made holy by the truth makes faith attractive through the results it produces in life and charms beholders who see it. When professed Christians fail to live circumspectly they dishonor Christ more than open rebels do, because they bear His name while denying Him by their actions.
Living consistently with profession teaches others to walk circumspectly. For those trained for service this means careful speech and conduct shaped by earnest seeking for the Holy Spirit and diligent cultivation of the graces, with greater piety, holiness of life and purity in harmony with elevating and sanctifying principles. It means teaching the truth as it is in Jesus by being examples, since conduct is watched by the world and every act is scrutinized, so that enemies can truthfully say no evil.
The character of the work is consenting to be laborers together with God and working in His lines, exercising mental endowments to make those within the sphere of influence wise and better, uplifting and strengthening the weak, and making straight paths for the feet lest the lame be turned out of the way. This requires learning from Christ how to work and how to do the work He has given, through ever more perfect understanding of the excellence embodied in Him and understanding what the will of the Lord is. It is lived in close connection with Christ the Light of the world, so that as followers walk in the light their understanding and conduct advance toward the perfect day.
One who carries the burden of neighbors' souls must live carefully before God so that cherished sin does not separate the worker from God or hinder prayer. This careful life is learned while helping others, and in helping others the worker gains spiritual strength and understanding that qualifies for entering a wider field. The wise walk in the home, before patients and students, and in a perfect way, with words seasoned with grace and Christlikeness as the sign of walking with God, with the peace of Christ ruling to strengthen and mellow the disposition and with heavenly principles revealed in all associations, enables prayer to be heard and answered and leaves only the fragrance of good works and words when earthly work closes.
Walking circumspectly before God is what qualifies one who claims to be His steward, because His cause is of such consequence that He requires a correct representation of His character from every steward. God works with those who properly represent His character, and through them His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. At a time when mistakes cannot be afforded, walking circumspectly means standing for and vindicating truth without anger when faced with statement after statement of falsehood, keeping to the affirmative and showing that truth of heavenly origin is sufficient to keep every soul. It includes rebuking sin even though with satanic energy men work to overcome the testimony of the righteous with falsehoods and misstatements, for truth will bear away the victory.
Walking circumspectly means humbling self before Christ and trusting in Him, with the cross of Calvary as hope and crown of rejoicing, responding to His giving Himself by giving self to Him to mold and fashion. It means working with care toward all people, especially toward brethren, not searching their characters to make apparent the differences between them but being one with all who name His name. It means walking in love toward one another as dear children, being kind, respectful, tender and loyal in guarding one another's interests. Doing this firmly closes the door that so often flies open to criticism, and then the Lord works in mighty power with His children.
Homes Schools and Institutions
Husband and wife are to walk carefully in their united life, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil, understanding what the will of the Lord is, being filled with the Spirit rather than drunk with wine, speaking in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with melody in the heart, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another in the fear of God, and this is the only way they can glorify God in their united life. That careful wise walk requires lifelong faithfulness to each other and self-sacrifice that leads to truest happiness and highest perfection of character, with the husband as houseband and priest of the home who loves and cherishes his wife and the wife who respects and loves her husband. In the home it also includes recognizing the sacred duties and responsibilities owed to one another, improving those relationships, keeping the soul in the love of Christ, and living in close connection with Christ the Light so understanding and conduct advance toward the perfect day in preparation for union with heaven's family.
Within the family the careful wise walk means facing and overcoming one's own wrongs instead of scrutinizing the faults of others or trying to appear righteous, acting justly toward the widow and fatherless, and living with honest motives that can bear examination. In a difficult home life it means casting the troubled soul on Christ who knows and will help and encourage, and not answering back, since silence can prevent quarrels. A married man serving in the mission field must guard conduct with the same care, keeping words and actions pure, avoiding every appearance of evil, and giving no cause for criticism. Not committing open sin does not make careless conduct guiltless, and safety requires constant vigilance against being led step by step into wrongdoing.
Students are to conduct themselves thoughtfully and wisely rather than recklessly for amusement or self-pleasing, making good use of time in an evil age and understanding the Lord's will. They should use their brief school time as fruitfully as possible, cooperate with teachers, consider how choices influence others, gain Bible knowledge to share with others, and recognize that careless conduct can hinder God's work through them and affect whether their work succeeds. They are to use time and powers well rather than wasting them on unprofitable games, idle talk, or courting, and regular manual labor joined with study guards mind and character against evil, supports health, and teaches industrious habits. The wise walk in school life has no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but reproves them, refuses even to speak of shameful secret things, awakes from sleep to receive light from Christ, avoids excess of wine, is filled with the Spirit, speaks in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with melody in the heart, gives thanks always to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and puts away corrupt and worthless talk.
Teachers are to act with careful wisdom rather than foolishly, not relying on their own abilities but depending wholly upon the Lord and standing in their place in the fear of God. Their circumspect conduct is shaped by prayer, closeness to God, and the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit. For the educational work at Loma Linda men and women of talent and decided spirituality are needed, and the best teachers are to be employed especially in medical lines, for with Christ as educator such walking brings a good work and a high standard in the true science of healing. Those who manage a sanitarium walk humbly with God with mind and heart educated to do His will and way, and through them the wisdom of God is revealed, God is glorified, and sanctified grace enters character.
Older men are to act with care and wisdom by encouraging younger men to develop their abilities and take responsible places in the work rather than holding them back. Ministers are to work circumspectly and live as patterns of good works, being sober-minded, with pure doctrine, seriousness, sincerity, sound sincere teaching, and sound speech that cannot be condemned. Those placed as overseers must not act as masters but walk carefully, with special care over speech, remembering that angels continually record words, fencing the mind with It is written, and bringing no railing accusation against anyone.
Everyone who accepts responsibility in God's cause is called to walk circumspectly before God and before fellow men, a lesson taught in Solomon's humble prayer. Position never changes character, never renders a man infallible, and never gives holiness and excellence of character, while the higher the position the greater the responsibility borne, the wider the influence exerted, and the greater the need to feel dependence on God's wisdom and strength and to cultivate the best and most holy character. Walking circumspectly means not ordering and dictating and commanding but realizing one is to be a learner, honoring God and keeping His commandments by which a man is himself honored, and when a responsible worker fails to learn this lesson the sooner he is released from responsibilities the better for him and for God's work.
God's work must be carried on with wise care and thoroughness so it will endure, planning within available help and means, avoiding overextension, and preserving the simplicity of Christ's work. Institutional leaders must show sound judgment, high moral character, and pure speech, remembering every word and act is seen by God, acting circumspectly in relations with nurses, patients, and helpers, avoiding even appearance of evil, and taking responsibility for influence on others. Workers at St. Helena are to live by every word from God's mouth with regenerating spiritual life, refusing inspiration from those bitter against the truth, refusing criticizing and judging but respecting, loving and esteeming brethren better than self, loving as Christ loved, gaining wisdom that is first pure then peaceable and easy to be entreated and full of mercy and good fruits by minute-by-minute faith, putting away lying to speak truth because the Lord looks on the heart, having no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness but reproving them, awaking from sleep and arising from the dead so Christ gives light, redeeming the time because the days are evil, understanding the Lord's will, unlearning many things and receiving hearts of flesh for conversion and eternal life. In institutional life this careful wisdom also means acting with spiritual discernment and putting the counsel into practice.
Workers in every line must walk carefully because large responsibilities are committed to them, letting lives be molded by the message of truth that calls Sabbath-keepers out as separate, refusing to lead others into false paths, and doing diligent work that lasts for eternity. Failure to walk carefully and understandingly before God in the light of His countenance brings greatest peril to His work and cause, strangling progress at great cost. Walking wisely requires living close to Jesus as living channels of light, taking counsel of God and relying on the Spirit's leading rather than carrying out men's plans, ideas and prejudices, laying the soul on God's altar, humbling self at every step, putting self out of sight, and building up rather than tearing down or holding back. If believers in Portland walk circumspectly in humility of mind, with humbled heart and meek lowly spirit, refusing unlimited confidence in self and refusing to think individual ideas surely right and plans must prevail, hiding self with Christ in God, uniting with heavenly agencies, seeking daily conversion and consecration, praying in faith, and moving guardedly and humbly, the Lord will work with them to establish truth and advance His house of worship, and now is the time for an advanced move to firmly establish truth there and unite in completing the church building.
Conscientious sisters taking up dress reform must live with care and work in a way fitting the solemn message, in surrender of heart, soul and mind in obedience to God's commandments which like a thread of gold bind precious things and reveal their value in trial. At the same time needless new dress reforms are to be avoided, directing time, thought and effort toward urgent work for others, especially presenting truth to those outside Christ. Walking circumspectly with God means coming to one's senses and rightly estimating truth and the soul, recognizing time is short and a great work must and will be done, taking a decided stand on the Lord's side and not fighting against God, and in practice encouraging medical missionaries to work in the churches rather than showing no interest or withholding consent.
Walking wisely in the home, before patients and students, and in a perfect way is both privilege and duty to seek a character so consistent that sin finds no place in words or actions, with words seasoned with Christ's grace, Christlikeness in words and actions as a sign of walking with God, the peace of Christ ruling to strengthen and mellow disposition, and heavenly principles revealed in all associations, enabling prayer to be heard and leaving only the fragrance of good works and words when earthly work closes. Women professing godliness are to avoid even appearance of evil, behave circumspectly, and choose words carefully. All are to carry themselves circumspectly under all circumstances so conduct gives healthy influence, shows Christ presides, forms character and prepares for immortal life, showing high birth by circumspect conversation and modest bearing, keeping truth in the heart with the law of kindness on the lips, witnessing in every word and act as citizens of heaven far above the worldling, doing missionary work by a holy constant life, praying much and watching unto prayer, and receiving God's blessing for walking carefully before Him. That circumspect life means having faith in God and watching unto prayer to gain victories when Satan uses even ministers or laymen to cause anguish, leaving past mistakes behind because Jesus took them and imparted His righteousness, and meeting offenses of brethren in firm trust by committing all to Jesus.