Walking in Wisdom: Colossians 4:5-6, Mark 4:11-12, and Ephesians 5:15-17

Colossians 4:5-6

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

To walk in wisdom is a profound command, one that requires deeper reflection to fully grasp. Thankfully, Scripture provides us with further insight, and the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, guides us in understanding and applying this wisdom. In Proverbs, we see that Christ Himself is the embodiment of wisdom, which means that to walk in wisdom is to walk in Christ. But what does this truly entail?

Walking in Christ means aligning our lives with His—imitating His love, self-control, humility, and deep relationship with the Father. It is not merely about moral behavior but about transformation, becoming living testimonies of God’s grace. Paul specifically instructs us to walk in this manner toward outsiders.

But who are these outsiders?

Mark 4:11-12

“And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that,
“‘they may indeed see but not perceive,
and may indeed hear but not understand,
lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”

Here, Jesus describes the outsiders as those who see but do not perceive, who hear but do not understand. They are outside the Kingdom of God because they have not turned to Him for forgiveness and salvation. To move from being an outsider to an insider in God’s Kingdom, one must recognize their sinful state, turn away from the world, and face God in repentance.

However, turning to God is not merely about acknowledgment—it is about engagement. It means not only looking toward Him but actively seeking Him in prayer, studying Scripture, and engaging in fellowship with other believers who also strive for godliness.

So when Paul tells us to walk in wisdom toward outsiders, he is commanding us to live in such a way that those outside the faith see something different—something compelling, something that draws them toward God. This requires that we make the best use of our time, not living as the world lives, but living in a manner that reflects Christ.

Our speech, Paul says, should be gracious and seasoned with salt. This means that our words should not only be kind but also full of spiritual wisdom. Salt preserves, purifies, and enhances; likewise, our words should preserve truth, purify hearts, and enhance understanding. When outsiders approach us with questions—or when we approach them—we must be prepared to answer them with wisdom, patience, and grace.

But how do we cultivate this wisdom?

Ephesians 5:15-17

“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.”

Paul expands on the idea of walking in wisdom by warning us to look carefully at how we live. He contrasts wisdom with foolishness and emphasizes that wisdom involves making the best use of our time. Why? Because the days are evil. The world is growing darker, and the further people stray from God, the harder it becomes for them to return.

Therefore, we are called to be intentional in our walk, to live wisely and purposefully, recognizing that every moment is an opportunity to glorify God and to bring others closer to Him. Foolishness, on the other hand, is characterized by seeking after the world—chasing selfish desires, temporary pleasures, and distractions that pull us away from God’s calling.

True wisdom is only found when we surrender our desires to God. To walk in wisdom means to pick up our cross daily, denying ourselves and seeking to understand the will of the Lord. This understanding does not come through human reasoning alone but through divine revelation. It requires us to seek the guidance of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, asking God to transform our hearts and minds so that we may discern His will and walk in obedience.

The Call to Walk in Wisdom

• Walking in wisdom means walking in Christ, reflecting His love, humility, and righteousness.
• Outsiders—those who do not yet understand the truth of the Gospel—need to see this wisdom in us, drawing them to seek God.
• Our words must be filled with grace and truth, preserving and purifying like salt, so that we can effectively communicate with those who seek answers.
• The world is full of corruption and deception; therefore, we must make the most of our time by growing closer to Christ rather than chasing fleeting pleasures.
• Wisdom is not simply moral living—it is a spiritual pursuit, requiring us to surrender our will to God and seek His divine guidance.

Let us, then, walk in wisdom—not as those who are blind but as those who have been given sight. Let us use every opportunity to shine the light of Christ, so that those who were once outsiders may turn, be forgiven, and enter into the fullness of God’s Kingdom