“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise” (Eph. 5:15). Known by Your Walk People can be identified in a variety of ways. The primary means of identifying them, of course, is by facial appearance. However, there are many other ways to identify people. For instance, it is very common to identify people by the way they talk. A telephone caller might be immediately recognized by the sound of his voice. Peter’s accusers said to him, “… The way you talk gives you away” (Matt. 26:73). It has also been common to identify people, or their occupation or character, by the clothes they wear. Military, medical, or law enforcement personnel wear uniforms distinctive to their professions. The Bible even describes the seductress as being “dressed as a harlot” (Prov. 7:10). Bodies have been identified by dental analysis or physical marks. Criminal suspects have been identified by tire prints, footprints, or fingerprints. Another, and very recent, means of confirming identity is by the use of genetic technology. H o w e v e r , one means of i d e n t i f i c a t i o n , which is unusual to the point of not often being considered, is simply the way that people walk . Perhaps everyone has had the experience of seeing someone walking in dim light or at a distance and been able to confirm his identity just by the way he walks. The rapidity of the pace, the length of the step, the way in which he swings his legs, and other subtle features of his gait all come together to confirm his identity. There is no reference in the Scriptures to a person’s literal walk being used to identify him. Nevertheless, there is a similar kind of allusion to Jehu, a future king of Israel, being identified at a great distance by the way he drove his chariot. A sentinel said, “… The driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously” (2 Kgs. 9:20). It ought to be understandable, then, that the Scriptures commonly use “walk” as a metaphor to refer to what a person does, how he lives, or where he goes. Walking has always been the primary means by which people get around. This was especially true for the average person in ancient times, before vehicular movement was introduced to daily life. Thus, it was easy for walking to become associated with what a person did, how he behaved, and where he went. For instance, the Psalmist told his readers that the blessed man “does not walk in the counsel of the wicked” (1:1), meaning that he does not live according to their advice. Therefore, when Paul told the readers of his letter to the Ephesians to be careful how they walked (5:15), he meant they were to be careful how they conducted their lives. This is because, not only are Christians to be identifiable by the righteous manner in which they live, but they are also recognized by the Lord unto salvation by how they have lived. Paul said, “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). Likewise, John said, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth (1 Jn. 1:6), “and this is love, that we walk according to His commandments” (2 Jn. 6). Christians, Paul says, have been raised from baptism to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4) and that they “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). Thus, the Lord says to anyone who is a Christian, or wants to be one, “Watch your step!”