Living Under the Influence (8)

Living Under the Influence: Ephesians 5:15-20

English Standard Version (Chapter 5) 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Saints

This is nearing Paul’s conclusion to the letter. As a reminder, he is writing to Christians, exhorting them to go deeper in faith and and faith expressions.

This passage is a connection to the opening of the chapter. Go to v. 1: “being imitators of God as beloved, dearly loved children.” Then go to v. 15: 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Carefully: exact, accurate, precise. Be intentional in how you live/walk in this world.

Comparisons of 2 Influences: God or Not God: Child of Satan or Child of God

sinful bent of humanity

Be imitators of… one is by natural tendency- sinful man, child of Satan, of the world of darkness (9-11).

The other is; imitators of God. To do nothing is to live under the influence of the Prince of this World. It is to be tossed and led. The other is to make a counter tendency choice. V. 17, Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

To assist with what Paul is directing, he gives another set of comparisons”

Wise or Unwise: Filled with ____?______ or Filled with the Spirit

reset the heart

In the the passage Paul calls out, those drunk on wine. It can be anything that you yield ones life to as the key influence. The term used to call out the impact of such living is debauchery. Debauchery means: wasteful- waste of life. Thus the connection of foolish, not wise.

Impacts of Life from the choice: Speech (v. 19), worship-connection with God (19b), Attitude (20), and Relationships (21).

Each of the connection points of life is affected by the filling of the Holy Spirit. Anything that causes one to be under the influence of will will impact these areas. In the day of Paul, it was drunkenness. Maybe you have met a drunk, one who is intoxicated. Speech, walk, care of people, attitudes toward various topics are all impacted. How much more when they are not in control of their temper. I may be how they care for their self.

Along this point, anything other than the Holy Spirit will wear off. Then one is left with oneself.

Paul says specifically, precisely: “be filled with being filled” with the Holy Spirit. It is a picture of a fountain, geyser with an unknown source.

When our weaknesses meet Grace

It begins at the Cross, Salvation-forgiveness of the past, guilt removed. God’s deposit infused into your being=Holy Spirit! Then What?

Keys for this to happen: 1. Salvation has already taken place. Paul is writing to The Saints in Ephesus. 2. The opportunity is the “Filling with the Spirit.” The controlling agent: The Spirit or anything other than.

quote: such living is not impossible

Prayer for Contemplation:

Hear this prayer. Is it your prayer?