Picture in your mind, if you will, a person who is drunk, really drunk. Most of us have seen such a person, either in the movies or on TV, or perhaps in real life. They stagger and stumble around, and can’t talk coherently. Police give sobriety tests, such as walking in a straight line heel to toe, which a drunk person would have difficulty doing. This is because they are under the influence or control of the liquor. The same is true of someone high on drugs. The liquor and drugs have control over what they do and influences the way they act. In our Epistle reading today, God tells us through the words of Paul, that He wants us under such control of something, but you can be sure it isn’t drugs or alcohol! Let’s look at our Scripture passage.
As our Scripture passage begins, Paul has given the Ephesian church some instructions for how a Christian should be living their life. God’s Word begins by telling us to watch how we walk (vs. 15). We need to watch carefully how we live. To be circumspect means to be careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences, to be prudent. To be careful of our actions and behavior is to live wisely. The Bible calls some people fools, not because of any intellectual limits, but because of their unbelief, wicked and ungodly deeds. Following God’s Word and His will is to live wisely (vs. 17).
Next, the Word of God tells us to redeem the time, because these are evil days (vs. 16). We need to be making the most of every opportunity we have to do the will of God, especially in telling others about the Lord Jesus Christ, and salvation through His Blood. Wickedness and evil are becoming more widespread. As we have seen in the past 1 ½ years, we never know how much time we have here on earth. People are dying without Jesus and going to hell every day. We need to make the most of every day we have to tell others about Him.
As believers and followers of the Lord Jesus, we must clearly understand what the will of the Lord is. To do that, we must be in prayer and in His Word every day (vs. 17). God wants us to turn away from sin and leave it behind. He wants that, not to be mean to us, but because He knows that it is not good for us. Sin harms us and those around us. Trusting God’s love for us will always work out for the best.
One of the things God wants us to leave behind from our former life in the flesh is getting drunk (vs. 18). We have a better life now with Jesus. As I mentioned at the start, someone who is drunk has the alcohol controlling what they say and do. In the same manner, someone who is filled with the Holy Spirit is under His control, and will say and do what He wishes them to do. When a Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit, He controls their thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Being filled with the Spirit means that we live in submission to Him, under His control. We can usually tell when someone is drunk, as their actions and speech give it away. The same should be with Christians. Our actions and speech should also give away that we love Jesus and are His children. Neighbors know the drunk on the block. Do they know that you are a follower of Jesus?
In closing, Paul tells us what some of the results of a Spirit-filled life will show (vs. 19-20). Instead of some of the vile things that the unsaved talk and joke about, we should have the Word of God on our lips, singing hymns and other godly songs. Our hearts should ring with the melody of Jesus.
The more we praise God and give Him thanks, the more the devil flees from our presence. Praises and thanksgiving to God are our greatest defense against the wiles of the devil. So keep a hymn of praise always in your hearts for the Lord!
Thank you, Sarah.❤️
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