In evaluating Ephesians 5:18 “Be Filled with the Spirit”, verse 19 reminds us that noting is more indicative of a fulfilled life, contented soul, and happy heart than the expression of song. When the believer walks in the Spirit, they have an inside joy that manifests itself in music. We need to understand that the Holy Spirit’s music is not hindered by a monotone or enhanced by a musical degree or magnificent voice. One of the greatest distinctions of Christianity should be in its music, because the music God gives is not the music the world gives. The sound that pleases God is the sound that comes as a result of a heart submissive to His Spirit and that sings or plays to His glory. Our singing is not for the purpose of drawing attention to ourselves or of entertaining others, but of rejoicing in and praising God. The words of every Christian song should be biblical – distinctly, clearly, and accurately reflecting the teaching of God’s Word. It is a tragedy that much music that goes under the name of Christian is a theological mishmash, often reflecting as much of the world’s philosophy as of God’s truth. While it … READ MORE

We have been talking about the importance of being “Filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18), But that means we need to ask what does that look like. We can not know whether we are or not, if there is not some type of change in our lives. Ephesians 5:19-the end of the book outlines what that change looks like. When God’s Spirit controls us He will put a song in our own hearts (Ephesians 5:19) and on our lips, develop in our hearts an attitude of gratitude (Ephesians 5:20) , and make us willing to display a submissive heart toward others (Ephesians 5:21ff), this will be manifested in a true humility of heart toward others. Take a few moments today to examine your mind and heart and see if those things are evident in your life. These are not normal in the sin cursed world that we live in today. But they will give us a perspective of our walk with the Lord.… READ MORE

Ephesians 5:18-21 reminds us to be “filled with the Spirit” and o be filled with the Holy Spirit is to live in the consciousness of the personal presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, as if we were standing next to Hi, and to let His mind dominate our life. This means that we walk in the Spirit thought by thought, decision by decision, act by act. Our flesh is the beachhead of sin, the yet unredeemed part of hour humanness that is exposed to and inclined toward sin. Not to be filled with the Spirit is to fall back into “the deeds of the flesh”. We do not have to consciously choose to do the deeds of the flesh, if we are not living under the control of God’s Word and Spirit, the deeds of the flesh are the only things we can do, because the flesh is the only resource we have in ourselves. Our sole defense against the negative power f temptation, sin, and Satan is the positive power of the Spirit, as we put in practice the clear instruction of the Word of God. When we surrender to the control of the holy Spirit, we find Him … READ MORE