Ephesians 5: 15–20, New Living Translation

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing, psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs among yourselves, and make music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

It’s so important for us to stay connected with our Father, with our Savior, with the Holy Spirit. When we lose that contact, we begin to think, feel, and act in the flesh. Paul gives us a warning in Ephesians 5:15-20 (NLT) for living in the Spirit. He says, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing, Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, among yourselves, and make music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When we begin to walk in the flesh, the desires of the flesh or fulfilled in leads to death. “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what you’re sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.” (Galatians 5:16–18, NLT) 

My brother and sister, it’s important for us to pay attention to the things we allow in our life. What are we watching that may be influencing us in a negative way? What is the message in the song you are listening to? Does it carry the message of Christ? What about the things we read? What kind of thoughts, ideas, or emotions is it provoking within us? Does it reflect God and the message of the gospel? There are so many things in this world that influence us, or sway us to go in a certain direction. The Bible says in Colossians 3:1–4 (NLT), “Since you have been raised to new life, with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things on earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”The more we walk in the Spirit, and seek God, the more we come to know the plans God has for us. We can bear fruit unto righteousness and glorify our Father in heaven. This only comes by seeking Him. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:7–8 (NLT), “Keep on asking, and you’ll receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you’ll find. Keep on knocking, in the door we open to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Our God is so good! He doesn’t leave us alone and defenseless, trying to figure things out. He’s given us His word! He has given us His Spirit that leads us into all truth! As long as we stay connected to the Vine, and His words remain in us, He will remain in us to bring to completion what He has begun in us. “And I am certain that God, who began a good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6, NLT)