15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
Ephesians 5:15-18
not as unwise but as wise
Biblical wisdom goes beyond mere IQ. It embodies fervent moral discernment. It is also a divine gift to seamlessly weave God’s principles into our daily lives. It’s profoundly intertwined with obedience, resonating far deeper than any measure of intelligence. A truly wise person passionately adheres to God’s instructions. In verse 16, Paul passionately elaborates on a key point. God expects believers to demonstrate their wisdom through intentional use of time. This use should be powerful and deliberate.
making the most of every opportunity
Life is incredibly fleeting! In James 4:14, our very existence is poignantly likened to a vapor. It appears for a fleeting moment and then disappears into the ether. Just turn on the news. You’ll be confronted with tragedy. Lives are extinguished in an instant, leaving a profound impact on all of us.
A person once drew a compelling comparison between human lives and candles. Two magnificent candles embodied the essence of two individuals. One stood tall, radiant and full of potential, having only flickered to life for a fleeting moment. The other, short and weary, bore the marks of time. The tall candle symbolizes the vibrant youth. It is brimming with dreams and endless possibilities ahead. The short candle reflects the wisdom of an older soul. This soul is one who has journeyed far. Yet, despite their differences, both candles share a profound truth. With each passing day, they continue to burn brightly. Every day they inch closer to that inevitable moment when their light will extinguish.
Our lives burn with purpose! God has placed us on this earth for a remarkable reason. He has given us specific good deeds and divine missions. He longs for us to embrace and accomplish them for Him (Ephesians 2:10). Each day presents us with a vibrant opportunity to fulfill the sacred tasks that He has laid out for us. Yet, if we let these moments slip away, they vanish forever, never to return.
Reflective Moment: Are you truly seizing each precious moment in your life? When blessed with the gift of free time, how do you choose to embrace it? Consider the aspects of your life that might drain away your time or pull you away from the meaningful pursuits that inspire you. Don’t allow distractions to steal your passion!
Do not get drunk on wine
Indulging in a bit of alcohol isn’t a sin. The act of getting inebriated and surrendering your self-control truly crosses the line. We must also reflect on whether our drinking might lead those around us to falter or stumble. Above all, we should passionately consider if our actions are truly glorifying God.
be filled with the Spirit
How? A person experiences the full, vibrant life of the Spirit by actively tuning into the Spirit’s guiding voice. He fully submits to the Spirit’s profound conviction and nudges. Those who are filled with the Spirit will radiate the incredible fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in overflowing abundance!
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
The stark contrast to filling is quenching! When someone chooses to quench the Spirit, they resist the divine guidance that yearns to lead them. By turning away from God, they gradually become numb. They no longer hear the cries of sin, guilt, and conviction. This dulls their sensitivity to the profound promptings of the Spirit within.
Cross References:
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
- Galatians 6:10
- James 4:14
- 1 Peter 4:2
- Proverbs 23:20-21
Reflective Questions:
• What is the “therefore” there for?
• What does the term “be careful” tell us?
• What is the difference in how unwise men and wise men live?
• How can we make the most of our time?
• What kind of activities redeem the time?
• What is the reason given for why we should make use of our time?
• What kind of activities do many people engage in that are not redeeming the time?
• How can we understand what the will of the Lord is?
• Is a believer allowed to drink?
• What is forbidden here?
• How can we be filled with the Spirit?
• What do you think about social drinking?
• What should we do when invited?
19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:19-21
speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit
Paul passionately embraced this habit. He fervently shared the incredible ways God was moving in his life with everyone he ministered to. We must not get caught up in trivial small talk. Instead, we must boldly take the initiative to guide our conversations toward what truly matters. These conversations should be uplifting and spiritually enriching. They should be centered on God. This is the profound impact of being filled with the Spirit. Our discussions will resonate like heartfelt songs of praise. They will be overflowing with hymns of gratitude. Personal testimonies will provide powerful music.
One powerful way to spark transformative conversations is by sharing our testimonies. As we share, we ignite a deeper sense of gratitude within ourselves. While it’s easy to see our testimonies as tools for witnessing to others—bringing enlightenment and hope—that’s just the surface. What we often overlook is that the most profound impact is on our own hearts. When we recount our stories, we breathe life into our memories. We remind ourselves of the incredible works God has woven into the fabric of our lives. This act of reflection stirs a fervent heart of thanksgiving within us, resonating deeply, much like it did for Paul.
Reflective Moment: Cultivate a fervent practice of sharing the incredible ways God is working in your life! Yes, this includes your salvation testimony, but it extends far beyond that. Express regularly what God is actively doing within you. This will help you become more aware. You will also become more attuned to His transformative work. This awareness will ignite a deeper gratitude in your heart, making your spiritual journey even more vibrant and meaningful.
Always giving thanks
Our speech flows straight from the heart, overflowing with joy! We must cultivate a heart that delights in the Lord and His abundant goodness towards us. Imagine the situations where complaining seems all too easy—how can we transform our mindset to radiate gratitude instead? This week, what remarkable blessing fills your heart with thankfulness?
Cross References
- Acts 16:25
- Colossians 3:16
- James 5:13
- Colossians 1:11-12
- 1 Peter 5:5
Reflective Questions:
• Speak with whom?
• What is first required before we can speak with one another?
• How can we speak to one another in psalms? Hymns? Spiritual songs?
• What is the main point of this section?
• What is the most important ingredient in this? (Our heart)
• What does it mean to be subject to one another?
It Starts Small 
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