Empty Your Bucket

You may be saying, “Paul, if I spent most of my time doing that, I would not have time to work, do things I need to, go to school, play sports, do choir, have a part time job, and all the other day to day jobs I have.” But the Bible says to make the most of our days. It is so important that others see Jesus living in us and through us in our actions at work, school, play, raising our family, and treating others. All those are reflections of how Jesus is part of our life.

We need to be making the most of our days. We need to be telling others about Jesus. We need to be telling our friends about Jesus. We need to be letting people see what Jesus has done for us. We need to make the most of our days.

And then he says too not be foolish, but understand what the will of God is. I have met a lot of foolish people in my time here on earth. God would probably look at me and say that I am foolish sometimes also. Some of you might say that as well too. We are all foolish sometimes.

But I think in these few verses, we are to be careful how we walk, we are to make the most of our days, and we are to live not as unwise, but as wise men. As wise women. Wise students, wise adults.

The only way we can do that is to be what verse 18 says: “Do not get drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit.” The only way you can make the most of your time and day is to be filled with the Spirit of God. The only way you can walk as a wise man is to be filled with the Spirit of God. The only way you can understand what the will of God is, is to be filled with the Spirit of God. I don’t have all the answers for knowing the Spirit of God. But I do know what today’s scripture says. I know you can’t be filled until you empty your container.

Now let me share with you what verse 18 really means. The first part of that I think we all need to understand. It says to not be drunk with wine. That includes champagne, beer, mixed drinks, and wine coolers. I believe that it is a sin to be drunk. The Bible is very clear on that. We do not need to get drunk. Let me ask you this question. When a person is drunk, what are they controlled by? They are controlled by the alcohol. The next part of the verse says to be filled with the spirit of God. It simply means that we are to be controlled by the spirit of God.

As alcohol controls people, when they get so drunk they don’t understand what they are doing, they do things they can’t even begin to realize what they are doing -- so it is to be with God’s Holy Spirit living inside of us. If you are a born again child of God, the Holy Spirit living inside of you must, should, always control you. Once that happens you will be doing what God has called you to do. You will be able to make the most of your days. Stop listening to your friends and even yourself. Start listening to the voice of God.

However, there is problem. Most people aren’t filled with the spirit. Most people aren’t controlled by the spirit of God. Let’s look at Galatians 5 if you would.

READ GALATIANS 5:16 – 26