“Under the Influence”
Ephesians 5:18
REVIEW
I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-3
II. Our Worthy Walk in Christ 4-6
A. Live in Unity 4:1-16
B. Live in Newness of life 4:17-24
C. Live in Love 4:17-24
D. Live in Purity 5:3-14
E. Live in Wisdom 5:15-6:9
Paul urged all followers of Jesus to live differently. He called them to look at how they were living. Engage your brain. Sharpen your discernment. Keep God the central focus of all you do.
Wisdom is about applying knowledge to life. It is about living according to God’s will and ways.
We may not always enjoy yielding to God’s will but our heart knows it is best.
When confronted with bearing the sin of the world, Jesus preferred not to go through with it.
Yet, from His heart, He yielded to the Father’s plan and declared, “Not my will but Yours!”
Paul included 3 specifics regarding a wise walk or life. These, among many others, are indicators of a wise walk. Paul continued to employ his negative/positive pattern used throughout his letter. Stop doing this, practice that.
1. Seize every opportune moment 15-16
Stop walking as unwise but take advantage of every opportunity because we live in evil days.
2. Seek to understand the will of the Lord 17
Stop living my impulse but seek to understand what God wants because we live in evil days.
3. Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit 18-20
Let’s first read this very familiar verse in several different translations.
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ESV
Don’t get drunk with wine, because it makes you lose control. Instead, keep on being filled with the Spirit CJB
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, NASB
And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: HCSB
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. NIV
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, NLT
First, he and connects it to the list of things that characterize wise living with an “and”.
Paul started with a negative or prohibition in the present tense calling for a cessation.
“Stop getting drunk with wine in which is dissipation.”
WE don’t need convincing of the devastation alcohol abuse causes in the world today.
It is responsible for an assortment of reprehensible behaviors. It NEVER leads to any good.
It has wreaked havoc on millions of families both financially, physically and psychologically.
It is not just a modern day tragedy. Its trail of victims can be tracked all through human history. It occurs all though the Bible.
It seems to have been a problem even at the celebration of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:21).
Paul warned to stay away from drunkards. (1 Cor 5:11)
Paul included sobriety as a characteristic for elders and godly women. (1 Tim 3:8; Titus 2:3)
Peter referred to drunkenness as a part of the old life. (1 Pet 4:4)
Paul includes drunkenness in the list of characteristics of a fleshly life.
Paul calls us to keep sober and clear minded. 1 Thess 5:6
Jesus warned His followers to be on guard that their hearts not be weighed down with drunkenness and out of control living. Luke 21:34
Listen to Solomon’s description of alcohol abuse.
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long over wine, those who go to taste mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things and your mind will utter perverse things. And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, or like one who lies down on the top of a mast. "They struck me, but I did not become ill; they beat me, but I did not know it. When shall I awake? I will seek another drink." Proverbs 23:29-35
Most everyone here could share a terrible tale as to the devastation of alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse was common at the time of Paul’s writing to Ephesians. It is not improbable that in this verse there is an allusion to the orgies of Bacchus, or to the festivals celebrated in honor of that heathen god. He was "the god of wine," and, during those festivals, men and women regarded it as an acceptable act of worship to become intoxicated, and with wild songs and cries to run through streets, and fields, and vineyards. It was felt that the state of ecstasy produced by inebriation was the gateway to getting in touch with the gods. In ancient religions high value was placed on ecstatic mood. It was thought that people could approach God only as they were drawn out of themselves in rapturous ecstasy. Exciting music, dancing, and—chief of all—intoxication were employed to produce their ecstasy. Greek religion found its highest expression of this style in the worship of Dionysus.
This is not a message on alcohol abuse but there are some points I want to make before we move on to the second part of this verse. Paul does not prohibit the use of alcohol only the abuse of it. Paul even prescribed it for Timothy’s stomach problems. Jesus produced high quality wine for a wedding. The issue is not drinking but drunkenness. The problem is, many people drink to get drunk. The issue is the reason people drink. People drink alcohol or use any mind and mood altering substance to escape pain. Even though the Bible does not forbid consumption of alcohol, I think a practical case could be made for avoiding it all together.
This issue here is drunkenness. The word means to be soaked with wine. Don’t be under the influence of or controlled by wine. He supplies one practical reason.
The next word has been translated in several different ways as we read earlier.
“It makes you lose control.” “That is dissipation.” “It leads to reckless action.” “It leads to debauchery.” “It will ruin your life.”
The term Paul chose to use here is only found in a few places in the New Testament.
It was used to describe the prodigal son.
"And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Luke 15:13
The word comes from the term which means to save, deliver with the addition of a negative.
When you add the negative it means that which is unsafe; not to be recovered; lost beyond recovery; that which is abandoned to sensuality and lust; dissoluteness, debauchery, revelry.
It means that drunkenness is anti-salvation. It cannot save us from our problems.
It results in an addictive captive state. The term indicated behavior that was out of control; unrestrained. It continues the thought of foolish behavior characterized by out of control emotions and thinking. Drunkenness only contributes to further foolishness. One could summarize it as unrestrained behavior that was reckless and dangerous. Paul earlier described it as the lifestyle of the sons of disobedience.
The next phrase is both a comparison and a contrast.
Some see more comparison. Stop being drunk with wine. Stop entering an ecstatic state through wine but be drunk with the Holy Spirit.
In light of the context, I think Paul intended only to show two contrasting sources of influence or control. Stop being under the mind numbing influence of wine but continually yield to the mind enlightening influence of the Holy Spirit.
Four grammatical observations flow from the text.
First, it is a command. “Be filled!” This is not something optional.
Second, it is a command to all believers “ya all” be filled. This is not just instruction for a privileged few. This applies to ALL Christians. In fact, it is something expected of the community of Christ as a whole as well as individuals.
Third, Paul used the passive voice which means it is something done TO us not by us.
“Be filled by the Holy Spirit not yourself”. You can’t fill yourself.
Fourth, Paul used a present continuous tense verb which means we are to continually yield ourselves to the control or influence of the Holy Spirit at all times. It is not some onetime or occasional spiritual high or ecstatic experience. God intends that we live in continual state of being controlled or influenced by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit functions at many different levels. There is much confusion about His ministry to the body of Christ. I hope to clarify some of that confusion over the next several weeks as we take a brief side trip to examine the Holy Spirit sightings recorded throughout the whole Bible.
Today we will briefly touch on this one of many ministries of the Holy Spirit.
The key term that identifies this work of the Holy Spirit is “filled”. Ya all continually be filled by the Holy Spirit. We need to understand that term before it can become a reality in our life.
There is much discussion about this work of the Holy Spirit over the centuries. There is also much confusion about what it actually is. Some see it as some ecstatic experience that generates tingles down your spine. Others see it as an altered state of being that supersedes our own volition.
By the way, this is the ONLY place we are commanded to be filled.
The specific term is used all through the New Testament. By tracking its common usage as well as its spiritual usage in regard to the Holy Spirit, we can gain a better understanding of what it means.
The word means to make full, to complete it is translated differently throughout the New Testament. Accomplish(1), accomplished(1), amply supplied(m)(1), approaching(1), complete(1), completed(3), completing(1), elapsed(1), fill(3), filled(16), fills(1), finished(1), fulfill(5), fulfilled(35), fully carry out(m)(3), fully come(1), fully preached(m)(1), increasing(m)(1), made complete(2), made full(5), make complete(1), make full(1), passed(2), supply1).
It would be used for many different things, fill a glass, fill up a ravine, finish a project, fulfill prophecy, carry out a mission. It also indicates the domination by a particular emotion i.e. Filled with anger, filled with joy or gladness, filled with sorrow, filled with peace, filled with comfort.
All of us can identify with how it feels to be overwhelmed or numbed by a particular emotion.
Worry can dominate one’s whole system. Anger can captivate our attention. Joy can flood our whole mood.
It would be used also to indicate one’s life being characterized by a particular behavior ie. Filled with unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, envy, strife, deceit, filled with the fruit of righteousness, full of grace and power.
The Pharisees worried that the message of the Gospel had “filled” all of Jerusalem.
It could refer to having an abundant supply of something – i.e. filled with provisions
One could be filled with good deeds.
After a big meal one would be filled with food.
The Bible talks about the fact that the crowd was filled with wonder and amazement.
The word is used in Peter’s rebuke of Ananias, “Why has Satan filled (influenced) your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?
The core meaning has to do with influence, control or saturation. Being filled with something controls us or dominates our emotions, thinking or actions. Paul calls us to be completely and continually influenced or captivated by the Holy Spirit. He is to be the one who directs our everyday life. Used specifically of the Holy Spirit, it indicates a higher level of connection to and control by Him. Be continually directed by the Holy Spirit. Be continually enlightened and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is to be a way of life.
It is similar to other concepts used to describe the Spirit’s work in the believer.
We are told to live or walk by the Spirit and we will not fulfill (be dominated by) fleshly desire.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25
Two categories.
Life giving ministry of the Holy Spirit and the daily living and growth ministry.
We are told to abide in Christ the vine, the source of life.
The parallel passage in Colossians that follows with the same result tells us to “let the word of Christ richly dwell in us.”
We are told to be filled with the knowledge of His will.
We can be filled up to the fullness of God.
All of these indicate a greater level of connection to the Holy Spirit. It indicates a continual awareness of and yielding to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
He is like a perpetual life coach or encourager. He is like gas for the engine. He is like the generator continually recharging the battery. He is like wind in the sails.
RESULT OF FILLING
The results of such a connection vary. Paul mentions three specific things here.
Other passages indicate a variety of results coming from such a saturation of the Holy Spirit.
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan (baptism) and was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness (to be tempted) Luke 4:1
For he (John the Baptist) will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine or liquor; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother's womb. Luke 1:15
And it came about that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:41
And John’s father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying… Luke 1:67
But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. Acts 6:3
But being full of the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; Acts 7:55
Then when Barnabus arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. Acts 11:23-24
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Acts 2:4
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people… Acts 4:8
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52
And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. Acts 4:31-33
And Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 9:17
But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on Elymas the magician and said, "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? Acts 13:9-10
All of us are controlled or dominated by something. All of us are empowered and energized by something.
The contrast between being influenced by alcohol or the Holy Spirit is compelling.
Influence of alcohol Influence of the Holy Spirit
Self-centered Other’s centered
Stupid talk Truth talk
Out of control Self-controlled
Deeds of the flesh Fruit of the Spirit
Broken relationships Encouraging relationships
Depressant Stimulant
Ungratefulness / entitlement Gratefulness
Become more ungodly Become more like Jesus
Missed opportunities Aware of more opportunities
Connection to demonic power Connected to God
Apathetic and indifferent Motivated and energized
Too dull to serve Enabled to serve (Spiritual gifts)
Battery power Nuclear power
Out of touch with reality In touch with reality
Loss Gain
Fear and paranoia Faith and courage and boldness
Escape problems Face problems
Sensual focus Spiritual focus
Leads to greater bondage Leads to true freedom
Just as the abuse of alcohol results in reckless behaviors, the influence of the Holy Spirit naturally results in redemptive behaviors.
These are detailed by the use of four “ing” terms.
? Speaking and singing truth to one another and praise to God.
? Giving thanks for all things.
? Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
We will look at these in more detail next week as well as how we can be filled by the Spirit.
God’s instruction is to continually yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit in every area of life.
The person and role of the Holy Spirit will be the subject over the next several weeks.
If we are going to yield our lives over to someone, we should know who it is and what to expect.
Today the instruction is clear.
Continually yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit in every area of life.
It ought to be as obvious that we are under the influence of the Holy Spirit as it is a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The external evidence of one living under the influence of the Holy Spirit is like a spiritual breathalyzer test. Does the breath of the Holy Spirit register on the scale or the stench of the flesh? It really is quite obvious when evaluated against the signs of a spirit filled or controlled believer. It is like a refreshing stream.
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39
This is not exclusive to an elite group. It is available to anyone.
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17
Can people tell whose influence you are under by your life? If you claim to be a true follower of Jesus, there is only one option.
Continually yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit in every area of life.
