Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(Eph 5:19)  “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”  Many a book has been written on “How to Be Filled With the Holy Spirit”. Yet, it is here right before us in plain language of twenty words. Such songs as these  focus the heart and mind upon Him (not ourselves) and move our thoughts to where our Lord is, and the need to please Him! One’s mind fulfills Php_4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” 

(Eph 5:17)  “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”  Alcohol lowers the inhibitions so that we would say or do things we would never do otherwise – to obey the flesh. . The Spirit of God is to guide us and empower us to overcome the flesh. This is to the goal of the Believer who is commanded to “walk in the spirit and ye will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

 

(Eph 5:18) “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”  It always amazes me how many of those professing to be God’s people don’t love Him enough to turn away from alcohol. They say, “Nowhere in the Bible does it say, don’t.” Wrong. We have been made kings and priests unto our God. Proverbs forbids kings (ch 10), and Lev 10 the priests. When you love the Lord you would rather err in a way to please Him than to offend Him.   

(Eph 5:17)  “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”  What is God’s will? In context it is be careful that we live in a godly manner, keeping our priorities right, loving Him, and loving others. Stick to God’s plan, be sure you have been born into God’s family, faithfully attend a Bible believing, cover to cover believing, gospel preaching and teaching church.

Eph 5:15) “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”   The days are evil. It is evil when God’s name is used as a curse-word. It is evil when people profess to know Him but won’t enter faithfully the doors of the church and seek the souls of others. It is evil when we speak of loving Him and yet spend our lives on “me and mine”. He is God alone and should have all our of us – whatever He desires – sacrificial love.  .  

(Eph 5:15) “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  I cannot help but wonder how much of our time is utterly wasted, as far a eternal good is considered. The children of God are either ignorant that eternity is near, or they don’t care. God help us to give more and more of our time to the Lord.  .

( Eph 5:14)  “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”   A sleeping person is ignorant of the dangers  around them. The call here is to awake to the reality that our God in His mercy has sent His Son to die in your place. Get up, repent of your sin, and be saved! The blessing of salvation is “light”, the ability to know God! 

( Eph 5:14) “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Those not yet saved are dead spiritually. Spiritually death leads to an eternal place of suffering called “Hell” upon physical death. That place is as real as Heaven. The sufferings of Jesus paying for your sins should be enough to motivate us to ask forgiveness and eternal life from God. If not…..consider you are choosing Hell.

(Eph 5:13) “But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.” This manifestation of light to darkness is accomplished two ways. First, by the very fact that we do not take part in the conversations of those things which shouldn’t be spoken out loud (v.12). Second, by the reproving of such thing (v..11). Are you walking as light?