Spirit Filled Life
Ephesians 5:18 tells us that instead of getting drunk, we are to be filled with the Spirit. This exhortation is an interesting comparison because when we get drunk, the “spirits” (alcohol) begin to control us, which ends up with us living in “debauchery,” meaning “wild living.”
Likewise, when we are filled with the Spirit, we are controlled by the Spirit, which ends up with us living in “goodness, righteousness, and truth” (Ephesians 5:9).
We are filled with the Spirit by coming to the cross and believing the message of our forgiveness, removal of our guilt, and rescue that Jesus accomplished for us.
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”
Ephesians 1:13 NIV
Practically speaking, this passage in Ephesians 5:19-20 gives us useful things we can do when tempted, things that we will want to do as we come to the cross and experience all the love of Jesus pouring out on us.
Question 7. According to Ephesians 5:19-20, what things can replace drunkenness and all substance abuse in our lives?
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Speaking the Truth
As we end this lesson, I want you to notice the power of voicing the truth of the gospel. As you wash at the cross and begin to walk by the Spirit, you'll find warring against your flesh comes naturally. One way of warring against the flesh is to start voicing the message of the cross. "Speaking to one another with Psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit."
As you begin to speak to others the message of the cross and sing out this powerful truth, you'll see your faith soar and your life transformed more and more. The reason this works is that God has ordained us both to believe the truth in our hearts and confess it with our mouths.
"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.".
Romans 10:10 NIV
Start to speak the truth to your spouse, friends, or co-workers, saying things like, "I'm forgiven of all my sin because Jesus paid for it all" or "I'm set free, I have no more guilt because of the cross" or "I've been raised up to new life, just like Jesus rising from the dead on the third day," or many other truths like that.
Question 8. What gospel truth will you speak to yourself and others today? Please share.
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I’m no longer a slave to sin because Jesus set me free to be who I’m made to be.
There’s no more darkness in my heart for because of Jesus death, I am becoming more like God each day.
I have eternal life through Christ Jesus, my hope is not on things of this world but on things above.