Watching our society wander from God’s most basic truths is difficult and discouraging. However, this is not a time to give up (Psalm 119:23,51,126-128,161; John 16:33). Neither is it a time to give ourselves over to anger or fear (II Timothy 1:7). Looking for a positive response to the moral and spiritual wobbling (rebellion and warfare), we can find much help from the fifth chapter of Ephesians.
| Ephesians 5:1-7 |
Walk in Love |
| Follow God as dear children. Be like Christ. Live sacrificially. Serve God with a sweet spirit. Live in a pure manner. Don’t talk like the world (i.e. foolish and filthy humor; greedy and complaining – rather, thankful and kind).
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| Ephesians 5:8-13 |
Walk as Children of Light |
| Words and conduct should shed God’s light on the dark things of our society. |
| Ephesians 5:14-17 |
Don’t sleep-walk – Walk carefully |
| This is not a time to be lax and careless. “Circumspectly” (vs. 15 – KJV / NKJV) means to look all around (cp. “circumference” or “circle”). Adversaries will try to attack any false step or careless word. So, use your time well. Make sure you understand what God says about things. Don’t expect the world to understand and encourage you. |
| Ephesians 5:18-21 |
Walk soberly – filled with God’s Spirit |
| Drunkenness is when alcohol has control of your mind and physical reflexes. Being filled with God’s Spirit means that you have invited Him into all of your thoughts and activities. You have surrendered control to Him. There is no better time than now to start doing this. Here is what you do: |
Worship God through meditation in the Scriptures – especially the Psalms. To worship God means to draw near to Him. The Psalms are designed to guide your mind and heart to be devoted and dedicated to God and His ways. Here are some Psalms that might help at this time: Psalm 1; 2; 14; 23; 37; 56; 119; 126-131.
Give thanks to God. Focus on the faithfulness of God. He has devoted Himself (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) to you and your well-being. See Ephesians 1:3-14; 3:14-21; Romans 8:26-39; II Corinthians 4:6-18; I Peter 1:3-9; Psalm 23; 34; 100; 103:1-14.
Submit to God by submitting to the human relationships in which God has placed you. See Ephesians 5:22 – 6:9. We cannot worship God if we are full of strife and contention. Love, respect and cooperation are an invitation to God’s Spirit to get involved with our lives. Strife and contention have the opposite effect. See Ephesians 4:29-32; Philippians 2:1-16; James 1:18-21; 3:1-18; 5:7-9. |
