Bible Society: Pentecost Reflections Day 9
Hi Friend
Welcome to day nine of your Pentecost reflection series, unpacking the role of the Holy Spirit in Scripture and in our lives. Let’s consider how we can stay under the right kind of influence …
Today’s Bible verses
Ephesians 5.15–21 (GNB) <https://biblesociety.cmail20.com/t/r-l-tyitjijt-bilwlltil-r/>
‘... instead, be filled with the Spirit ...’.
Today’s reflection
Among the many changes to our lifestyles during the COVID-19 pandemic, one which probably very few of us missed was the frequency of trips to the petrol station. The lockdowns dramatically reduced mileage for many of us, and suddenly what may have been a weekly chore became monthly or even bimonthly. Our cars will always need fuel, we just don’t need to fill them as often.
But this is not the case with the spiritual life. Today’s passage reminds us that we need to be filled with the presence, love and power of God as often as possible. ‘Be filled’ in verse 18 is actually in the ‘continuous present’ tense (something in the Greek language we don’t have in quite the same way in English). It is best translated as ‘go on being filled’ or ‘keep being filled’, or even ‘be continuously filled’. Our lives need the constant refreshment of God’s Spirit to live as followers of Jesus. This, Paul says, is the ‘wise’ way to live (verse 15).
And just as a car needs the right fuel, so Paul also encourages us to put the right fuel into our lives. His caution against excessive drinking (note: the issue is drunkenness, not consumption of alcohol per se) is really all about what controls us. We should beware surrendering our bodies to something that leads us to unwise or unhealthy behaviour; the true test of anything is the fruit it produces. Our lives should be under the influence of the Holy Spirit and focused on trying ‘to learn what pleases the Lord’ and 'finding out what the Lord wants you to do’ (Ephesians 5.10, 17, GNB). So, we avoid anything else that controls us and leads us in other directions.
But Paul’s wisdom doesn’t stop there. He actually gives us four ways that we can keep being filled with the Spirit. In verses 18–21, Paul says ‘keep being filled, as you ...’ what? Well, here are four great ways to keep being filled with the Spirit:
* Encourage each other, especially in worship
* Make music in your hearts. If you love singing worship songs in church, in the car, or in the shower, there’s a good reason for that – we are filled with the Spirit as we make music in our hearts to the Lord.
* Give thanks for all things. Finding things to praise God for fills us with his love, as we gain his perspective on our lives and recognise that all of life is a gift.
* Practise humility. This is a curveball! Verse 21 is actually part of the same sentence as verses 18–20, even though most modern Bibles put it in the next section. We are filled with the Spirit as we submit to each other – there’s a thought! What he means here is not a form of weakness. Rather, our choice to put others first is a sign of true strength and security in God’s love – we do it ‘because of [our] reverence for Christ’.
So today, let us welcome God’s presence again and be filled with his precious Spirit. And, perhaps, let’s draw alongside at least one of these four ‘spiritual fuel pumps’ to be refuelled with God’s love.
These Pentecost reflections were written by Revd Matt Trendall, a minister working in Milton Keynes
Today’s prayer
Thank you that you make us able to keep filling ourselves with the Spirit. Please refresh me with your Spirit. I acknowledge my need of you to live life well. Spirit, guide me today.
Today’s action
Take a moment today to ask God to fill you with his Holy Spirit.