Ephesians 5:19-20 Devotional

The purpose of this book was to strengthen the Christians in the church of Ephesus.

Being a prisoner in Rome awaiting trial, Paul was not able to revisit the church in Ephesus as he had revisted the other churches on his journeys.  So he wrote this letter to do what he could not do personally: To encourage them in their works of service and holiness in response to God’s saving grace.  Paul emphasizes the church in this book.

The first 3 chapters concentrate on the church being God’s workmanship, and the last 3 chapters concentrate on the response of believers to God’s plan of salvation as the recipients of His grace.

Chapter 5 – second half the focus would be to Be wise and make the most of the gift of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Verse 19 talks about the effects of being filled and completely controlled by the Holy Spirit.  This means a life where every room of the heart, where the Spirit lives, has been opened up.  Jesus and His love has permeated those rooms.

How does this happen? 

2 Corinthians 3:18 - God does the transforming work in our lives.

Matthew 13 talks about growth using the examples of a mustard seed and yeast. 

When you are properly focused on your relationship with Christ and growing…it has an effect on others around you and may cause growth in them as well.  God may use you to help others grow.  Are you in a place with your relationship with your personal Savior that you would say you are available to be used by God?  Are you willing to experience being filled by the Spirit or do you have the Spirit on a leash?  Have you opened every corner of your heart to the Spirit’s influence?

Once this has taken place; you will notice that with the Spirit you are able to better reflect the image of Christ and able to do what verse 19 and 20 are talking about, not as if it was a chore but with joy!

Speaking to one another: The word speaking comes from the Greek word laleo which means to make a sound, to break the silence.  The “sounds” you make should be ones coming from a spirit-filled heart.  Thus they will be pleasing to the Lord.

Psalm: A musical song or poem exalting God.

Hymn: A song of praise that exalts the Godhead fully. God, Christ the Son and the Spirit.

Melody: refers back to the word Psalm.  But with how Paul words it, it is coming from the heart.  All Spirit filled singing is directed to the Lord, Whether it is about Him or to Him, it is all directed toward Him.

Verse 20 talks about thanksgiving.  It is the Greek word eucharisteo which comes from the word “gift” or “grace.”  It means a person who is depending on God’s grace moment by moment.  That is a thankful person.

Thanksgiving is a product of a spirit filled heart.  When you are filled with the Spirit, you are thankful for what God is doing in your life.

When are we to be thankful?  The verse says “always giving thanks”  It is lifestyle that you may choose.

What are we to be thankful for?  The verse says “for all things”  The good and the bad.

(So, I do not have a relationship with my earthly father, he does not have any interest in a relationship with me;  that is not something you would typically be thankful for, however, I am thankful for it in the sense that I then had the freedom to establish my relationship with Brian as my husband and give him respect unhindered by a daughters continuing desire to please and obey their father.  Had a relationship maintained with my father, I am confident that it would have hindered my marriage as I tried to please both of them. – So I am thankful for that blessing)

How should we give thanks?  The verse says “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”  If it wasn’t for Jesus, we would have no reason to celebrate and give thanks, we would be without hope.  Because of what He did for us, all of our thanksgiving should be directed back to Him.  From the point of our salvation and through the process of sanctification that is continuous in our lives.

To whom are we to give thanks?  The verse says “to God, even the Father”

Do we take the time to thank Him for our blessings regularly – throughout our day, and do are we expressing thanks and having a heart of thanksgiving while spending time with others in our lives?  Do we act thankful for them?

So, we are all “others” in each others lives…..would you take some time to consider the following question?

How can we speak Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual songs to each other?

May you grow in your relationships with other believers and become one who encourages and builds up those around you!