I have a few question concerning this popular unity rule. (See scripture rule below)
1) Am I to be filled with the Spirit before I speak? 2) Or, do I speak and thereby become filled with the Spirit?
“Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:18-19 (NIV)
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1) “Am I to be filled with the Spirit before I speak? 2) Or, do I speak and thereby become filled with the Spirit?” I can share the footnotes from my NLT, for Ephesians 5: 18-19 . That may help with discussions on the above questions.? “The effects of alcohol are obvious, but what happens when we are under the influence of the Holy Spirit? In these verses, Paul lists three by -products of the Spirits influence in our lives: singing, making music, and giving thanks. Paul did not intend to suggest that believers only discuss religious matters, but that whatever we do or say should be permeated with an attitude of joy, thankfulness to God, and encouragement of others. Instead of whining and complaining which our culture has raised to an art form — we are to focus on the goodness of God and His mercies toward us. How would others characterize your words and attitudes?”
“1) Am I to be filled with the Spirit before I speak? 2) Or, do I speak and thereby become filled with the Spirit?”
My thoughts: I am not sure I clearly understand what “this popular unity rule” is but Ephesian 4:3 does say to endeavor to keep the ‘unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ And we are told that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, not our own. So I would think that if we are to have a walk of unity with the Spirit in this temple ( and for Him to fill it) then it has to be a clean, inviting place to Him where He would want to live. My understanding is also that He can be grieved and leave…and I read in Psalm 5 that evil can’t dwell with God.
So, involving our temple, seems like there could be two opposing uses: “speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord”; or just useless, corrupt communication. (” Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, Eph 4:29).
So, I think I am leaning toward answer 2) “Or, do I speak and thereby become filled with the Spirit?”, because that may be the door that opens and invites Him to fill.
And maybe this thinking goes along with what Tammy shared above…”Instead of whining and complaining which our culture has raised to an art form — we are to focus on the goodness of God and His mercies toward us. How would others characterize your words and attitudes?”
Not sure I agree with Debi, or maybe I don’t understand her answer. Without the Spirit I don’t know if anything coming out of our mouths is worth anything. In the Book of Acts Chapter 2, they were all FILLED and began to Speak. So if we are talking about a spiritual relationship with God…is there any other kind,,lol,,, then I think…and I stand corrected …that the Spirit of the Living God is the catalyst, if I may use that word…that elicits any kind of godly verbiage coming from our mouths. Yes, people do say nice things….people who are not even born again can say nice things. But if those things that they say have any leverage or weight of worth I believe that it is the Work of the Spirit of God just like in the Old Testament when God would send forth His Spirit upon a man/woman to say, do, prophesy, act, etc. It still is some kind of work by the Holy Spirit, I believe.
In reading and thinking on Tammy and Debi’s comments I have become aware from the light of their woven words that as a believer, I am filled with the Holy Spirit. But, as a grumpy old—–…. We are not participating with His vision and purposes for our lives by giving out champagne shots to those We encounter. Let me start here; “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word…” And, thanks for the inspiration Debi and Tammy for power starting my early morning with hope when I wanted to hop back in bed and sleep away my study/prayer time. Don’t forget to hum through your day and your face will make 😀😍 not😞😫!!!!!!
Thank you, Sara, for inspirationally writing “Don’t forget to hum through your day ….” along with sharing the reminder from Ephesians. As I reflected back on the day this pm, I found I had been humming quite a bit.
Also, I am still pondering your statement, “We are not participating with His vision and purposes for our lives by giving out champagne shots to those We encounter.”…(I don’t think there is much humming in that.)
And, the artwork above, ‘Pondering my thoughts’ is so very lovely to look at and think on.
Debi, as you ponder the statement….don’t forget you are grumpy….
Yes, that sure is true…but I am working on the humming.
Debi, I think we are off track…you wrote….”Also, I am still pondering your statement, “We are not participating with His vision and purposes for our lives by giving out champagne shots to those We encounter.”…(I don’t think there is much humming in that.)” Debi also wrote, “instead of whining and complaining which our culture has raised to an art form — we are to focus on the goodness of God and His mercies toward us. How would others characterize your words and attitudes?” Now call this grumpy and see what you perceive?”
“Now call this grumpy and see what you perceive?”
I perceive that grumpy has its focus wrong…whining and complaining about something (which can be in the form of speaking those kind of words) rather than focusing our words (and thoughts and actions) on “the goodness of God and His mercies toward us.” Champagne is grumpy’s ‘cheap’ wordly substitute for the life-giving ‘wine’ of the Holy Spirit. Champagne might give a buzz but no real life or solutions. Grumpy’s focus may be a result of what comes ‘naturally’ out of his head, skewed perception and then mouth. I don’t think his words will invite the filling of the Holy Spirit and overflow to others or participate with “His vision and purposes for our lives”.
Hope this is getting back on track.
Even one of the 7 dwarfs was ”grumpy”. Maybe Debi should ”whistle while she works”!
The ”champagne” of fleshly counsel might taste delightful for a few moments, but …like Jesus told the woman at the well in the Gospel of John, when you drink this ”champagne” you will get thirsty again” [slight paraphrase] But who drinks the water of the HOLY SPIRIT will never thirst and riivers of living water will gush forth from his inward man to bring refreshing, godly counsel and deliverance to those who drink from those living waters. Seems to me from your original questions, Sara…the filling with the .Holy Spirit has GOT to come first….then we speak a word in due season.
Good discussion by all.