Ephesians

Fourth Day: Review Ephesians 5:15-21, concentrating on verses 15-18.

1. Paul has been telling us not to be foolish and unwise, not to live as non-Christians live. We are not to have the attitudes and actions of the world, but instead are to live by faith, believing what God has said, and understanding His will for the way we live our lives. What do you learn about wisdom and living wisely from James 3:13-17?

2. From 1 Timothy 6:9-10, describe those who live in an unwise manner.

3. a. From Ephesians 5:18a, what has Paul specifically instructed us not to do, and why?

b. What are we to do instead? (Ephesians 5:18b)

4. The Greek word translated “debauchery” means “an abandoned, dissolute life.” ⁹ Paul is contrasting two opposing kinds of influence on our lives—God’s Holy Spirit vs. drunkenness. When you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, the Holy Spirit came to live in you. You are sealed by the Spirit, and you are indwelt by the Spirit, but you are also to continue to be filled by the Spirit (this is a quiet yielding to and drinking from the inner supply of strength given by the Spirit for individual situations). Read Romans 8:6. Compare the life lived under the control of the Holy Spirit to the life that is not.

5. Personal: Paul says that life is to be lived with the recognition that demands and pressures come all the time. How do you meet these demands and deal with the pressures?