09/02/2018
What songs do you sing when you are with your friends? Do you sing popular songs of today, old favorites from the past, folk songs, holiday songs, campfire songs, or perhaps drinking songs? Well, we are told in Ephesians that as believers we are to remain sober, greet one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as we sing to the Lord, and to be filled with the Spirit. How should we interpret this? Is singing anything other than hymns taboo?
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,”
Ephesians 5:18-19 ESV
The answer to the “taboo question” regarding singing popular songs, or others, is that they are fine to sing outside of worship, as long as they are not sinful, sacrilegious, or vulgar in some way, but we are also to remain in control of our faculties. The point of this scripture deals with the singing one does while under the influence of strong drink, or otherwise mentally impaired in some way. We get a further understanding by reading the previous scripture...
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:17 ESV
And the scripture which follows our initial reading...
“giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Ephesians 5:20-21 ESV
Thus, this passage has to do with remaining in control of oneself, and to not use alcohol to heighten receptiveness in worship like some heathen religions of that time were accustomed to doing. When those watching what occurred to the disciples when the Holy Spirit fell upon them at Pentecost, and they began to speak in tongues, their first reaction was that these Jesus people were drunk! Why did they think this, and how would we perceive such a scene today?
If you were in the heart of any city, town, or village, and suddenly a group of people poured onto the street speaking or singing wildly in an unintelligible manner and behaving oddly, what would you think? What would your first reaction be? Well, I dare say you would think they were drunk, or under the influence of drugs. Furthermore, if these men and women were wearing religious clothing, or waving bibles in the air what would your reaction be... would you find this disgraceful? Would you wonder what denomination this was? Would you determine that you would not have anything to do with such practices or people? A Jew in Jerusalem would have had all of these same feelings.
I have been in church services where the Holy Spirit fell and people were running the aisles, falling to the floor, and speaking or singing in strange tongues. The first time I saw such a thing, it was unsettling, and if I had not been privy to the fact that these same people had been completely normal and sober just moments before, I would have been inclined to say that they were drunk or in someway demented. But as it were, they were filled with the Spirit. I have seen healings performed, and prophesies delivered that defied belief... and yet they occurred. So the Ephesians were told to be sober, and in control of their faculties... otherwise they would be confused with heathen worshippers, or viewed as common drunks.
So today we have denominations that strongly encourage the speaking of tongues and these other things, we have denominations that tolerate such signs but not as a normal part of worship, we have denominations in which such behavior is considered totally unacceptable, and we have denominations that are incredibly stoic within service, but imbibe heavily at weddings and other gatherings. We have the full range of behavior in the Christian Church as it comes to the use of alcohol, song, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
So what is right? How should we behave and worship? Well in church we should limit our singing to Psalms, hymns and other spiritual songs. At all times we should not get drunk or be foolish, but remain sober and of sound mind, and as for the Holy Spirit, that is up to the Lord and He will dispense it as He wishes, and as His children are inclined to receive it.
The Holy Spirit is a very personal part of each believer’s walk with Jesus, and God. The Apostles were promised it, and they prayed for it until they received it. One did not, and he did not receive it with the others; yet it is a fact that the members of the early church received it as a matter of course. Today we are promised the Holy Spirit and the power it brings to us just as the apostles were, so the questions become these... how will you pray, and do you wish to receive it? I can tell you that there are believers in every denomination who have received the Spirit, but not all of them openly reveal this. The more stoic churches view such people as saints because they work miracles (often quietly), and the others know such believers, and the spiritual signs as well.
So stay sober, sing worship songs from your heart, and pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”
Ephesians 5:1-2, 8 ESV
Pray:
Father, I thank you for being the focus of my life, for sending your Son Jesus Christ to redeem me from sin and death, and for your Holy Spirit who comforts me, brings all things to my remembrance, and pours out your power through me as your will requires. I can’t imagine my life without you Father, and I praise you in my soberness, and unencumbered ability to worship you clearly, and with all my heart, mind, and soul. Help me Holy Father to remain clear of mind as I approach your Word, and steady as I stand before you in worship. Hear the Words of my singing Lord, and know that they are good and the outpouring of my heart to you. There is no God but you, and nothing should impair my vision of your greatness; nothing outside my understanding and love should be necessary to enhance my praise, and my love for you! When I walk among those who are not believers, and they see you in me, let them see a steady and great God, not my foolishness, or drunkenness, not the sins that I might be inclined to succumb to. Help me today and always in my belief, and behavior so that I am not a disgrace in your eyes. You are my God, and your character my greatest desire, Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, and in whose Spirit I receive comfort and power. Praised be your name!
“for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."”
Ephesians 5:14 ESV
Rich Forbes