Ian & Jocelyn Barker

Paul concludes the last section (5:6-14) by exhorting us to wake up and Christ will shine on us. He continues his exhortation by instructing us to be wise in our walks, because the “days are evil.” We are to be filled with the Spirit, not with wine, so that we can exhort each other and the Lord through song and melody. We are to be thankful to the Lord and be subject to one another.

It is interesting that he encourages us to make the “most of your time” because the days are evil. Being wise in our walk is linked with making the most of the time that we have. It could be that Paul was counter-acting a slothful and entertainment spirit that was indulging in wine. Instead of indulging in entertainment and fun, he tells them to be wise about what they are doing with their time because the days are evil. We can always spend more time in prayer and Bible study. But we also can spend more time in relationships or in serving others. We can make use of our time by using it to combat the worldly spirit that is around us.

It is interesting that he encourages the Ephesians to be filled with the Spirit by speaking to one another and singing to the Lord. We really value the singing to the Lord part at IHOP, but it is awkward for me to speak to someone else a psalm or hymn. But this is what being filled with the Spirit is! Two more ways that we can live in these evil days, is to give thanks to the Lord, and “be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.” Being subject to each other is a very Kingdom of God practice and not a kingdom of darkness practice. But humility is a wise course of action.