In the previous blog we saw that being filled in spirit is the same as letting the word of Christ dwell richly in us, because His words are spirit and life (John 6:63). In Ephesians 5, Paul gives three characteristics of being filled in spirit.
18 … but be filled in spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord.
speaking and making music
When the word of Christ dwells richly in us, we speak about it to one another. It is a word that rejoices and is an expression of joy that we sing. His word sounds like music to the ears and makes you happy.
Faith is primarily a matter of the heart and that is why it also starts in your heart, as Paul says here. When we understand his word, it touches the heart, just as music does. And out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
20 Always giving thanks for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and Father.
always giving thanks
The second mark of being filled in spirit is that we always give thanks for everything. When we know Him and understand what His will is, we can give thanks in everything (1 Thess. 5:18), but also for everything.
When we are confronted with misery, trouble, sorrow and pain, it is not a matter of joy at the moment (Heb.12:11). But we know that God is our Father and that He trains us and makes all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28), so that nothing is against us, nor can be (Rom. 8:31).
21 Submitting ourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
submitting
The third aspect that Paul mentions is that we should submit ourselves to one another. He mentions three examples of this in the passage that follows: husband and wife (5:22-33), parents and children (6:1-4) and masters and slaves (6:5-6-9). Or put differently: in marriage, family and at work.
When we are filled in spirit and know His word, we know that God has given us a certain role and position that suits us. In the world this is completely lost and that is not surprising, because the One who is at the top of the hierarchy is not acknowledged: God. But whoever does trust in God and His word, knows that He has established this order in His creation.
order and hierarchy
In 1 Corinthians 11:3 Paul shows four steps of hierarchy: first God, then Christ, then the man, and then the woman. Christ Himself submits to God and He is an example for us in this.
Later in this chapter Paul shows that the man is the head of the woman, just as Christ is the Head of the ecclesia (:23). The man would care for his wife, protect her, set her apart, lead her, guide her, etc. just as Christ does for the ecclesia. What a wonderful example for men to follow! And the woman, she may submit herself to this and enjoy it!