Therefore do not be foolish, but understand the will of the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:17
When Paul writes in Ephesians 5:17, “understand the will of the Lord,” he immediately continues, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery.”
Merriam-Webster defines debauchery as extreme, wild behavior that overindulges in physical pleasures such as heavy drinking, drug use, or casual sex. It often describes a messy, uninhibited lifestyle that people view as immoral.
HELPS Word-studies offers a particularly helpful insight into the word debauchery:
810 asōtía (from a "without" and sōzō, "to save") — properly, what cannot be saved; waste. Figuratively, it speaks of prodigality and spiritual wastefulness caused by excessive behavior and the destructive consequences it brings.
There is much to be said about today's church culture, where we sometimes see liberty carried to the point of excess, causing many to stumble. I am personally mindful of Paul's exhortation in Romans 14 not to promote anything that could cause another believer to stumble.
Paul then continues, showing us more of the Lord's will in Ephesians 5:18–21:
“But be filled with the Spirit,
giving thanks always and for everything...
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
There is another interesting word-study note concerning the phrase ‘for everything’. HELPS Word-studies explains hypér (for) as expressing benefit—"for the sake of betterment," conveying the idea of improvement or extending benefit to another (see also 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Romans 8:28).
The blessing of all three exhortations lies in our willingness to obey. Every moment of "wanting to" rests within our God-given ability to choose. God is not looking for sacrifice or offerings, but for a heart like Jesus'—a heart that delights to do His will.
John's Gospel reminds us of the authority Jesus received from the Father to lay down His life and to take it up again. He laid it down for the purpose of bringing us into oneness. Our hearts should reflect that same purpose.
Being filled with the Spirit maintains our fellowship with the Father and our unity with one another. Giving thanks always, in every circumstance, keeps us mindful that God is working something good even when we cannot yet see it. Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ, walking in humble obedience and the fear of the Lord, allows His blessing to flow freely among His people.
We do these things for no other purpose than "out of reverence for Christ." Proverbs reminds us that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and Isaiah tells us that Jesus Himself delighted in the fear of the Lord.
It is often in the small, daily choices that we find ourselves faltering. The pressure that comes from people who expect immediate answers can be difficult to navigate. As a new pastor, I learned a valuable lesson from a seasoned minister who asked, "Who is requiring this of you—God, yourself, or others? Ultimately, your obedience must rest with God."
It is a broad statement, I know, but one that has served me well in times of uncertainty.
To know that God is at work in us, both to will and to do His good pleasure, gives us confidence that we can become everything He has created us to be and accomplish everything He has called us to do.
Living with the awareness that oneness is God's purpose leads us toward maturity and spiritual growth as we choose, day by day, to delight in doing His will.