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"Don’t be drunk with wine, because that
will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit
fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves . . . And
you will always give thanks for everything to God
. . . And further, you will submit to one another
out of reverence for Christ. You wives will submit
to your husbands . . . . And you husbands must love
your wives with the same love Christ showed the church.
. . . Children, obey your parents because you belong
to the Lord . . . . Slaves, obey your earthly masters
with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as
you would serve Christ."
"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives,
he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. Those who belong to
Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires
of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified
them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit,
let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part
of our lives."
— New Living Translation
What do you think?
- What does it mean to have "self-control?"
Give examples.
- Describe a person who is out of control.
- Have you ever been so happy that you couldn’t
think of anything else other than what made you
happy?
- Have you ever been so angry that you couldn’t
think of anything else other than what made you
angry?
What does God think?
Why do you suppose Paul compares being drunk with
letting God control us (Eph. 5:19)?
Paul tells us to let God’s Spirit fill and control
us (Eph. 5:18). How?
Paul indicates that there are seven distinguishing
features of being controlled by God’s Spirit
(Eph. 5:19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 6:1, 5). What areas in
your life are affected when God’s Spirit controls
you?
Note: Though you may not be a husband or wife,
the general principle still applies that God’s
Spirit helps you respect and sacrificially love
others!
Do you obey your parents to stay out of trouble or
are you under the influence of God’s Spirit (Eph.
6:1)?
Note: Mature Christians obey because it’s
the right thing to do, not because it gets them
what they want!
Why does Paul list so many features to describe the
Spirit’s control over our lives when he says
there is only one fruit (Gal. 5:22)? Hint: Can a person
be loving and impatient? Kind, but out of control?
In your own words describe what Paul means by crucifying
the sinful nature (Gal. 5:24)?
Does Gal. 5:24 mean you won’t struggle with
sin anymore? Explain.
Those who have been born again should be doing what
(Gal. 5:25)?
If a person refuses to follow the Holy Spirit’s
leading, is it possible they are not true Christians
(Gal. 5:24-25; see, Rom. 8:9-12)?
Now that you know these things . . .
- When Paul originally wrote Eph. 5:18, he insisted
that you must always, everywhere, and under every
circumstance allow God’s Spirit to fill and
control you. What can you do to remember this important
command?
- Most of the time, do you find yourself making
important decisions without waiting for God to direct
you? How do you plan to change?
- What sinful pattern in your life can be crucified
and brought under God’s control? Are you committed
to changing this?
- Do you have a relationship that’s not under
the Spirit’s influence? How can you allow God
to begin taking charge of this relationship?
- Memorize Galatians 5:22-25 and recite it 5 times
every day.
- Pick one area of your life that you intend on
letting God control and commit it to prayer. Ask
one other person to pray for you and hold you accountable
to change.
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