“Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”
What a contrast! Paul has just been drawing a word picture for his readers on how not to behave, a picture of living in spiritual darkness, following the desires of this world instead of living in the light of the Lord Jesus Christ. In contrast to the examples he gives of immorality, impurity, obscenity and greed, among others, Paul then portrays the Christian who is going on being filled with God’s Holy Spirit day after day. The consequence and the contrast are a life of joy where the things of God are constantly on a person’s lips and where praise to the living God is never far away. An impossible ideal? Just something to be hoped for but never realised? No! With God, it is always possible! God’s Spirit can transform our lives today and make Paul’s words a reality for each of us. Darkness or light? The evil of the world or spirit-filled joy and worship? Which will you choose?