Devotion

QT 02/05/2025 Fri. Ephesians 5:15–21 Uplifted by wine or Spirit? 被酒还是被圣灵激励？

QT 02/05/2025 Fri. Ephesians 5:15–21 Uplifted by wine or Spirit? 被酒还是被圣灵激励？
Ephesians 5:18–19 [18] And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, [19] addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, (ESV)

QT 02/05/2025 Fri. Ephesians 5:15–21 Uplifted by wine or Spirit? READ https://www.esv.org/eph5:15–21

A heart that pumps with excitement is not a surprise for any human being. It is not unthinkable but can be entirely proper at times. Indeed, the Scripture pointed to these times of shouting for joy, (Psalms 5:11, 32:11 & 35:27, etc) and being full of joy (Psalm 16:11, Luke 2:10, 1Peter 1:8).

Exhilaration (兴奋), is not wrong by itself—this depends on how the process to achieve this result. Paul taught that it is improper for exhilaration to be achieved by excessive use of wine. Paul forbade not the use of wine, but its abuse (see also 1Timothy 5:23).

Ephesians 5:15–19 [15] Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. [18] And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, [19] addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, (ESV)

Not only were the Ephesians and the early church in danger of the abuse of wine or any other intoxicating mixtures that contained alcohol, the exhortation of Paul is certainly still relevant for today’s worshippers.

Paul taught that the church overseer must not be one who lingers beside his wine (1Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7), applicable to the deacons too (1Timothy 3:8) and the elderly women in Titus’ congregation then who were prone to be enslaved to much wine (Titus 2:3). Today’s text exhorted every believers in this matter.

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REFLECTION: Some of us are depressed, worried or just chronically lethargic. However, intoxication is not the effective remedy for these conditions. The so-called “uplift” which wine and similar drinks provide are not real nor long lasting solutions. Don’t you agree?
Ephesians 5:20–21 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [21] submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (ESV)

APPLICATION:  The worshippers who are already Spirit-sealed at conversion (Ephesians 1:13–14) are now to use the Scriptures, or psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that contain orthodox Scriptural contents to speak to each other, to remind each other and, if need be, to admonish one another. We have the duty to minister to one another, care for one another as long as we are a member of the body of Christ. Be uplifted, properly!

QT 02/05/2025 星期五. 以弗所书5:15–21 被酒还是被圣灵激励？
阅读 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph5%3A3-14&version=CNVS

心潮澎湃对任何人来说都不足为奇。它并非不可想象，有时甚至是完全正确的。事实上，《圣经》指出了这些欢呼的时刻（诗篇5:11、32:11 和 35:27 等）和充满喜乐的时刻（诗篇16:11、路加福音2:10、彼得前书1:8）。

兴奋（exhilaration）本身并没有错--这取决于实现这一结果的过程。保罗教导说，通过过度饮酒来达到兴奋是不恰当的。保罗禁止的不是使用酒，而是滥用酒（另见提摩太前书 5：23）。

以弗所书 5:15-19 [15]  所以，你们行事为人要谨慎，不要像愚昧人，却要像聪明人。16 要把握时机，因为这时代邪恶。17 因此，不要作糊涂人，要明白什么是主的旨意。18 不要醉酒，醉酒能使人放荡乱性，却要让圣灵充满。19 应当用诗章、圣诗、灵歌，彼此呼应，口唱心和地赞美主。

不仅以弗所人和早期教会面临着滥用酒或任何其他含酒精的醉酒混合物的危险，保罗的劝诫对今天的崇拜者来说无疑仍然具有现实意义。

保罗教导说，教会的监督不可酗酒（提摩太前书 3：3；提多书 1：7），这也适用于执事（提摩太前书 3：8）和提多牧养会众中的老年妇女，她们很容易被许多酒所奴役（提多书 2：3）。今天的经文就此事劝勉每一位信徒。

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反思：我们当中有些人情绪低落、忧心忡忡或长期昏昏欲睡。然而，醉酒并不是治疗这些症状的有效方法。酒和类似饮料所提供的所谓 “振奋 ”并不是真正的、持久的解决办法。你同意吗？
以弗所书 5:20-21 [20] 凡事要奉我们主耶稣基督的名，常常感谢父　神，21 还要存敬畏基督的心，彼此顺服。

应用：已经在信主时被圣灵封印的敬拜者（以弗所书 1：13-14）现在要使用圣经，或包含正统圣经内容的诗篇、赞美诗和灵歌，彼此交谈，互相提醒，必要时互相劝诫。 只要我们是基督肢体的一员，我们就有责任彼此服侍，彼此关怀。让我们振作起来，正确地振作起来！

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