Being Satisfied with God (Part 1 of 2)

Ephesians 5:15-21
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

The Context: Imitating God Positively

The beginning of this section deals with imitating God in what we should avoid. But the main focus here is what we should do proactively. The broader context from chapter 4 emphasizes not doing pointless things—activities with no value, no spiritual benefit, that don't aid salvation, Christian life, or kingdom work. These don't please God or benefit us.

Wasting time leads to degradation into sin. If we spend time on worthless pursuits, we miss opportunities for speech, thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that please God and enrich our lives.

People often know what you're against but not what you're for. Tonight, we address: Knowing what not to do, what should we do—especially in free time? That's where the real battles occur, in private moments, planning weekends, or hanging out. What do we do positively and proactively to spend time wisely?

Walk Wisely in Evil Days

Verse 15-16: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil.”

Doing nothing—not pursuing faith proactively—is evil by default. The days are wicked since the fall, until Christ's full redemption. Even with God's new mercies each morning, laziness wastes that grace. Waking up and spending the day without contributing to what pleases God is wicked.

To do nothing is not the answer. We must consider free time and busy time—jobs, school, chores. Even retirement has spiritual obligations. Free time lets us choose: friends, TV, video games, mall. Busy time can be wasted too, like slacking at a secular job.

For example, in high school, I worked at a sporting goods store owned by my uncle. I set my own hours and barely worked—coming in at 10 a.m., leaving at 11 a.m. That wasted the job. But purposeful activity makes even secular work meaningful.

Consider eternity: Web design or math (2+2=4) won't impress in heaven's perfect fellowship with God. Yet, pursuing these with the right activity prevents waste. We must carefully examine how we live, our motivations, thoughts, speech, attitudes, behaviors. If there's no biblical justification, it's foolish.

Even in relationships, thoughts matter—if sinful, it's sin. Serving while complaining wastes ministry. God doesn't save us from darkness for grumbling. Wasted discipleship can make proselytes “twice children of hell” (Matthew 23). Don't be foolish—understand the Lord's will.

Understanding God's Will

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification... that you know how to control your own body in holiness and honor.”

God's will is clear in Scripture—your sanctification: being set apart, growing closer to Christ, less sin, more God-pleasing actions. Self-control means saying no to wrong desires, passions, indulgences. Deny yourself, take up your cross daily (Luke 9:23). That's how Christians live—not for self, but for Christ.

Be Filled with the Spirit, Not Debauchery

Verse 18: “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” Debauchery is abandoning control—letting sin take over, like clicking sinful images or indulging without restraint. Don't let anything hinder clear thinking or body control.

One path is hard: saying no to temptation. The other is easy downhill: no control, saying yes to anything. Being filled with the Spirit means self-control—a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). True freedom in Christ is Spirit-control, not license for stumbling blocks or legalism accusations.

Ezekiel 36:27: God causes us to walk in His statutes—not lame rules, but spiritual benefit and pleasure to God. Fulfilling our purpose as worshipers brings satisfaction and joy.

“Filled” (Greek) also means “satisfied” with the Holy Spirit. Self-abandonment fools you into thinking it's enjoyable—it's foolish. Wisdom satisfies by living God's way. God rewards diligent seekers (Hebrews 11:6). Delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:4); align your will with His, and He says yes to what you want—though desires change to holy ones.

Holiness satisfies God eternally; the Spirit brings that to us. Being filled is passive—God does it. No rituals invoke Him. But we hinder by sin (Ephesians 4:30: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit”). Put off the old, put on the new—stop sexual sin, crude jokes, pointless talk, time-wasters.

Satisfaction is contentment in all circumstances, joy amid suffering, advantage over fallenness. Bask in God's wonders via the Spirit. Like desperate hunger met with abundant food, be filled and satisfied. God limits Himself by our sin, so avoid it to experience this filling.

The Expiration of Worldly Pleasures

Drunkenness, sexual immorality, and these other things are not ultimate satisfaction. If you think they are enjoyable, you're kidding yourself. Truly enjoyable is the presence of the Holy Spirit satisfying you with himself. He is infinite and doesn't run out. These other activities have an expiration date—it could be immediate or long-term, but they run out.

Consider Jesus at the wedding in Cana, John chapter 2. This was a blissful, joyous occasion in Judaism, a week-long celebration where the bride and groom were paraded like royalty. It had to be perfect. Wine symbolized joy, happiness, and celebration. At this wedding Jesus attended, the wine ran out—an embarrassment. Yet Jesus turned water into wine, symbolizing that from water—a circumstance—he pours out joy. If he can do that on the spot, that joy doesn't run out.

John 2 (Wedding at Cana)

Now at the right hand of the Father, Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit. He is not lesser; he confers the same all-satisfying, soul-satisfying joy. These other things—drunkenness, sexual immorality, crude joking—rob you of that.

Putting It into Practice: Imitating God

Start from Ephesians 5. A consistent activity, in free time or busy time—at work, school, or home—is imitating God. Primarily, when someone harms or wrongs us, imitate God through gospel motivation. Christ died for our sins, bearing God's wrath so we live in his love. So forgive them.

When wronged, they owe a debt. Forgiveness says the debt is paid—it's gone, not ammunition for later. You can still grieve consequences; forgive and don't hold it against them. Quench it and move on.

God values Christ's work as infinitely pleasing. Imitate that: esteem the gospel highest. Treasure Christ's commands—love God with all you have, love your neighbor as yourself. Redirect self-love to others: feed the hungry, meet spiritual needs. In a secular workplace, this makes you valuable—trustworthy, forgiving—glorifying God.

Imagine God's pleasure in your work done for his glory, like your first sale or homework success. Attribute it to him: every breath is his grace, sustaining life like he did for Adam.

Imitating God also means no coveting or jealousy. Crude joking gives a false free pass—"just kidding" excuses meanness, stupidity, or perversion. Don't engage.

Avoiding Sexual Immorality

Sexual immorality wastes time. Compared to within marriage, it's missing out. It's worth the wait—so much better, to God's glory. Choose right relationships.

Practical Activities with One Another

Paul says speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs—not literally singing "Amazing Grace" in conversation, but that's not wasting time. Make melody in your heart to the Lord—silently at work or school. Sing like you mean it.

Ephesians 5:19 – Speaking to one another... making melody to the Lord in your heart.

Verse 20: Give thanks always for everything to God the Father in Jesus' name—brushing teeth, youth group, video games (if not sinful), friendships, compliments. Thank God behind it all.

Ephesians 5:20 – Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Submitting Out of Reverence for Christ

Verse 21: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. If you value the cross, other Christians matter more than you. Care for their feelings, thoughts, well-being above your own.

Ephesians 5:21 – Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.