Ephesians 5:18-21
And 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.
First, note that Spirit-filled saints edify fellow believers through worship. It’s not true that our praise and worship should be purely vertical–directed to God only. Anointed worship also has a horizontal dimension, as we address “one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” v19a). The Holy Spirit enables us to sing both familiar and new songs that glorify God and inspire our neighbours.
Beloved, true worship is never selfish! It’s never exclusive, elitist or proud. The Spirit who enables us to love the Father, also enables us to care about our brethren as we worship our Heavenly Father together.
Second, Spirit-filled saints worship the Lord melodiously from the heart (v19b). That is quite different from praising God only from our lips. True worship is not so much about a great voice as it is about a grateful heart (v20). Beloved, before our lips worship, our hearts must do so. Anointed worship overflows from the inside out. May you enjoy the beauty and power of worship that erupts from a Spirit-filled, grateful heart today!
Pastor Josh