Many Christians struggle with understanding what it means to be "spirit empowered." Is it just about being spontaneous and doing whatever feels right? Or is there a more practical approach to walking by the Spirit that doesn't leave us confused and directionless?
The Problem with "Just Be Spontaneous"
Imagine if a high school teacher told students to just do whatever they felt led to do in class. Or if your boss said there were no policies or procedures - just follow your heart. What about a sports team where the coach said to ignore the playbook and just wing it? These scenarios would lead to chaos, not success.
The same principle applies to spiritual life. Being spirit empowered isn't about abandoning all structure and just "going with the flow." There's a better way to understand how we can cooperate with God's work in our lives.
Believe Daily That You Can Cooperate with the Lord
The key insight from Ephesians 5 is this: believe daily that you can cooperate with the Lord. This isn't about God doing everything while we passively wait. It's about understanding that we have a role to play in God's work both in us and through us.
Walking by the Spirit involves both knowing God's will and being empowered to do it. It's not a mystery that leaves us guessing - we can actually learn to cooperate with what God wants to accomplish.
What Does Scripture Say About Spirit-Filled Living?
In Ephesians 5:15-21, Paul gives practical guidance for spirit-empowered living:
Be Careful How You Live (v. 15-16)
Paul says to "be very careful then how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." This isn't about being spontaneous - it's about being intentional and wise with the life God has given you.
Understand God's Will (v. 17)
"Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." We have a responsibility to figure out what pleases the Lord. Sometimes it's obvious, sometimes it requires more discernment, but we're called to actively seek understanding.
Don't Escape - Engage (v. 18)
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Paul contrasts two ways of living: escaping through substances that dull our ability to think clearly and choose well, versus being filled with the Spirit to engage fully with life.
How Do We Cooperate with God's Work?
Receiving from God
Being spirit empowered starts with positioning ourselves to receive from God. This involves:
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Daily time in Scripture - letting God's word shape our thinking and desires
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Meaningful prayer - not just asking for things, but listening and receiving from God
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Biblical practices - routines that make us more like Jesus
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Community with other believers - surrounding ourselves with people who reflect Christ
The goal isn't to earn God's favor, but to position ourselves to receive what He wants to give us. Our relationship with God is primarily about receiving from Him what we need.
Giving to Others
What God puts into us through His Spirit naturally flows out to others. Paul describes this as:
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Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
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Singing and making music from our hearts to the Lord
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Always giving thanks to God
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Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ
This isn't just about church services - it's about bringing what God is doing in us into our regular relationships: family, work, school, and community.
What About Other Forms of Escape?
While Paul specifically mentions drunkenness, the principle applies to any behavior where we surrender our ability to think clearly and choose what's good. This could include:
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Substance abuse
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Excessive entertainment or social media
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Workaholism
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Any activity that crosses the line from healthy rest to unhealthy escape
The key question is: Am I using this to avoid responsibility and engagement with life, or am I using it for genuine rest and renewal?
A Practical Framework for Spirit-Empowered Living
Instead of wondering what it means to be spirit empowered, try asking these two questions daily:
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What does the Lord want to do IN me today? (How can I position myself to receive from Him?)
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What does the Lord want to do THROUGH me today? (How can I live out what He's putting in me?)
This framework helps us cooperate with God's work rather than just hoping something spiritual will happen to us.
Life Application
This week, commit to asking yourself these two questions each morning: "What does the Lord want to do in me today?" and "What does the Lord want to do through me today?"
Start by identifying one specific way you can position yourself to receive from God (perhaps through reading Scripture, prayer, or time with other believers). Then look for one opportunity to let what God is doing in you overflow to someone else in your regular relationships.
Questions for Reflection:
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What practices help you receive from God, and which ones have you been neglecting?
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Are there areas in your life where you're escaping rather than engaging with God's purposes?
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How can you be more intentional about letting God's work in you flow out to others in your daily relationships?
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What would change if you truly believed you could cooperate with God's work rather than just hoping He'll do something without your involvement?