The quest for unity, the common theme of this letter to the Ephesians, continues in a picturesque, yet tangible way. There are certain things we can actively do to promote unity in the church. The positive summation is to “be filled with the Spirit.” Some teach we are to allow the Holy Spirit to fill us up with Himself, like one would fill up a glass of water, and therefore becoming a spiritual Christian means we need more of the Spirit. However, this cannot be the case, for Jesus said, “He gives the Spirit without measure” (John  3:34b).

The more likely interpretation of this filling of the Spirit is by contrasting it as Paul does with being drunk. One who is inebriated has given himself over to being controlled by wine. Likewise, a person who is filled with the Spirit is one who gives himself over to being controlled by the Spirit. Do we not use similar language when we say things like, “George is full of anger” or “Debbie is full of envy.” By these we mean the person is controlled by their anger or envy. So being Spirit-filled is simply another way of saying a person is spirit-controlled. So we view Paul’s command as submitting oneself to be controlled by the Spirit.

What does this look like in action, then? This is not an esoteric experience of spiritual euphoria or wellbeing; in other words, it is not an emotional feeling as one feels when singing a sentimental hymn. Rather, Paul lays out for us what this looks like. Our conversation with others is characterized by music. There is a joyful overlay to our relationships that can only be expressed musically. As we submit to the Lord, the tension of sinfulness that corrupts peaceful relationships fades. Our focus is on the Lord, rather than being intoxicated with ourselves.

A few observations are in order: there seem to be three kinds of music represented here. Psalms would refer to the inspired music of the OT book of Psalms (along with other assorted psalms of scripture). Hymns refers to music that is composed and sung in worship and praise to God. These are God centered—not speaking of God, but speaking to God. Spiritual songs are those tunes and lyrics which speak of spiritual life in general. All three kinds of music are evident in the Spirit-filled life and congregation, for these are things we use outwardly to speak to one another and to worship and praise the Lord.