Singing vs. Drinking: What Music Does for Us
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:18-20 God gives us what we need. In the final three chapters of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul frequently uses a "not this, but that" formula: Lay aside falsehood and instead speak truth. Quit stealing and instead work so you have something to share. Knock off the rotten speech, and start using your words to build others up. Replace foolishness with an understanding of God's will. Over and over, Paul tells Christians not to just give up the trappings of worldliness, but to replace them with God's good things. The point is clear: Yes, as Christians we have to leave some things behind. But God, in His goodness, promises to replace the wo