Paul’s letter to the Ephesians in the final two chapters has a lot to say about the most powerful way to impact society. I personally can think of no greater area in my life that needs to be empowered by the Holy Spirit than my relationship with other people. Paul outlines for us four areas in which we need to apply the Spirit’s power (walk in wisdom) as it relates to these relationships:
•5:19-21 Church
•5:22-33 Marriage
•6:1-4 Family
•6:5-9 Work
In each of these areas, there is an order that is established by God that ensures harmony for the differing relationships. Paul gave us these his words in 5:21: “submitting to one another in the fear of God”; the voluntarily relinquishing of our rights to each other out of our love for God is the key.
Most people recognize that our society is slipping away, and if it is not soon redirected as a nation, we will implode from moral corruption long before outside invasion. It is here that the Bible speaks to literally the heart of the issue as God gives His citizens a “new heart,” which attacks the reason for moral corruption in society, the “self-centered” life.