the song in the heart !

Paul exhorts us to be continually filled with the Spirit in Eph 5:18. He also wants the Word of God to dwell richly in our midst (Col 3:16). If we read carefully, we find that both of these are evidenced by spiritual songs and thankfulness in the heart. This is most surprising and has to be made note of. We usually associate Spirit-filling with power and Word-filling with knowledge. Some of us confuse being filled with the Spirit as always having some ecstasy experience like tongues, visions etc. Speaking in tongues is an initial evidence of being Spirit filled, (i.e. when we are baptized in Spirit for the first time) and moreover, it is the immediate effect and not the ongoing evidence of being Spirit filled. For then on, it becomes a manifestation of the Spirit just like any other gift like prophecy etc.

What we need to understand is that the song from the heart is much more important than we realize. The activity of God the Spirit in our heart is always accompanied by a sense of peace and joy. The entrance of His word also brings a similar reaction. We tend to forget that the psalms are actually songs. Songs that enrich the heart and mind at the same time. The psalm is vital to our sense of well being. Speaking to others in the spirit of the psalmist is even more necessary.