Keeping in Step with the Spirit (Ephesians 5)

Sha'Leda Mirra
Sep 7
3 min read

How to live a careful, Spirit-filled, worship-saturated life that matches the rhythm of heaven.

Why “keeping in step” matters

If you’ve ever watched a great step team, you know the power of unified movement—same direction, pace, and rhythm. Paul uses that same idea for the Christian life. In Ephesians, “keeping in step with the Spirit” isn’t hype; it’s a way of walking-daily choices that align our lives with God’s heartbeat.

Scripture: “Be very careful, then, how you live… be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5:15, 18)“Follow God’s example… and walk in the way of love.” (Eph. 5:1–2)“Walk as children of light… and find out what pleases the Lord.” (Eph. 5:8–10)

Key Takeaway: The Spirit sets the pace; we align our steps.

What “keeping in step” means in Ephesians

1) Watch Your Step -Wisdom (Eph. 5:15–17)

Paul starts with attention: “Be very careful how you walk.” The days are noisy and distracted; wisdom redeems time on purpose.

Ask in planning: What’s the wisest use of this hour for God’s purposes?
Trade 30 minutes of scrolling for prayer, Scripture, or service.
Discern God’s will in ordinary choices (budget, calendar, conversations).

Mini-practice: Do a 7-day time audit. Where does your attention go? What will you redeem next week?

2) Receive the Spirit’s Filling -Power (Eph. 5:18)

“Be filled with the Spirit” is present, focused, imperative-keep on being filled. It’s not self-inflation or a selfish ambition but Spirit-influence: steady, clarifying, empowering.

Yield all of you to God: Speech, Schedule, Spending, Screens.
Expect the Spirit to empower what the Word commands.

Breath prayer (AM & midday): “Holy Spirit, I yield. Fill me to do Your will today.”

3) Let the Spirit Set the Rhythm-Worship & Community (Eph. 5:19–21)

Paul shows the sound of a Spirit-filled life with four participles:

Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs
Singing and making melody to the Lord from the heart
Giving thanks always and for everything
Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ

Translation for daily life:

Word-saturated speech: Our conversations disciple each other.
Whole-hearted praise: Not just songs on Sunday but melody in mundane moments.
Gratitude reflex: Let thanksgiving replace grumbling.
Mutual honor: Shift our perspectives to that of honoring others even in their imperfect moments.

Filter: If it doesn’t deepen worship, gratitude, or mutual honor, it’s off-beat with the Spirit.

4) Walk in Love (Eph. 5:1–2, 8–10)

Imitate the Father; pattern love after the Son who “gave Himself up for us”; bear the fruit of the Spirit-goodness, righteousness, truth.

Before a decision, ask: “Does this please the Lord?”
Keep short accounts: confess quickly, forgive freely, make restitution when needed.

5) Bring the Spirit into the Everyday (Eph. 5:22–6:9; 6:10–18)

The Spirit’s cadence shows up most where we live and work:

Christlike honor in marriages, families, workplaces.
“Praying at all times in the Spirit” (6:18) as our posture in conflict.
The armor of God is not costume-it’s character under pressure.

A Simple Rule of Life: STEP

S — Surrender (morning): Open-hands prayer: “Fill me, lead me.” Read Ephesians 1:15–23 or 3:14–21.
T — Tune In (midday): Pause for 3 slow breaths. Thank God for one gift. Ask for wisdom for the next task.
E — Engage in Love (daily): Do one concrete act of self-giving love for someone who can’t repay you.
P — Practice Gratitude (evening): Name 3 graces from the day; confess 1 misstep; plan 1 encouragement for tomorrow.

“Step Team” Checks for your church or small group

Unison (Unity): Are our words building each other (4:29; 5:19), or tearing down?
Timing (Obedience): Do we move when God opens doors (5:16), or stall from fear?
Dynamics (Worship): Do we sound like gratitude more than grumbling (5:20)?
Formations (Submission): Are we arranging ourselves to honor others (5:21), not ourselves?

Frequently Asked Heart-Questions

“What if I feel nothing?”Keep stepping. Obedience often precedes emotion. The Spirit meets surrendered rhythms.

“What if I failed yesterday?”Confess, receive mercy, and take the next right step. Grace is a cadence, not a loophole.

“How do I know it’s the Spirit?”Check the triad: Word (aligned with Scripture), Way (produces love, joy, peace…), Witness (honors Jesus and serves others).

Prayer

Holy Spirit, set our pace. Father, give us wisdom to redeem our days. Lord Jesus, tune our hearts to Your melody of love. Fill us again so our speech builds up, our worship rises, our gratitude overflows, and our lives submit in reverence to You. Make us a people who move as one under Your lead. Amen.

Reflection Prompts (for comments or journaling)

Where is my walk careless instead of careful? What wisdom step will I take this week?
Which relationship needs the grace of mutual submission? What will that look like in action?
What habit most hinders Spirit-filling (distraction, resentment, impurity)? What’s my replacement practice?

Rev. Dr. Sha'Leda A. Mirra
Senior Pastor of Saint Paul Ocala
September 7, 2025