The Manifestations of Spirit-Filling: Thanksgiving

There are at least eight manifestations of Spirit-filling in the New Testament, four of which are in our text.. The first is music (Eph. 5:19a) and second, there is worship (v. 19b). Third, there is thanksgiving—Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:20).

If we are Spirit-filled, thanksgiving will flow from us like water over Niagara Falls. Giving thanks translates eucharisteō, the root of which is charis (“grace”) with the prefix eu (“good or well”). The obvious idea, then, is “to give good grace,” that is, to express deep gratitude. Indeed, with “grace” at the root, how can we not express thanks? Our text reveals four principles about thanksgiving. 

First, there is the time of thanksgiving (always). Let us each ask ourselves, “When do I thank the Lord?” We can put ourselves to the test and see whether or not we are truly thankful by considering the three occasions for thanking God.

1. The occasion of blessing. This is the easiest time to be thankful. It is easy to be thankful when all goes well; it is easy to thank God for what He has given and what He is doing. We do not discount this occasion; it is important to be thankful during these times, but it still is the easiest time to be thankful.

2. The occasion of trial. It is at this time that we are thankful (and we tell God we are thankful) for the pain, the problems, and the perplexities which come our way. James goes into great detail in his discussion of trials in the Christian life (Jas. 1:2-12). He tells us that we are to be joyful in trials. Now, “joy” does not mean that we will not be sad, burdened, grieved, or sorrowful when problems and tragedies come. 

Rather, joy can be defined as, The peace and security which we have in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You see, we can evaluate trials differently than the world does; we can evaluate them in light of knowing that God is using them to strengthen us and to help us grow. Trials actually work for us, not against us. Just remember, trials are for our good and God’s glory.

But we all have at one time or another said something such as, “But I feel so bad that I just don’t feel thankful!” I once read these words by Joni Eareckson Tada, a well-known quadriplegic who is quite an accomplished artist, drawing pictures by holding the drawing instrument in our mouth: “Giving thanks is not a matter of feeling thankful, but it is a matter of being obedient.” 

3. The occasion of anticipation. Can we thank God in advance of what is going to take place? Can we say, “Lord, thank you for what is to come whether it be blessing or trial?” That is indeed the height of maturity and trust in the Lord. As Job said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).

Second, there is the content of thanksgiving (for all things). This takes our previous thoughts one step further. Why do we thank God for everything? Because He has given us everything! As James tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father” (1:17). May we never forget that whatever comes our way is noble and purposeful and we are to thank God for it.

The late pastor Ray Stedman recounts his days in the Navy, where he ate in the Mess Hall. He makes the comment that if you have ever saw a Navy food tray, you’d know why they call it the Mess Hall. He recalls a day when he and a Christian friend were sitting across from a burly non-Christian quartermaster. As always, his and his friend bow their heads and thanked God for the food, after which Stedman’s friend began complaining about the food. Suddenly the non-Christian man across from them said, “Look, didn’t you just give thanks for that slop. Then shut up and eat it!” He was right. You can’t give thanks and then complain. We are to thank God for all things. 

Third, there is the recipient of thanksgiving (the Father). By now this is clear to us. We thank God the Father for all things. Even though someone else gives us something, it still comes from the Father. 

Fourth, there is the pattern of thanksgiving (in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ). There is actually no way to be thankful other than through our Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because it is only through Him that we have anything. It is through Christ that we have salvation, have access to the Father in prayer, and have provision and blessing. 

So may we see that to be Spirit-filled is to be thankful all the time, for all things, to the Father, through the Savior. Dear Christian, are you really thankful?