"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"
(Ephesians 5:18)
We often stop right there, quick to point out the dangers of alcohol. But look closerâthere's no period. This isn't the whole sentence or even the whole thoughtâit's only a small piece of the whole, which spans across four verses.
Paul doesn't end with "don't get drunk." He goes on to show us the richer alternative. Here's the complete thought:
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."
(Ephesians 5:18â21)
Notice the contrast: drunkenness versus fullness.
Think about how alcohol takes over a person. If someone is full of Jack Daniels, it shows. It shapes how they talk, how they act, and what they value. Jack brings excessâtoo many words, too much bravado, too little self-control.
Don't let Jack do that to you.
Let the Holy Spirit do that to you.
Just as you can spot a man under the influence of liquor, you can also recognize a man under the influence of the Spirit.
Being filled with the Spirit changes everything:
- How you speak
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songsâŚ" - What you sing
"Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." - How you see life
"Giving thanks always for all thingsâŚ" - How you treat others
"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."
A bottle of whiskey offers a cheap imitation of peace and joy that fades by morning. The Spirit brings a lasting gladness and holy steadiness no hangover can touch. And even if you never touch alcohol, that alone isn't sufficient to obey this command.
Be filled with the Spirit.
So, who's filling you up? Jack or Jesus? Look at your words, hear your song, check your gratitude, and examine your humilityâand you'll know.