Isaiah - Verse By Verse

Thought:  To me, the fullness of the Holy Spirit is a much better alternative to the so-called "high" of drinking alcohol.

Question:  Have I ever been "filled with" the Holy Spirit?

Scripture:  Ephesians 5:18 (NIV):  "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead be filled with the Spirit."

It seems here that the problem is debauchery, not drinking wine.  So it seems to be an issue of temperance or balance.  We are not to overdo the drinking to a point of drunkeness.  When we do we slip into debauchery.  "Debauchery" (Webster):  to corrupt in morals, to pollute, excess.  From the French, "lure from work."  Those who overdo the drinking fall under its control until all parts of the life are overtaken.  One who is debauched cannot work at all anymore but becomes completely controlled by the urge to continue drinking.  It replaces other desires.  God has an alternative, though!  "Be filled with the Spirit."  Be overtaken and controlled by the Holy Spirit instead of the spirits of the bottle.  Then His Spirit replaces all other desires.  We are filled up with the Holy desires of God and so function as His instrument, His servant.  We are led by Him, not self.

Man apparently is designed to be a follower of something.  There is in man a bent to be yielded to some stronger power.  Christ said we will either follow Him or remain under the influence of "our father, the devil."  Man is never autonomous.  He is either filled with God and serving Him, or filled with Satan and serving him.  When we think we are deciding something ourselves, all we're really doing is choosing which controller to give ourselves to.  Paul says here that we should choose the control of the Holy Spirit rather than alcohol.

Also thus implied is that the Holy Spirit can make us feel as "high" as does alcohol!  (Or higher!)  When under the grasp of God we can let go, let loose, and know that God will lead us and take care of responsibilities beyond us.  To be filled with His Spirit is to be incredibly free; as Christ said, "free indeed."  Alcohol appeals similarly:  drinkers let go, let loose, especially of responsibility.  Man was created, however, to be directed by God.  He was never intended to bear so much all alone.  We are not, though, to be irresponsible, but we are to realize that our one primary responsibility is to yield to God.  (And that is a plenty large-enough job!)

All these verses are a guide out of darkness and into light; the light of understanding what God's will is.  Chapter 4 verse 17 begins the context of this theme.  We are told to stop imitating the lifestyle of gentiles who are in darkness, and to put on the new man of Christ instead.  Then Paul specifies several evils that should be shunned.  He goes on to talk about how light exposes and reveals evil.  One such evil is becoming drunk with wine.  When we can see it for what it really is, no one would choose it.

Prayer:  Loving Father, I know You want to fill me and carry my burdens.  Help me turn to You always for filling strength and give up any earthy substitutes.  Amen. 

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