Getting Drunk

Getting Drunk
 
“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.” Ephesians 5.18, 19
 

I have always been fascinated by the illustrations, parables and metaphors nestled within the pages of God’s Word. Who would have ever imagined using a donkey (one that spoke, no less) and a wayward, self-centered prophet to teach spiritual truths? Or, who would have considered the hair on one’s head as a reference to the special watch-care with which our heavenly Father attends to us.
 
In Ephesians 5.18, the Apostle Paul uses a drunk to compare the believer’s devotion to and filling with God’s Spirit.
 
Several thoughts come to my mind. The drunk never sets out to be a drunk – he is fascinated by the buzz that the drink offers. After much use, he begins to be able to “hold his liquor,” and requires more of the substance to satisfy his growing desire for that initial feeling of euphoria. In his pursuit, he becomes slave to his own lusts as his sensitivity dulls and his body erodes.
 
I admire those who have beaten the bottled evil; however, we must openly admit that no one would ever have become a drunk if they had never taken the first drink. Even those who have beaten this problem can never say, “I am free from this slave master.” Success is a day-to-day battle in which they must put on their armor daily and actively resist.
 
The Bible says: “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” (Romans 6.16, 17)
 
I suppose Paul uses wine as an example because so many modern indulgences were not present in the times of the early church. They had no narcotics or video games – no cruise liners or high speed airplanes – no internet or eBay. We each are tempted by various forces – most, in themselves, are harmless when experienced in moderation – most, become debilitating when they become obsessions. At best, these obsessions steal our valuable time that could be used in more profitable endeavors.
 
“And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.” (I Corinthians 7.31)
 
Whatever is of the world, even great power and popularity, fades into oblivion sooner or later. All of the efforts and determination to attain is wasted upon the temporal; however, we have a choice. We can yield ourselves to the Spirit of God with the same enthusiasm as the world pursues that which passes away. Rather than filling our idle hours with games and intoxicants, we can fill our lives with eternal things – things of God. We are to lap up, drink in, and pursue avidly those things of the Spirit – to the point of being completely controlled by His presence.
 
Pursue Him as ardently as the addict pursues his intoxicants. Become His servant as you choose to yield yourself to His control.
 
While the things of the world fade and destroy – the things of God’s Spirit never diminish and always strengthen. Being filled with God’s Spirit will set your heart to singing.
 
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16.11)
 
“If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.” (Job 36.11)