Do Not Drink Wine: But Be Filled With the Spirit (Eph. 5:17-21)
“…do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.” – Ephesians 5:17-21
Introduction: Today, we have many feel good churches. Many times, the average family upon looking for a home church considers how the church makes them feel, what the church is going to do for them, and if it’s convenient to attend regarding location and times. Some churches have changed the Bible message to try and make Christianity more convenient and attractive to the seeker. Many Christians choose to only practice Christianity on Sunday. They attend a religious service at whatever church makes them feel most comfortable. They give a small offering and are nice to fellow churchgoers, nothing that requires much effort on their part. This way they can have the rest of the week to themselves, to live as they please.
That would be convenient Christianity, but we know that following Jesus is a lifestyle and not only a Sunday convenient experience. Being a disciple calls for the giving up of our lives (Matt. 16:25). It’s about living as Jesus calls us to live, daily giving up our plans and purposes for His. A relationship with Him causes us to be concerned with our thoughts, decisions, attitudes, and actions. Faith in Christ is not just a single step, but also a life of walking with Him. Sper once said,
“The Christian life is more than just a prayer of faith made in the past; it’s dedicating every day to live for Christ and what will last.”
Jeremiah reported evidence that the priests, prophets, and preachers of his day were not speaking the truth (6:13). They told the people what they wanted to hear (v.14). The people didn’t want to learn about judgment, repentance, and their own lack of godliness. They eagerly accepted the message of hope and peace even though it was a pack of lies.
What about us? Do we listen only to those voices that tell us what we want to hear? Do we assume that all preachers tell the truth? Let’s make sure that we judge their message by the truths of the Bible. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are from God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). The Holy Spirit and the Word will alert us to false claims.
If you know the truth, you can discern what’s false.
Every year drug use increases and yet it pales in comparison to abuse of one worldwide addiction - drunkenness. Solomon once wrote this strong warning to his son, "Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1).
More people have suffered from the abuse of alcohol than from all other drug addictions combined. The following are some reasons to flee from any tendency to fall into the temptation of drunkenness.
1. Paul, the apostle, wrote, "Do not get drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18). Concentrate on letting the Spirit fill you up with His purpose, joy, and satisfaction instead of resorting to alcohol. There really is joy in serving, loving, and singing praise to Jesus. The satisfaction that you receive from alcohol is temporal and you will always have a point where you are sobered up and looking for something else to fulfill you. It might be more alcohol or it could be something else, but nothing will give you the purpose, satisfaction, and fulfillment like Jesus Christ offers us.
2. Noah, a great man of God who obeyed the Lord and saved His entire household through the building of the ark, became drunk and exposed his nakedness to his children to his own shame (Gen. 9:20-21). Great men can fall into disrepute because of the losing of self-control caused by alcohol. Noah never did any outstanding work after his drunkenness (Gen. 9:28-29). Thank God that we serve a God who gives us chance after chance to realize our need for a Savior. The bad news is, how do we know when it is our time to go? We don’t. We are to live in a manner that is pleasing to God so that when we pass, we are presentable to Him. Alcoholism is a dangerous disease that can only be healed through the love of Jesus Christ.
3. Nabal held a feast of drinking in his house and was smitten by the Lord (I Sam 25:37-38). Nabal’s loss of self-control disqualified him from great leadership. The Lord allowed Nabal’s wrong doing to be brought down on his own head. The Bible teaches that you will reap what you sew. We may not feel the result right away or we may, but God will not let any sin be looked over. God does not know a sin that He does not like. Don’t let alcohol be the disqualifier for you in God’s Kingdom. Let God use you to the fullest amount. God also does not know a sinner that He does not love. Repent, and be converted so that your sins may be blotted out.
4. Elah over indulged in strong drink and was assassinated while drunk in his steward’s house (I Kings 16:10). The Lord allowed a mighty king to be struck down in a time of weakness. The Lord knows that unless we are faithful in little things, we cannot stay qualified to be responsible over bigger things (Luke 16:10). Never get to the point where you think your safe to do as you please because you are in a position of help to others. God will knock you down so quick you won’t know what hit you. God does not need us; we need Him. God loves to use us, but we must be usable.
5. King Benhadad of Syria became drunk with the kings who helped him and was defeated by Israel (I Kings 20:20-21). Even though the Lord spared the King’s life, he lost all of his power because of a short moment of alcoholic weakness. Pride always leads to one’s destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling. Satan is always looking to tempt us when we are going strong. Paul tells us to keep pressing forward, looking ahead. I believe that the scripture is best in its own context, but to apply it here, if we take our eyes off of the goal, Satan will give you something to look at that looks very attractive. Don’t let one moment of weakness take you astray from the track you are running.
6. Belshazzar drank wine before thousands and worshipped idols. The Lord allowed the famous King to be slain while he was drunk with wine. Often God allows great men to fall when they least expect it (Dan. 5:30). Frivolity is hard to control once it begins. Alcohol is addicting and will wrap you around its finger once it gets a hold of you. Allow God to break that stronghold and give you satisfaction through Jesus Christ.
7. Felix was the governor of Judea and was guilty of imbibing in strong drink. He relied more on his human pleasures more than the Lord and went to hell (Acts 24:25). Felix lacked a willingness to listen to Paul’s great salvation message and instead sought to extract a bribe from Paul. Felix’s thinking remained distorted even though he was introduced to one of the greatest teachers of Christian truth of the first century. Alcohol has a way of dulling our minds to the truth. When we are under the influence of alcohol we cannot think straight. Many will tell you that they can, but that is the alcohol talking. I once heard a pastor say, “We should always be DUI… the influence of Jesus.” Are you driving your life according to the teachings of Jesus and the will of God? Ask God to allow your bad habits of drinking alcohol to be stripped away in the name of Jesus Christ.
8. Drinkers are often resistant to receiving Christ as their Savior and Lord (John 8:34). Drinking often becomes an obsession controlling the individual and their desires. Those who are servants of an obsession become slaves to sin. Our obsessions become what drive our life. We judge everything according to whether it will affect us in obtaining more of our obsession and if it will keep us from it.
9. Only the Lord Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit can give the grace to be freed from the power of strong drink or any bad habit. Paul wrote, "Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, but rather offer yourselves to God, as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master (Rom 6:13,14).
10. Only as we confess our sins of lustful desires and surrender our mind, will, and emotions to the Lord will we enjoy real satisfaction, fulfillment, and peace. (1 John 1:9)
Conclusion: Although the Bible specifically does not condemn the drinking of alcohol, it definitely gives us vivid examples of what it is capable of. Someone can argue this subject for years, but I just see it as a defense to not wanting to give it up. Alcohol has control over their lives. I once was on the other side of the argument. I used to have a glass of wine every once in a while. I’m a big guy, so a glass or two definitely did not get me drunk, but it does alter your state of mind. It hinders what the Spirit can do in and through you.
