Category Archives: Drunkenness

Bible, Drunkenness, Filled, Holy Spirit, Scripture

FILLED WITH THE RIGHT STUFF

EPHESIANS 5:18

“And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,” 

Context is always important. Whether we are talking about conversations or studying Scripture, context can determine everything. For instance, I can use the word “read” but pronounce it two different ways. I read the paper yesterday or I will read the paper tomorrow. The context of the sentence determines the pronunciation of the word. Okay Carl, enough with the grammar lesson. Hang on. You will see my point.

In today’s verse, we see Paul telling the Ephesians to not get drunk because it is debauchery. This verse is used often to preach against the drinking of anything alcoholic. I am not going to talk about that. You have to remember the context of Paul’s letter. He has been talking about shedding all past ungodly behaviors and walking in God’s will, which we know is always to be filled with the Spirit. So, rest easy. This is not a devotion about drinking. Rather, it is a devotion about being filled with His Spirit.

APPLICATION

In the time Paul was writing there was a false god which the pagans worshipped which involved drinking until you were intoxicated. In fact, it is the same god that the Olympic Committee claimed was being portrayed in the opening ceremonies this year. His name was Bacchus. Bensons’ Commentary says this about this worship festival. “Plato tells us, that there was hardly a sober person to be found in the whole Attican territories during the continuance of these detestable feasts.” Debauchery! Riotous living! In fact, the adverb form of this Greek word for “debauchery” is used in Luke 15:13 to describe the prodigal son’s lifestyle. “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in wild living.”

Paul tells the Ephesians to avoid all that and instead concentrate on living their lives full of the Holy Spirit.  The Greek word used here for “be filled” could be better translated (I think) as “keep being filled” because it is a Present Imperative Middle/Passive verb. The Middle voice means you do the action yourself while the Passive voice means the action is done to you.

Hang on, don’t let me lose you. We have to allow the Holy Spirit to live through us. He will not force Himself on us. Therefore, the middle voice. But only He can do the filling – thus the passive voice. I am not Greek scholar, but I believe this verb could be either. The question is this – Do you want to be filled with His Spirit continually and live that out daily? If you do, the Lord is more than willing and more than capable to fill you to overflowing.

Now I’m filled to overflowing. I don’t mind the whole world knowing that I’m filled to overflowing.

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Abiding, Accountability, Battles, Bible, Choices, Drunkenness, Envy, Eternity, Flesh, Scripture

DEEDS OF THE FLESH, PART 3

GALATIANS 5:21

“envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Over the past few days, we have been looking at Paul’s descriptive list of the “deeds of the flesh.” While not totally exhaustive, it is a long list of fifteen things. We will finish up that list in today’s verse and look at Paul’s closing remarks on them.

Paul mentions three other deeds of the flesh in verse 21 which are pretty comprehendible. We all know what “envy” is, right? It’s really being glad at someone’s misfortune. Yuk! “Drunkenness” is well…drunkenness. Enough said. “Carousing” is a little better defined as “a riotous party (drunken feast) which hosted unbridled sexual immorality.” (Helps Word-studies)

APPLICATION

In order to really understand these fifteen deeds of the flesh that he lists here, Paul wraps it up this way, “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Wow! That’s pretty heavy. If Paul were to say that in our society today, he might get stoned again. But the key to his statement is the word translated as “practice.” It’s the Greek word, prasso, and means to make this a regular liftstyle.

Let’s face it – we all slip up every once in a while. We read in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Only Jesus walked this earth is sinless perfection. Paul warns us that if practice these deeds we will not see heaven. That should be enough to keep someone on the straight and narrow, but it isn’t.

Paul knew that fear tactics would not work. He had tried to drive fear into the early believers as a Pharisee to make them recount their faith. Paul know only the love of Christ is enough to lead people to the cross. What is your driving force today for the choices you make? Your flesh? Fear? Greed? Or is it the love of Jesus?

Lord, I run from these fleshly enticements and into Your arms.

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