It has come to my attention how many people decide to stop drinking for the month of January (also known as ‘dry January’). At this time of the year, after perhaps drinking too much over the holidays, people think about how excessive drinking impacts the quality of their lives. If this is the case , why do so many people turn to alcohol in the first place?
Drinking offers a temporary oblivion, an escape from reality. It also gives a sense of euphoria that feels really good at first, but it also often makes people say and do things they later regret because it releases pent up anger or sadness. Ultimately, one has to wake up from the drunken state to another day where nothing has changed.
Debauchery is defined as an “excessive indulgence often leading to immorality.” Drunkenness often brings out the worst in people so they do things they shouldn’t without any sense of right or wrong. Sometimes they don’t even remember what they’ve done.
It is fascinating that Paul uses alcohol and being drunk as a contrast to the Spirit-filled life. In the same way that alcohol and drunkenness take over thought, words and actions, being filled with the Spirit of God also fully impacts the believer’s life, making a difference that is supernatural. As this verse describes it, being Spirit-filled leads to speaking scripture and singing worship songs with music in the heart!
We have a choice in what controls us on a daily basis: anger, pleasure, sensuality, critical spirit, negativity, bitterness, unforgiveness, just to name a few. These thoughts and feelings can control us the same way alcohol does. Alcohol in our blood changes the way we walk, talk and view the world. In the same way, Paul says that we should be controlled by the Spirit who also controls how we view the world and interact with people. This is a “good” (God’s) way to be intoxicated!
For Today: Do you want to be intoxicated with the Spirit? Do you want to allow God’s Holy Spirit to take over your words, thoughts and actions today? Being filled with the Spirit is a daily choice, much like breathing: confessing sin (exhaling) and asking to be filled, directed and empowered by the Spirit (inhaling). You can pray today and each day to be filled with the Spirit, using the words in this prayer:
Dear Father, I need you. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you by directing my own life. I thank you that you have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take his place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as you commanded me to be filled, and as you promised in your word that you would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I now thank you for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.