Growing in HopeSample

Filled With the Holy Spirit

The Bible deals very clearly with the use of alcohol. It does not restrict you from drinking alcohol, but it does set boundaries. Paul in Ephesians 5:18 says,  “do not get drunk with wine.” Yes, he said, “Do not get drunk”! You are commanded by God’s word through Paul to not get drunk. Drunkenness is a sin and it leads you to a place of compromise in your decision making. Drinking alcohol is dangerous. Under its influence, rational decisions are harder to make and it can be addictive.

Not only are we commanded to not get drunk, but we are also directed not to be a bad influence on others. Paul wrote in Romans 14:13 that we should not “put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way”.  As Christians, we never want to encourage others to get drunk or lead a life of drunkenness. We always want to encourage others to follow Christ wholeheartedly, and to make decisions that honor Him. A good rule of thumb to use when making the choice about drinking alcohol (or anything else) is to ask ourselves, “Is what I am about to do going to bring honor and glory to God?” As we are honest and sincere with ourselves and the Lord, we can simply let the Holy Spirit lead our actions and behaviors from there.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reads, 

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”

Because we have given our lives to Christ, we are no longer “unrighteous” like those Paul mentions in verses 9 and 10. Through Jesus, we are now righteous children of God! Children of God are called to live lives that reflect the holiness of God. And as such, we are now free and able to reject sin and unrighteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit! 

Remember, we can overcome sin by His strength and transformative power in our lives. It is not by our own human strength that we say no to sin and drunkenness. If getting drunk is something that is still a part of your life, it is time to step away from that. Ask God to forgive you and to give you the strength and desire to be free from it! 

As you continue to walk in obedience to God, your relationship with Him will grow stronger. Your very desires will begin to change. You will soon find, if you haven’t already, that Jesus is more satisfying than drunkenness. 

Many times, we use alcohol and other substances as a way to self-medicate.  We often try to cover up our pain. With Jesus as our Healer, we have no more need to self-medicate. We can take our sadness, pain, and grief to Jesus. Be honest and real with Him, and allow Him to heal whatever is wounded in you. Jesus said in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” We also know that Jesus came to “bind up the brokenhearted”. (Isaiah 61:1 NASB) Let him do that for you. Don’t waste any more time being drunk. God has greater things in store for you!

Paul’s second directive is to be “filled with the Spirit.” We are not to live under the influence of alcohol, but rather to live under the influence of the Holy Spirit. When a person gets really drunk, they give up self-control. Paul teaches us here to give up our own self-control and let the Holy Spirit lead us. Surrender your life in obedience to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not to alcohol or anything else. Living a life filled with the Spirit is more satisfying than every other thing!

Prayer:
Father, I belong to You. I want to be completely filled with Your Holy Spirit. If that means giving up alcohol or anything else, I give it to You right now! You call the shots in my life. Give me the strength to walk in obedience to You! I love You. I want to honor You, and I want to encourage those around me to follow You, too. Teach me how to not be a stumbling block of any kind to those around me. Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness, Jesus. In your name, I pray. Amen.