Articles From Our Bulletins
Alcoholic Spirits vs. Spirit-Filled
I am a preacher- not a psychologist, psychiatrist, politician, or policeman. My job is not easy, but it is fairly straightforward. I attempt to educate folks on what the Bible (and therefore God) says, and encourage them as best I can to obey it. However, it is not within my purview to enforce the Bible. I couldn’t even if I wanted to do so. People must be drawn rather than driven to obedience, cf. Acts 18:4; 19:8, hence the emphasis on educating and encouraging instead of enforcing. Thus, my purpose in broaching the subject of alcoholic spirits is not to (en)force my personal feelings about the matter on anyone. Instead I’ll attempt educate you a little regarding what the Bible says on the subject in hopes that you will be encouraged to heed it. But really, my ultimate purpose in this piece is to get you to think about the comparison posed in the title.
The New Testament is the law to which Christians today are amenable. The Law of Moses (or Old Testament) was a law given by God only to Israelites who lived between the time of Moses and the death of Christ. Since then, all men are subject to the Law of Christ contained in the New Testament, Hebrews 9:15-17. However, throughout the Bible, “drunkenness” is universally condemned as sinful, cf. Genesis 9:21; Proverbs 20:1; and Ephesians 5:18 for examples. At this point, you may wisely ask, “Are there other forms of partaking alcoholic spirits that are condemned?” Since we are subject to God’s law of the New Testament, let’s take a look at what it has to say in at least one significant passage.
1Peter 4:3, “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.” Since our interest at this point is relative to alcoholic spirits, we’ll forgo the part about sensuality, lusts, and abominable idolatries, to consider drunkenness, carousals, and drinking parties. First, “drunkenness” is, again, condemned as sinful. The Greek (the original language of the New Testament) word that is translated as “drunkenness” is the term “oinophlugia,” and literally means “wine overflowing.” That should need no further explanation since we’ve already seen that God always condemns drunkenness. But the second word of that string is “carousals.” It comes from the original term “komos,” and means reveling, rioting, and carousing- a letting loose with drink, if you will. This use of alcoholic spirits is also condemned. The third term of consideration from the verse is “drinking parties.” This is translated from the Greek term “potos”- which literally refers to a “banqueting” or “drinking party/contest.” Clearly, again, this use of alcoholic spirits are forbidden by God.
To summarize thus far, drunkenness is sinful. A letting loose and/or carousing drinking is wrong. And, a drinking party or contest is likewise a violation of God’s law. While there are many other Passages that could be added from the Word of God about the consumption of alcoholic spirits, it is hoped these will give you a starting point for further personal study. But think a step further with me.
Ephesians 5:18 reads in part, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit…” Do you realize that this is at least the third time in Scripture that drunkenness (being filled with alcoholic spirits) is somehow compared with being filled with the Spirit (meaning the Holy Spirit)? Hannah, when she prayed to herself, was accused of being drunk in 1Samuel 1:12-15. The Apostles, on the Day of Pentecost, when “filled with the Holy Spirit,” were likewise accused of being drunk, Acts 2:4-13. And now, drunkenness is again compared in some way to being Spirit-filled. Why is this? What is the comparison between these two activities that would appear otherwise to be so diametrically opposed?
When someone is drunk with alcoholic spirits, they began to do things they don’t do normally or naturally- like think they can sing, or dance, or fight, or that they are irresistibly attractive to the opposite sex, or… well, you get the picture. Herein lies to the connection to being Spirit-filled: it likewise causes one to think and do things that are against our normal human nature- only in a good and godly way! Go back to the text of Ephesians 5:18 and realize that the sentence condemning drunkenness but commending being filled with the Spirit doesn’t end with that verse. In fact, the next verses identify three things that being filled with the Spirit cause us to do that we might not normally: (1) Sing- “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” v.19; (2) Be Thankful- “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” v.20; and (3) Subject Ourselves to One Another- “and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”
The servant of God who is filled with the Spirit doesn’t say, “Oh, I can’t sing praises to God- I’ll leave that to others,” he sings from the heart to his Lord. The servant of God who is filled with the Spirit isn’t ungrateful and unappreciative, but instead constantly thanks God for all the blessings He provides. And the servant of God who is filled with the Spirit isn’t selfish, arrogant, or domineering, he is willing to subject himself to others for his good, their good, and the good of the kingdom of God. These things may not be “normal” or “natural” attitudes and actions for us all-too-human beings. But for those who are becoming “partakers of the divine nature” (2Peter 1:4) by trusting and doing those things the Spirit tells us in the New Testament- thus making us led by and filled with the Spirit, it is oh so much better than being “drunk with wine” and doing stupid sinful stuff that only brings condemnation from God! Think about it, won’t you?
- Alcoholic_Spirits_vs_Spirit_Filled.pdf (100.13 kB)
