Ephesians 5:18

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit." Ephesians 5:18

Paul is still in the context of the regenerative change the Lord is doing within each Christian. Where we have seen a pattern of this "trading up"... the, "out with the old nature and in with Christ's likeness", here in verse 18 we find one of the greatest trades-ups to anticipate (a sign that we are being changed). So often the emphasis on this verse seems to be on the wine, yet "trading the source of drunkenness" seems to be the greater truth. Wine was the thing in Paul's day, which was common to see used in debauchery, yes... but today, many things reduce us to the kind of debauchery referred to here, including wine. In light of the evil day, mentioned earlier, how tragic it is to see another friend, relative, loved one, or anyone, surrender courteousness, common sense, and caution, in such an evil world, through any form of debauchery. Our ignorance, whether due to youth, or hardheadedness, etc, (sin), about the amazing, yet delicate workings of the brain, only allows the enemy - the devil to do so much harm, because of such foolishness.

This Debauchery, or Dissipation (810) (riot, KJV) (asotia related to ásotos which in turn is derived from a = negative + sozo = save which describes something devoid of saving quality) literally means "that which cannot be saved". Strictly speaking... It is the picture of having no hope of safety, then describing the act of one who has abandoned himself to such reckless behavior. Asotia conveys the idea of waste that is irretrievable. There are only 3 uses in the NT - here in Eph 5:18; Titus 1:6; 1 Peter 4:4. Luke uses the related word ásotos in his description of the prodigal son writing...

"And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose (ásotos) living." Luke 15:13

Paul is saying here in our study verse that, the Christian... following the leading of The Holy Spirit will instead, surrender our control of the mind to Him, rather to anything else... wine, whiskey, beer, the list has grown since Paul's day. We must see the dramatic shift between the to sources of where this thought of drunkenness take us. One, in spirits (alcohol, etc) and the other, The Holy Spirit. One, allowing whatever evil or sinful that is going on outside the drunken mind to enter in and not be filed away with any form of moral or even rational reasoning (not to mention the loss or lack of control over whatever evil is already within the mind allow then to run free),... the other, given over to the things of God, the spirit of God... being free to have His way in our mind and heart... These two extremes are what is so relative in this passage.

Pray, and seek the Holy Spirit's leading on this passage, dear friends... "but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit"... that is my prayer. Amen?

Let's pick up with Ephesians verse 5:19 next time.

I love you.