The other half of the story
18b but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18b–ESV)
Standing in ready availability is the Holy Spirit. If drunkenness is the result of an unholy filling the Spirit of God stands ready for a holy one. When filled with the Spirit holiness is expressed and leads to other graces, other advantages, and as Matthew Henry puts that filling is a friend to chastity and purity. Drunkenness leads to slurred speech, unsteadiness, and foolish living. The Spirit-filled life leads to strengthened speech, steadiness and wise living.
Making it personal
Many Christians can skip drunkenness if not alcohol entirely. There may be a measure of righteousness obtained by abstaining, but we must not stop there. Paul was not satisfied with sober living, he wanted godly living.
See Godliness is not just sin avoidance. Verse 17 says don’t be foolish, but it goes further by saying, “understand what the Lord’s will is.” Verse 17 is more than just a pile of don’ts. It tells of a striving toward a goal.
Verse 18 has a similar vantage point. Right in the middle of verse 18 words like but and instead are employed. Don’t just avoid drunkenness but go elsewhere: be filled. Matthew Henry says, “Labor for a plentiful measure of the spirit.”
Recall to your mind Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world.” That is the first part of the verse. Here is the next, “but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” See we need to make sure we go further on, deeper in, higher up in our life with and of Christ. That comes by striving for understanding, accommodating the mind to godliness and the acceptance of his way of looking at life.
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