Worldly Drunkenness

Scriptural Text: Ephesians 5:18

Worldly Drunkenness

In J. F. Powers’s short story “The Trouble,” there is an especially moving scene in which a young black fellow expresses a profound truth. In the midst of a race riot in a major American city, a black family watches the fighting in the streets from the safety of their apartment. The mother of the family has been hurt and taken back to the apartment. The family has gathered around to care for her; the doctor and the priest have come.

A terrified small boy of the family joins his grandmother at the window to observe the chaos in the street. It is bedlam and horror: whites chasing blacks and blacks chasing whites. All of a sudden the boy notices a white man running down the street. He turns the corner and heads down the alley behind the building, just ahead of a gang of black youths. The man has made a fatal mistake, for the alley is a dead end, and now there’s no escape for him.

The gang comes around the corner and the boy recoils in horror, terrified at what he is about to see. But just then, down in the alley, the back door of the apartment house opens. The boy’s grandmother, seeing the plight of the man, has left the security of her observation window and gone down to help him.

The boy’s mind swirls with these thoughts: “I was very glad for the white man until I suddenly remembered Mama all broken to pieces on the bed. And then I was sorry that Grandma did it. And then again, I was happy that she did. Then I got ahold of this funny idea. I told myself that the trouble is, somebody gets cheated, or insulted, or killed. And everybody thinks that they can make it come out even by cheating, and insulting, and killing the cheaters, and the insulters, and the killers. Only they never do.”

The boy is right: the endless cycle of cheating, insulting and killing never stops. That is, until persons begin to walk a new way—to “be imitators of God as dear children” (v. 1).

However, there are worldly hinderances to (.v1)-Drunkenness, Drugs, and Pride:

Drunkenness is a work of the flesh and it often leads to other sins of the flesh: partying, loose behavior, immodest clothing, exposure of the body, sexual thoughts, immorality, wicked or evil and unjust behavior or violence and physical abuse, notions of grandeur, strength or power.

It is said to lead to staggering, vomiting, hallucinations, injury, poverty, and sexual dissolution (e.g., Psa 107:27; Prov 23:21, 29–35; 26:20; Isa 19:14; Lam 4:21).

Intoxication from strong drink. Drunkenness was among the more prevalent social problems of the ancient world, and its effects were long lasting on families and nations of the OT.

The physical effects include staggered walk (Ps. 107:27; Isa. 24:20), loss of strength (Eccl. 10:17), decreased mental alertness (1 Kgs. 16:9; 20:16), induced sleep (Joel 1:5), blindness (Isa. 29:9), or even death

habitual intoxication can lead to abusing vocally behaviors (Ps. 69:12 ), indecent lifestyle (Rom. 13:13), quarreling and fighting, (Prov. 4:17; 20:1), or destitution (23:21).

Those who lead such lives are to be avoided, for they will not inherit the kingdom (1 Cor. 5:11; 6:10).

"Drunkenness, whether from alcohol, Drugs or pride, is a sin that comes under severe judgment from God"

We are to Walk Carefully and Strictly

Ephesians 5:15 (ESV) Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

By looking around and watching every step (v.15). Must be exact, strict, disciplined, and controlled.

By redeeming the time (v.16).

Ephesians 5:16 (ESV) 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Point: we can use time wisely, keeping our thoughts and hands busy... in our profession and work, contributing to the good of society. (2 Cor. 10:5, Phil 4:8, Eccl 12:1)

2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Philippians 4:8 (ESV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 (ESV) Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

Thus, we can conqueror evil, and the problems in life

By understanding the Lord's will (v.17).

Knowing the Word of God [John 8:31-32, Jn 17:17, 2 Tim 2:15, 3:16, 119:11]

Leadership of the Holy Spirit[ Jn 14:26, Jn 16:7-8, Jn 16:13-14, Ps 143:10]

The word understand, means to grasp, perceive, see with the mind and comprehend.

2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

John 14:26 (ESV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Psalm 143:10 (ESV) Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

That being said, you will reject Drunkenness,

Drunkenness is the road to ruin (asôtia)...The opposite of a drunken, dissolute life is to be filled with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 (NLT) Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

Experiencing the spiritual in life is a central need for humankind.

By being filled with the Spirit (v.18).

Three characteristics of Spirit-filled people sharing and worshiping together are given in the final verses of this passage (19, 20, 21):

A Spirit-filled person has a singing spirit(Eph 5:19, 1 Cor 14:15, Ps 95:1)

Ephesians 5:19 (ESV) 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

1 Corinthians 14:15 (ESV) 15What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

Psalm 95:1 (ESV) 1Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

A Spirit-filled person has a thankful spirit ( Philippians 4:6; Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Chronicles 16:8)

Philippians 4:6 (ESV) 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Colossians 3:17 (ESV) 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Chronicles 16:8 (ESV) 8Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

A Spirit-filled person has a submissive and respectful spirit.(Matthew 18:4; Romans 12:3; Philippians 2:3–4; Hebrews 13:17)

A Spirit-filled person does not have a spirit of criticism, dissension, envy, divisiveness, or selfishness. He has a spirit of submissiveness.

Matthew 18:4 (ESV) 4Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 12:3 (ESV) 3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Philippians 2:3–4 (ESV) 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) 17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.—Matthew 5:6