NOT A OPTION

Ephesians 5:18 KJV (WS)

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Behind this exhortation might have been the drunken and debauched cloud nine of the mystery religions, which were induced by the use of intoxicating wine.

Paul insists that drunkenness is “the gateway to licentious, immorality and corruption” (excess)

The Christian must seek to keep a clear mind always. The day-by-day experiences of the Christian man must be that of being filled with.the Spirit. The verb filled is a present imperative and can be translated “be continually filled with the Spirit.” But it stands to reason that a Christian cannot go on being filled until he has first been filled at some given time, as was true on the Day of Pentecost.

7. Speaking in tongues gives us spirit-to-spirit communication with God.

Romans 8:26–27 KJV (WS)

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Because of our infirmities the Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (26).

The groanings of the Spirit are the birth pangs of our bodily redemption, just as the groanings of the whole creation are the travail of nature’s redemption (22).

As the creation is frustrated, or subject to vanity (20),

Romans 8:20 KJV (WS)

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Vanity - excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements:

So our infirmities frustrate the Holy Spirit and cause Him to groan within us.

Infirmities - physical or mental weakness: (ones own achievements).

Our infirmities (physical or mental weakness) must surely have a hold within us, that the whole array of human frailties:

1. the cultural effects of sin in our bodies and minds.

2. the scars from our past sinful living.

3. our preconceived opinion which hinder God’s purposes.

4. our obsession which bring emotional depressions and cause us at times to “act out of character,” our temperamental notion or conceit.

5. our human weariness and fretfulness, and a thousand faults our mortal flesh is heir to.

Quote from Wesley’s words, we have no “stock of holiness” in us; whatever holiness we enjoy at any moment is in us by His indwelling presence, “for without me ye can do nothing”

John 15:1 KJV (WS)

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

John 15:2 KJV (WS)

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

John 15:3 KJV (WS)

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

John 15:4 KJV (WS)

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:5–6 KJV (WS)

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV (WS)

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8. Speaking in tongues is part of our spiritual armor.

Ephesians 6:18 KJV (WS)

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;