Not Drunk, But Spirit-Filled

Today is National Alcohol Screening Day. Primarily, this is a day to bring about awareness of the problems
related to alcohol abuse, particularly among college students. This is maybe a bit of a stretch for a "Celebrate Today" post, but bear with me.

Today reminded me, as it's possibly reminded many of you, of Ephesians 5:18. For context, though, let's start at verse 17:

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph. 5:17-20) 

Now, believe it or not, I'm not interested in talking about the dangers of alcohol. Most of us understand the dangers of excess, and I think we can agree Scripture is pretty clear about God's view of drunkenness. What's more interesting to me is the parallel Paul seems to be drawing between drunkenness and a life of the Spirit. Like alcohol, God's Holy Spirit can alter our minds, changing the way we act (Romans 12:2 reminds us, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...").

In fact, the Disciples of Christ, after being filled with the Spirit, were so changed and inspired that those who saw what they did next were convinced they'd been drinking (Acts 2:1-15)!

Unlike liquor, however, the fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

When we allow addictions like alcohol control over our lives, we can become a different person. Somebody our own families don't recognize -- and, by the way, probably don't particularly like. But when we give control over the the Spirit, we become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), reflecting the glory and the grace of Jesus Christ!