In Ephesians 5:18 Paul writes, under the guidance of the Spirit, these words …
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
The context is Paul teaching his readers, and us, how we should live the Christian life. Here are some of the verses before verse 18 …
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”
His argument is that we were once children of darkness but now we are children of light and we should live that way. We are to be careful how we live and make the most of every opportunity and the time we have to live for the Lord.
Once he lays this all out verse 18 is the “HOW” this changed life is going to happen. The issue is one of CONTROL. Who is in control of your body? We were dead in sin but now we are alive in Christ. The possibility to live a Christ-like life now exists … but we all know that does not automatically happen.
The issue is who is in control???
There are three options. We can try and be in control. Some are better at that than others. Some are disciplined and seem to go through life without issues of brokenness or addictions. Others are controlled by their brokenness and addictions. They use wine to help them make it through. Truth be known most people are users. Whether it is sex, drugs, alcohol, food, gambling or other kinds of compulsive behavior we USE it to escape.
The answer for EVERY Christian to be able to live a godly Christ-like life is this …
BE CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT
This verse, Ephesians 5:18 is not a suggestion. It is a command. We are commanded to be filled and to remain filled with the Spirit. The verb is a present active indicative that could be translated …”Be filled and keep on being filled with the Spirit.”
Tomorrow we will look at what that looks like and how to do it. However, for today, ask Him to fill you. Offer your body to God as a living sacrifice and ask the Spirit to fill you and to enable / empower you to walk in the Spirit.
It is not just for recovery … but for every Christian.