Page 148 - Ephesians

“Do not get drunk with wine, but rather be filled with the
Spirit.”

Usually this verse is taken out of context, to teach the evils of
strong drink. Fermented wine is compared to, and contrasted
with, the fullness of the Spirit. It is in the context of joy, music,
singing, rejoicing and giving thanks. It contrasts the emotional joy
that comes from drinking, with the supernatural joy that comes
from being filled with the Spirit.
I used to think that the point was control. Don’t let drink control
you, let the Spirit of God control you. That’s true but here he’s
really talking about being filled with joy. We are to walk in the joy
of the Lord. Wine is Satan’s counterfeit for God’s joy. It’s easy
to show the problems with “alcoholic joy”. We all know the results
of too much strong drink. I heard a song on the radio the other
day, “I want to stay drunk, till I get over you,” and of course, it
ended with a hangover.

According to this verse, not being filled with the Spirit is a greater
sin, than being drunk. The average Christian would shudder at
the thought of going out and getting smashed on liquor. Yet won’t
give a second thought about not being filled with the Spirit.
Strangely enough, this is the only place in all the epistles, where
we hear the expression, “Filled with the Spirit”. Since that is so,
it will serve as a key to what it means to be Spirit filled. The
context makes it a most wonderful passage. For years I was
confused about Ephesians 5:19. I wasn’t sure if we were
supposed to go around singing to each other. Can you see that?
“How are you today? Hallelujah! Verily, verily, I say to you, how
about this crazy weather? Lift your hands and worship Him
Amen”

Look at it carefully! Is it real songs? Is it real speaking? It begins
with “Speaking to one another”, and ends with “Speaking to the
Lord”. Notice the phrase “Making melody in your heart”. This
verse is not physical. It’s spiritual. Let me summarize the
teaching of Ephesians 5:19. When a person’s life makes melody
to the Lord, that life, speaks to men. Isn’t that so? Here’s how