Honey From The Rock

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Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

DRINK DEEPLY OF THE SPIRIT

This entry was posted on 07-15-2008 and is filed under uncategorized.

Yesterday we looked at the first part of Ephesians 5:18 where Paul warns us not do be drunk with wine. Now look at the next part: "But seek to be filled with the Spirit of God" (Eph 5:18b TCNT). Weymouth has, "drink deeply of the Spirit." Paul seems to be engaging in a little word play here. Don't be filled with the spirits (wine, liquor, alcohol) but be filled with the Spirit of God. The Message reads, "Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him." Our stimulant should be the Holy Spirit of God, not the spirits manufactured by the brewers.

I have never known a person who was filled with the Spirit who also got their stimulus from wine or strong drink. The latter would seem to cancel out the former. We have already learned that we are not to grieve the Spirit (go back to Eph 4:30). Surely the Spirit is grieved when someone who claims that he or she is full of the Spirit becomes drunk with wine. There are at least 74 Bible references on drinking and the majority of them condemn the practice. If for no other reason than your witness, you should refrain from drinking (Rom 14:21). Why cause a brother or sister to fall because you feel you can imbibe without consequence?

Prayer: Holy Father, increase our desire to drink deeply of Your Spirit. Through Christ we pray.