Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; I. THE PROHIBITION. I know it requires much courage, and much firmness of purpose in many cases to refuse the inducements, and to give a denial to the temptation to indulge in excess in drink. For instance, we are told it is fashionable to drink; if you don't drink freely you are not a man of the world; you are a strange, unsocial misanthrope; you are not fit for blending with society. I am not going to say that fashion has no place; I know fashion has a place; but fashion has no right to meddle with morals. Besides, I say, after all, it is not fashionable to be drunk: I say, after all, that although instances of intoxication are lamentably numerous, the instances of sobriety, thank God, are a vast deal more so. Then, again, it is said that to drink freely is almost a necessary passport to a knowledge of the world. How people abuse language! II. THE INJUNCTION. 1. In order to our being "filled with the Spirit," we must be aware of the magnitude of this blessing. (1) The Spirit is the great promise of the New Testament dispensation. (2) The gift of the Spirit more than compensates for the absence of the bodily presence of Christ. 2. This supposes, also, that we have a relish for the blessing. 3. In order to being "filled with the Spirit," you must make room for Him. 4. In order to be "filled with the Spirit," you must be the subject of the same ardent desire which is expressed in many parts of Scripture. 5. In order to be "filled with the Spirit," we must yield ourselves to His influence — we must give ourselves up to the guiding of His agency. (J. E. Beaumont, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;WEB: Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, |
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