Living Under the Influence
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with
the Spirit." - Eph 5:18
Ephesians warns us against getting drunk… because drunkenness leads to debauchery. I was pretty certain that I knew what that word meant – debauchery, but to be safe, I decided to check out a dictionary to define it. Debauchery, for those of us who do not know –is as an excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures or intemperance: lack of moderation or due restraint, as in action or speech. I did not have in my head the accurate definition of this word, though I always associated it with something bad. So, I guess I was somewhat right. Lack of control is pretty bad! Anyways… a person who is intoxicated is affected temporarily with diminished physical and mental control. In other words, people who are drunk (let’s actually use the word intoxicated) – have zero control over their words and actions. They are incapable of thinking, saying, and doing things in a sensible manner. We would all agree with that, right? I’ve only been drunk once in my life – perhaps I’ll tell a little of that story…
I decided at 16 that I wanted to know what all of the fuss was about. Everyone my age thought drinking was the coolest, most awesome thing ever – I would come to school on Monday morning to the boasts of others – of how they got plastered over the weekend! I heard a lot about how wrong drinking was and how bad it was… but according to popular culture, it seemed pretty great! So, I asked my sister to show me what it was all about. We did it in the privacy of her home because (1) I wanted to safeguard myself from any predators (2) I didn’t know what to expect (3) If I ended up looking like an idiot, I didn’t want anyone else to see. So, we did it! Me, my sister, and a friend of hers, who agreed to help babysit me. I consumed more than any alcohol virgin ever should – and all I remember is waking up the next morning… dry heaving into a box. I had absolutely NO remembrance of the night before. My sister and her friend had some stories for me – but I could not recollect anything!! It was then that I decided popular culture had a warped definition of fun.
So – based upon my story, what I have experienced – its true… I had no control over my thoughts or my words. I had to have guidance from my sister and her friend and they had to take control over me because I had none of my own…
As I think about that story – and think about Ephesians 5 – it says to not get drunk on wine… but instead, be filled by the Holy Spirit. Be intoxicated by God! Think about that for a minute… using the same principles of physical intoxication…if we were intoxicated by Jesus – if we got our fill on Him – it would mean that He would have power and control over our lives. We would have an excessive indulgence in Him – diminished control over our mental and physical selves. Our thoughts and our actions would be governed by Him. He would guide us and He would have power over us… just like my sister and her friend did in my story! And I tell you… (apparently company came to visit that night) – if it were not for them, who knows what I would have done!! I mean, left to ourselves – what would we become?! Where would we be?! What would we do?! I can think of a few places I would be – and the results are not good. The path I would choose if left to myself would be very destructive. AAhh how I want to be intoxicated by Jesus, by His Spirit! I don’t want my thoughts – I want His. I don’t want my hurt – I want His joy! I don't want to be intoxicated by worldly pleasures. I don't want to live under their influence. It's not a good place to live... I want to live under His influence... under the influence of my Almighty Maker!
(i found the photo online.. no i do not know this person, but it proves my point... how many of you would do this if you had control of yourself...)
the Spirit." - Eph 5:18Ephesians warns us against getting drunk… because drunkenness leads to debauchery. I was pretty certain that I knew what that word meant – debauchery, but to be safe, I decided to check out a dictionary to define it. Debauchery, for those of us who do not know –is as an excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures or intemperance: lack of moderation or due restraint, as in action or speech. I did not have in my head the accurate definition of this word, though I always associated it with something bad. So, I guess I was somewhat right. Lack of control is pretty bad! Anyways… a person who is intoxicated is affected temporarily with diminished physical and mental control. In other words, people who are drunk (let’s actually use the word intoxicated) – have zero control over their words and actions. They are incapable of thinking, saying, and doing things in a sensible manner. We would all agree with that, right? I’ve only been drunk once in my life – perhaps I’ll tell a little of that story…
I decided at 16 that I wanted to know what all of the fuss was about. Everyone my age thought drinking was the coolest, most awesome thing ever – I would come to school on Monday morning to the boasts of others – of how they got plastered over the weekend! I heard a lot about how wrong drinking was and how bad it was… but according to popular culture, it seemed pretty great! So, I asked my sister to show me what it was all about. We did it in the privacy of her home because (1) I wanted to safeguard myself from any predators (2) I didn’t know what to expect (3) If I ended up looking like an idiot, I didn’t want anyone else to see. So, we did it! Me, my sister, and a friend of hers, who agreed to help babysit me. I consumed more than any alcohol virgin ever should – and all I remember is waking up the next morning… dry heaving into a box. I had absolutely NO remembrance of the night before. My sister and her friend had some stories for me – but I could not recollect anything!! It was then that I decided popular culture had a warped definition of fun.
So – based upon my story, what I have experienced – its true… I had no control over my thoughts or my words. I had to have guidance from my sister and her friend and they had to take control over me because I had none of my own…
As I think about that story – and think about Ephesians 5 – it says to not get drunk on wine… but instead, be filled by the Holy Spirit. Be intoxicated by God! Think about that for a minute… using the same principles of physical intoxication…if we were intoxicated by Jesus – if we got our fill on Him – it would mean that He would have power and control over our lives. We would have an excessive indulgence in Him – diminished control over our mental and physical selves. Our thoughts and our actions would be governed by Him. He would guide us and He would have power over us… just like my sister and her friend did in my story! And I tell you… (apparently company came to visit that night) – if it were not for them, who knows what I would have done!! I mean, left to ourselves – what would we become?! Where would we be?! What would we do?! I can think of a few places I would be – and the results are not good. The path I would choose if left to myself would be very destructive. AAhh how I want to be intoxicated by Jesus, by His Spirit! I don’t want my thoughts – I want His. I don’t want my hurt – I want His joy! I don't want to be intoxicated by worldly pleasures. I don't want to live under their influence. It's not a good place to live... I want to live under His influence... under the influence of my Almighty Maker!
(i found the photo online.. no i do not know this person, but it proves my point... how many of you would do this if you had control of yourself...)
Well when I first started reading your blog I thought it was going to be one of "those" blogs I just have to roll my eyes at, but this was a really good post. thanks for sharing.
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