“Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit…” Ephesians 5:17-18 NLT
It’s interesting that there is this comparison between being drunk with wine and being filled with the Holy Spirit. When the disciples were first filled with the Holy Spirit, they were accused of being drunk. People use alcohol because of the effect it can have on their mood and mental state. It alleviates negative feelings, it removes the stress of anxiety, it reduces self-consciousness and shyness, it makes you feel less inhibited, all temporary of course, perpetuating the need for more, so it can result in a dependency. Some alcohol we have even named spirits, but they’re all just counterfeit to the Spirit, mimicking the much more beneficial effects of the Holy Spirit filling our lives. He is called The Comforter, the One who gives us strength, who enables real confidence and boldness, reducing self consciousness, growing spiritual fruit in us and giving spiritual gifts to equip us. We need to develop a dependency on Him, to keep going to Him for the power, the wisdom, and the guidance that we need! Without Him we will end up turning to the counterfeit, running to other things for the replenishment we need, and when we do that we can be sure we are headed for a spiritual burn out! But with Him we get the sustenance we need to burn even brighter! Lord, come and fill me afresh today. Amen 🔥🙏🏼