Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit."
Text: Ephesians 5:18
IS DRINKING WINE WRONG?
This question keeps coming up again and again. Let us ponder what the Scriptures teach on this subject:-
1. Drinking wine is not wrong in itself
This must be understood carefully and clearly. Two arguments may be considered:-
a) Water into Wine
Jesus transformed water into the very best wine at Cana of Galilee (Cf. John 2). If it was inherently wrong, then Jesus would not have performed this miracle.
b) A beverage that went with a meal
It was common cultural practice to drink wine as part of a meal. Jesus remarked that His enemies sought to find fault over this matter of drinking wine.
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say,
‘He has a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,
‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors
and sinners.’ But wisdom is justified by her children.
MATTHEW 11:18-19
2. Drunkenness is the problem
Paul’s words are very clear. His concern was not drinking wine, but drunkenness. The picture of drunkenness is well illustrated in the following text taken from Isaiah.
Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,
Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!
ISAIAH 5:22-23
Admittedly, there is a link between drinking wine and drunkenness. But wisdom will be justified by her children. The wise will not allow himself to become a drunkard, wherein is “dissipation” (“asotia”).
“BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT”
The challenge is obvious. Instead of being filled with wine, the believer is urged to seek to be filled with the Spirit of God instead. The filling of the Spirit will lead to a life that will be truly fruitful.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
Against such there is no law.
GALATIANS 5:22-23