Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,  speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:15-20 (NIV)

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to live their lives with the understanding that they have new identities in Jesus Christ; this thought is also relevant for us today.

Once a person understands what Jesus has done for them it changes everything, including how they live and how they make decisions. Instead of deciding ourselves between what is right and wrong in aspects of thought and behaviour, we look to, and follow Jesus. In this way we can live as ‘wise people’, ‘making the most of the time’ we have here on earth.

It is interesting to note that Paul encourages us to ‘understand what the will of the Lord is’ (v.17), and to live lives in which we are continually thanking him ‘at all times and for everything’ (v.20). Not at all easy to do. In fact, it is impossible for us unless Jesus lives in us, and we are ‘filled with the Spirit’ (v.18).

But then Paul gives us a stark warning: ‘Do not get drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery’ (v.18). The Greek word for debauchery is aselgeia, which means unrestrained or unbridled lust. Why does Paul single this out when there are so many other ways in which we can be ‘foolish’?

There are many reasons, but one possible reason could be that when a person is drunk, they are under the influence of alcohol and their behaviour changes. They do and say things that they probably wouldn’t have done or said otherwise. Their behaviour can become unrestrained, and anything goes. Alcohol changes our perception of things, and not always for the better.

Paul contrasts this with being filled with the Holy Spirit where we are under the influence of God. When Jesus enters our lives our perception of things completely changes, and we are not the same people we once were. Hopefully we now do and say things that reflect the love of Jesus and lead to positive consequences for ourselves, and for others.

Drunkenness is counterfeit: it promises us things but never delivers, and leads instead to negative consequences. Being under the influence of the Holy Spirit gives us true peace and happiness, so much so that we are able to sing songs of thankfulness to God at all times, and ‘for everything’.  And there is no hangover in the morning.

Prayer: Our loving Father, help us to live as wise people following the lead of  the Holy Spirit and offering you thanksgiving continually for all that you have and continue to do. In Jesus’s name, Amen.