Life in the Spirit

DRUNKENNESS with alcohol is prohibited in the life of a Christian. The dangers of alcohol are many. In some cases the drunken persons become shameless and end up unconsciously exposing their nakedness in their stupor. The account of Noah’s drunkenness after the flood in Genesis 9:21-22 is confirms the above point.
Have you ever realised that the 350 years that Noah lived after the flood were uneventful and not worth recording? Most probably drunkenness with alcohol became his habitual sin. Lot and his two daughters committed incest during his times of intoxication.
His story ended on that low note. Is it not amazing that the only survivors of the flood and the fire because of their righteousness lost the same righteousness to alcohol? Alcohol and wisdom repel. Proverbs 20:1 says: “Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.” The harmony of scriptures is interesting here: alcohol produces mockers, and punishment is made for mockers (Proverbs 19:29).
In the New Testament, Corinthian believers abused the Lord’s Supper as they took it as an occasion to get drunk. As a result disorder and indecency characterized the partaking of the Holy Communion (I Cor.11:18-21). My father would not punish us his children before he got drunk. When you upset him, he would tell you, “Nhasi ndiri kunokunwira. Ndichazotaura newe ndadzoka.” (I will beat you up when I come back from drinking beer). In other words he used beer to remove his inhibitions. Alcohol and sobriety are worlds apart. The Christian life is likened to an alert and sober soldier always on guard.   
Some who love their beer strongly argue their case stating that the most important thing when taking alcohol is to remember to be moderate. But the Bible warns against excess or dissipation in drunkenness. In other words it is difficult to exercise moderation when taking alcohol.
Wastefulness and scattering of resources that could otherwise be used for the betterment of life is one of the major problems associated with drunkenness.
However, what is surprising in the opening scripture is the strange likening of being drunk with alcohol to being filled with the Holy Spirit. A close analysis of the scripture reveals that both alcohol and the Holy Spirit are sources of great influence.
A drunkard is influenced by alcohol to be fearless, to talk too much, to be too generous to the point of wasting, to sleep like a dead person, to act as if you own the whole world and to be free to share your life, even secrets with every person you meet and to be free from anxiety about tomorrow. The Holy Spirit can influence a believer to be or do the same. But the difference is that the influence of the Holy Spirit is good whilst that of alcohol is evil.
A believer is supposed to be so filled, led, controlled and governed by the Holy Spirit that he or she becomes completely fearless. The commandment to “fear not” can never be obeyed by “undrunk” believers. It requires that one be completely filled with the Holy Spirit to live fearlessly in the midst of life-threatening dangers.
In most cases when people are really filled with the Spirit they tend to speak too much but in the right way. They speak about the love of Jesus, the power of God’s word. They sing psalms and hymns anywhere. They speak in tongues hours on end building up their most holy faith. They become so sweet and friendly. They inject others around them with hope, love, joy, faith and enthusiasm. They share what they have generously and cheerfully.
Don’t you think that believers like Barnabas who sold all their possessions for the sake of the gospel were drunk of the Spirit? Paul and Silas must have been so drunk with the Holy Spirit that midnight when they sang and prayed in prison that God had to deliver them miraculously.
In short, what you have always desired, dreamed about and yearned for in your spiritual life is what I am sharing with you right now. If you want to sleep like a dead person experiencing no nightmares then be filled with the Spirit.
If you desire to be free of worry about finances, about the evil of tomorrow be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. If you want to live like the true child of God and heir of God’s world then be filled with the Spirit.
In short, the Christian life cannot be enjoyed and the riches of grace cannot be appropriated without the continual filling of the Holy Spirit. No wonder why Jesus comforted his sorrowful disciples by promising them the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Watch Peter after Pentecost and you will understand this message. When your day of Pentecost comes you forsake the sour beer and bask in the sweet Spirit.