Threshing Floor Tabernacle

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18)

Some thought the disciples were drunk on the day of Pentecost. They could not explain how those Galileans were able to speak in their own native languages about the wonderful works of God. However, the disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost. Peter said, “…these are not drunk as you suppose…” Whatever you are full of is what you will act out.

To be drunk with wine is to be intoxicated, to be unable to think and behave normally. Wine makes you happy and gives you joy for a moment. The first miracle Jesus performed was turning water into wine at the wedding feast. As the people ran out of wine they began to lose their joy. They were at a wedding celebration, but they needed wine to enjoy it. Life is like that for many. They need some additives in order to enjoy it. Wine only has a temporary effect then it wears off. Jesus never wears off - He will never leave you nor forsake you!

For many they have to have a twelve pack to enjoy the game; wine for dinner or a nice picnic; strong alcohol to enjoy the weekend or happy hours at the club; drug substance daily to enjoy/trip off of the day. They are constantly in an altered state of mind trying to enjoy living. Jesus wants to set you free. Although Mary pushed Jesus to do that first miracle I believe He received approval from the Father in order to illustrate something special. The response to the miracle with the wine was that it was better than the first wine they had.

Jesus always has something better. He told the woman at the well, that the water He would give would become a fountain within. In order to enjoy what He has you’ll have to believe He has something better. “No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, the old is better (Lk. 5:39).”  As long as you think the old life and way of living is better you will never enjoy the new. But that’s the devil’s lie. When you are filled with the Spirit you know first-hand that the new is better. The old life is miserable, messy, and destructive – it’s bondage.

If any man be in Christ he is a new bottle ready to be filled with new wine (my interpretation). The new wine is not what you get off the shelf in a liquor store or at some winery; the new wine is the Holy Ghost! Being filled with the Spirit is life and peace. As long as you continue to walk in the Spirit you can continually be filled with the Spirit. Being drunk with wine or intoxicated by any other man-made substance is a waste of time and opportunity. The Word says wherein is excess: corruption, debauchery, depravity, immorality, iniquitousness, iniquity, libertinage, libertinism, licentiousness, vice, sin. The pleasures that they bring can and will end in ruin.

 The pleasures of the Holy Ghost lead to glory!