Pastor Tom Johnson, August 15, 2021
Perhaps we can all breathe a sigh of relief that our Scripture from Ephesians does not say, “Do not drink wine.” It says, “Do not get drunk with wine.” We can conclude, at the very least, that we can make the case for moderate wine consumption. But then we would miss the larger point which is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul says that to be drunk with wine is a form of debauchery. This means that debauchery is not just drunkenness through wine consumption. It can be any alcoholic substance. It can be any substance we put into our bodies to self-medicate, numb our pain, or use to cope with life’s challenges. Debauchery is excessive indulgence of any sensual pleasure. It is wasted, unproductive living. It is purposeless, recklessness, and abandon. During the last 18 months, substance abuse has spiked presumably to cope with the stress of a pandemic. The average American has gained 29 lbs over the last 18 months.
Where do we turn when the pressure and stress of life is just too much? Paul warns us not to turn to any form of debauchery. The preacher in Ecclesiastes has a similar message: “vanity of vanities,” he says. Otherwise, we live in despair and hopelessness like the ancient saying, “Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die.” Being under the influence of alcohol or any drug is dangerous because we are no longer in control. Our senses are deadened. Our judgment is impaired. We do things that, under normal circumstances, we would never do. But we should not self-righteously focus just on drugs and alcohol. Studies show that people in positions of power have elevated levels of dopamine. When we abuse our power, we can become addicted to this chemical surge to the brain. Studies show this same momentary surge of dopamine and euphoria can also follow aggressive driving or angry emails or social media posts. Sexual addiction is when we get high on our own body chemistry. Studies suggest that we can have as much of a high as we would on drugs—even if it is a virtual experience like pornography. As we talked about last week, when someone is overcome by anger and enraged, there is a surge of euphoria. Some studies suggest that it may be a factor in why people stay in abusive relationships or cannot escape the cycle of gang violence.
The unsettling truth about drunkenness or any addiction is the power of sin—that we become both victim and perpetrator of sin. You’ll remember the first time sin is spoken about is when God warns Cain to not be overcome by bitterness and anger. God sees the cycle of violence beginning early. He tells Cain, “Why are you angry?” “Sin is crouching behind the door and its desire is for you” (Gen 4:6,7). Sadly, anger overcomes Cain, he gets drunk with rage, and he kills his brother. And so it is for us. Sin threatens to inebriate our good senses. A momentary surge of happiness is crouching behind the door. A fleeting sense of euphoria is lurking around the corner. A temporary escape from the troubles of this world is just a click away. But, be warned, God says, it won’t last. Its desire is for you. Before you know it, we have lost control or are addicted. We have become slaves of a substance or behavior that has taken control. We are no longer ourselves. We think, say, and do things we later regret. I have a friend who tried crystal meth at a party about ten years ago. He never felt more euphoria in all his life. He spent months chasing that first high again. He lost a very good job, strained many relationships, and spent months in rehab. Thank God he got the help when he needed it, is in a new career, and doing well.
“Do not get drunk with wine,” our Scripture says, “but be filled with the Spirit.” This is the answer to the prayer we pray as Jesus taught us, “Deliver us from evil.” He delivers us from the power of sin by the Holy Spirit. Christ lived, died, and rose again to deliver us from the guilt and condemnation of sin. But he also wants us to be free of its addictive power—and not only free from foreign substances, but also filled with holy and godly power. “Don’t get drunk on wine…but be filled with the Spirit…singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul says we fill ourselves with the Spirit when we sing and pray. This begins with public worship and carries over to our private devotional lives as we let these melodies and words reverberate in our hearts and minds.
Music, along with God’s Word, rehabilitates the soul. Our musicians and choir are the great dealers of God’s gifts and spiritual power. I hope you get a chance to read the beautiful tribute to James Rogner who was a purveyor of these powerful gifts. As the Reformer Martin Luther said, “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given that we should proclaim the Word of God through Music.” Public worship is crucial to our recovery from sin. Our gathering together is intoxicating. We drown our sorrows and sin in Holy Baptism. We imbibe God’s Word as it enters our ears, our hearts, and fills us with peace, wisdom, and strength. We gather around truly mind- and life-altering gifts—the Body and Blood of Jesus with the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. God is eager and delighted to fill us with his Holy Spirit to empower us to live healthy and loving lives.
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