Choosing Spirit Over Spirits: A Call to Discernment

Mar 23, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Be Filled with the Holy Spirit, Not Drunk with Wine

The central issue is not simply whether one can drink alcohol, but what or who is filling and controlling your life. The Bible uses alcohol as a metaphor to illustrate how being under the influence of anything other than the Holy Spirit leads to loss of control and poor judgment, while being filled with the Spirit leads to a life aligned with God’s purposes. The call is to seek the Spirit’s filling daily, allowing Him to guide your actions, thoughts, and desires, rather than being mastered by substances or habits that distract from God’s best for you. [05:52]

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to seek comfort or escape apart from the Holy Spirit? How can you invite Him to fill that space today?

Day 2: Wine Can Gladden the Heart, But Moderation is Key

Scripture acknowledges that wine can be a gift that brings gladness and celebration, but it also warns against excess and drunkenness. Enjoying God’s good gifts with gratitude and self-control honors Him, but crossing the line into excess leads to harm. The challenge is to recognize the fine line between enjoying a blessing and allowing it to become a stumbling block, always remembering that God’s design is for joy, not bondage. [08:28]

Psalm 104:14-15 (ESV)
"You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
and bread to strengthen man's heart."

Reflection: Is there a good gift in your life that you are tempted to overindulge in? How can you practice gratitude and moderation with it today?

Day 3: Make Prayerful and Personal Decisions About Alcohol

The decision to drink alcohol is a matter of personal conscience and should be approached prayerfully, considering your own background, family history, and influence on others. Scripture teaches that everything created by God is good when received with thanksgiving, but also cautions believers to avoid becoming a stumbling block to others. Before making choices about alcohol, take time to seek God’s wisdom and consider how your actions may impact those around you. [12:16]

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (ESV)
"For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer."

Reflection: Have you ever truly prayed about your choices regarding alcohol or other gray areas? What would it look like to invite God into that decision today?

Day 4: Alcohol Can Become a Stumbling Block—Consider Your Influence

While there is freedom in Christ, believers are called to be mindful of how their actions affect others, especially those who may be weaker in faith or more susceptible to addiction. Exercising your rights without regard for others can lead to harm, so it’s important to weigh your influence and choose love over liberty when necessary. The call is to live in such a way that your example helps others grow closer to Christ, not stumble. [14:25]

1 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV)
"But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak."

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who might be influenced by your choices around alcohol or other freedoms? How can you put their well-being above your own preferences this week?

Day 5: Alcohol’s Mockery, Mayhem, and Mastery—Choose Freedom in Christ

Alcohol promises pleasure but often delivers pain, mocking those who trust in it and leading to brokenness, addiction, and loss of control. The Bible warns that wine is a mocker and that lingering over it brings sorrow and strife. True freedom is found not in being dominated by any substance, but in living under the mastery of Christ, who offers self-control and abundant life. The invitation is to lay down anything that seeks to master you and to be filled instead with the Spirit’s power and peace. [19:50]

Proverbs 20:1 (ESV)
"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
and whoever is led astray by it is not wise."

Reflection: Is there a habit or substance that has begun to master you? What step can you take today to surrender it to Christ and walk in true freedom?

Sermon Summary

Alcohol is a subject that touches nearly every life, whether through personal experience, family history, or cultural context. The Bible does not categorically forbid the consumption of alcohol, but it does speak with absolute clarity about the dangers of drunkenness and excessive drinking. Ephesians 5:18 calls us not to be drunk with wine, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The real question is not simply, “Can I drink this?” but rather, “What or who am I allowing to fill and control my life?” The metaphor of being filled—either with alcohol or with the Spirit—challenges us to examine what truly governs our actions, thoughts, and desires.

Scripture gives us freedom regarding alcohol, but it also provides strong warnings. Wine can gladden the heart, and Jesus himself turned water into wine at a wedding, but the Bible mentions alcohol over 200 times, with far more warnings than endorsements. The decision to drink should be approached prayerfully, personally, and periodically. Have you truly prayed about your choice? Are you considering the impact on others, especially those who may be vulnerable to addiction? One out of ten who drink become problem drinkers—a sobering statistic that should give us pause.

Alcohol is a mocker, promising community and relaxation but often delivering brokenness, addiction, and regret. The marketing of alcohol never shows the shattered families, the violence, or the lives lost. Proverbs warns us that wine bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. If we make a pet of alcohol, it will eventually turn on us. The mastery of alcohol is real; it can dominate lives, distract from God’s purpose, and lead us to operate in the flesh rather than in the Spirit.

The call is to unclench our fists, to surrender our grip on this issue, and to ask God to fill us with His Spirit. As a practical challenge, consider a “dry April”—a month without alcohol—to see what surfaces in your heart and life. If the idea of abstaining brings resistance, it may reveal a deeper issue. Let’s empty ourselves of what distracts and fills us with the presence and power of God.

Key Takeaways

1. Freedom with Responsibility: Scripture grants the freedom to consume alcohol, but this liberty is always paired with a call to wisdom and self-control. The real issue is not the act itself, but what fills and controls us—are we governed by fleeting pleasures or by the enduring presence of the Holy Spirit? Our choices should reflect a desire to be filled with God, not with substitutes that dull or distract. [05:52]
2. Prayerful and Personal Discernment: The decision to drink should be made in prayer, seeking God’s guidance and considering the unique circumstances of your life and those around you. It is not a one-size-fits-all answer; what is permissible for one may be a stumbling block for another. True maturity is found in bringing even our freedoms before God and asking for His wisdom. [12:16]
3. The Power of Influence and Stumbling Blocks: Our actions have ripple effects, especially in a culture where addiction is prevalent. Even if you have freedom, consider the impact on those who may be weaker or more vulnerable. Love sometimes means limiting our liberty for the sake of another’s well-being, recognizing that one out of ten who drink become problem drinkers. [14:25]
4. The Deceptive Nature of Alcohol: Alcohol promises connection and relief but often delivers pain, brokenness, and regret. The world markets only the pleasure, never the consequences—fragmented families, violence, and addiction. Wisdom is found in seeing through the mockery and mayhem, refusing to be mastered by anything but Christ. [20:46]
5. Surrender and Spirit-Filling: The ultimate call is to unclench our fists, surrendering our grip on alcohol (or any substitute) and inviting the Holy Spirit to fill us. True transformation comes not from external rules but from internal surrender—emptying ourselves of what distracts and asking God to fill us with His presence, power, and purpose. [28:27]
** [28:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Diverse Backgrounds and Struggles with Alcohol
[03:18] - The Battle Over the Bottle: What Does the Bible Say?
[04:17] - Ephesians 5:18 and the Call to Be Filled
[05:52] - The Bible’s Freedom and Warnings on Drinking
[06:45] - Defining Drunkenness and Its Dangers
[08:28] - Moderation, Miracles, and Biblical Examples
[10:03] - Avoiding Judgment and Legalism
[11:25] - Making a Prayerful, Personal, and Periodic Decision
[14:25] - The Stumbling Block Principle and Sobering Statistics
[15:51] - Considering Family, Influence, and Frequency
[18:25] - The Pivot: Reasons to Abstain
[19:50] - The Mockery and Marketing of Alcohol
[20:46] - The Hidden Costs: Crime, Addiction, and Brokenness
[22:28] - Proverbs’ Warnings: The Snake’s Bite
[24:18] - The Mastery of Alcohol and Addiction
[25:23] - Living by the Spirit, Not the Flesh
[27:17] - A Prayer of Surrender
[29:36] - The Dry April Challenge
[30:26] - Closing and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Battle Over the Bottle"

Bible Reading

- Ephesians 5:18
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit."

- Proverbs 20:1
"Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise."

- 1 Corinthians 8:9
"Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak."

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 5:18, what are the two things Paul contrasts as filling or controlling a person?
In Proverbs 20:1, what does the writer say about wine and beer, and what warning does he give?
The sermon mentioned that the Bible talks about alcohol over 200 times, with more warnings than endorsements. What are some of the warnings or dangers mentioned? [[05:52]]
What does 1 Corinthians 8:9 say about our freedom and its impact on others?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul uses the metaphor of being "filled" with either wine or the Holy Spirit? What does it mean to be filled or controlled by something? [[04:17]]
The sermon says, "The real question is not simply, 'Can I drink this?' but rather, 'What or who am I allowing to fill and control my life?'" How does this shift the focus from rules to relationship with God? [[04:17]]
How does the idea of being a "stumbling block" for others influence the way Christians should think about their freedom to drink alcohol? [[13:18]]
The sermon describes alcohol as a "mocker" that promises community and relaxation but often delivers brokenness and regret. Why do you think alcohol is so deceptive, and how does this relate to the warnings in Proverbs? [[19:50]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to make the decision to drink (or not) prayerfully, personally, and periodically. Have you ever actually prayed about your choice regarding alcohol? If not, what would it look like to bring this decision before God? [[11:25]]
One out of ten people who drink become problem drinkers. Does this statistic affect the way you think about your own choices or the choices of those around you? Why or why not? [[14:25]]
The idea of a "dry April" was suggested as a practical challenge. How would you feel about giving up alcohol for a month? If the idea makes you uncomfortable or defensive, what might that reveal about your relationship with it? [[29:36]]
The sermon talks about the impact of our choices on others, especially those who may be vulnerable to addiction. Can you think of someone in your life who might be affected by your example? How could you show love by considering their well-being? [[13:18]]
Alcohol is described as something that can "master" us or distract us from God's purpose. Are there signs in your life that something (alcohol or anything else) is mastering you or distracting you from God? What steps could you take to surrender that area to God? [[24:18]]
The call is to "unclench our fists" and ask God to fill us with His Spirit. What is one practical way you can empty yourself of distractions this week and invite the Holy Spirit to fill you? [[28:27]]
The world often markets alcohol as a way to find community and relief. Where else can you find true connection and peace that lasts? How can your small group support each other in seeking the presence and power of God instead of substitutes? [[19:50]]

Sermon Clips

“Think about the battle over the bottle, the dilemma of drinking that's been in play for eons. What do you do? I mean, what do you say? Can Christians consume alcohol? The answer is yes. Did you know that? As you look at the Bible, the answer is yes. We do need to understand, against the backdrop of consuming alcohol, Ephesians 5, verse 18, which is the central text of this series. The Apostle Paul wrote this, And do not get drunk with wine, for that's debauchery, but be filled with... spirit.”

“As I unpack the whole issue of drinking, that's obviously a major issue. But the big issue is what and who are you filling your life with? That's the deal. So Paul uses alcohol as a metaphor. Again, can I drink this? Paul says, just as someone has too much to drink, which leads to drunkenness and debauchery, just as someone does that. Think about, Paul says, your life before the Lord. Think about how we all have the opportunity to be controlled, to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God.”

“We're controlled by alcohol when we're drunk. Yet Paul says, no, no, no, that's not the deal. We need to be controlled by the Holy Spirit of God. Because after all, we all we're made and are made to be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

“But again, I say, and this is going to shock some of you, the Bible does give us liberty, freedom regarding concern. assuming beverage alcohol, but it's very direct about drinking excessively and being drunk. The Bible says categorically, unequivocally, that drunkenness and excessive drinking is a sin before God.”

“A loss of good judgment ...This is from the Bible. Impaired thinking, diminished moral restraint, actions that harm personal or gospel reputation, compromised physical condition. That's what it means to be drunk, to be wasted, wasted, to be smashed, or whatever you want to call it.”

“So, if I drink in moderation, if you choose to drink in moderation, one of the, you could say, benefits would be it gladdens the heart. However, not excessively and not to a point of drunkenness.”

“But it talks more about the warnings of alcohol than the wonderful aspects of it that gladdens our heart. But it does say, again, we're free to drink. So those here who don't drink, don't look down your noses at someone at a restaurant. Oh, that person, they're a member of Fellowship Church and they're drinking. They're going to hell. You, no, no.”

“If you choose to drink though, if you choose to do so, and again, I know some do, some don't, but if you choose to do so, let me kind of talk about the pros of making this decision, the right decision to drink, if that is where you are. Number one, it should be a prayerful decision, if you choose to drink. Have you ever prayed about it? Have you ever taken it to God?”

“For everything created by God is good, even wine. Sorry, Baptist. And nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. I've gotta ask you straight up, just between me and you, have you prayed about it?”

“Notice also, not only is it a prayerful decision, it's a personal decision. It's personal, isn't it? First Corinthians 8, 9, be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a, stumbling block.”

“If you're out somewhere and you're drinking and a weaker brother or sister sees you drinking, they could say, well, man, you drink, so I guess I will too. And the stats are sobering, pun intended. One out of 10 become problem drinkers. Let me say that again. One out of 10 people who drink become problem drinkers. They become alcoholics.”

“So, we see it's a prayerful decision, a personal decision. And there's .There's another decision, and I'm talking about, again, the freedom we have to drink. It's a periodic decision. It's periodic. The Bible talks a lot about staying away from much wine, which would be excessive drinking or drunkenness.”

“If you drink every day, I would definitely tell you from my experience and hours and hours of research and counseling, I would definitely say to put a little warning sticker on that to go, okay, I'm going to take that to God. God, I am going to give... Thank you. that to him, because again, alcohol offers, yes, feeling good, I talked to a friend of mine, I said, why don't you drink? He said, well, it makes me feel good, okay. And I talked to another friend, I go, well, why don't you drink? He said, because of the buzz. I understand that. We understand that. It's kind of an escape. But the tough part is you come back to your issues. And it can be, as we all know, a very, very addictive issue.”

“So I'll say it once again, please understand me, we have the freedom to drink. Yet we have to drink prayerfully, personally, and periodically. Does that make sense? So if I see you out drinking, I'm not going to judge you. No, I'm not. I'm not.”

“Let's talk about the mockery of alcohol. Did you know alcohol mocks us? You ever thought about that? The Bible says in Proverbs 20, verse one, wine is a mocker and beer a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise. The mockery of alcohol.”

“They only show you just one little aspect of drinking. Community, connection, watching the game together. They don't show you, though, the other stats. They don't show you what you're doing. They don't show you what you're doing. that half of American adults have a family history of drinking problems or alcohol addiction. They don't show you, I'll say it again, that one out of 10 become alcoholics. They don't show you that less than 10 % of individuals with alcohol use disorder receive treatment.”

“Alcohol lies to you and me, takes us by the hand, it's okay. Everything's cool, have one, have another. Cheers. Can I drink this?”

“If you make a pet, out of alcohol, out of substance, it's just a matter of time before it bites. The mockery of alcohol, the mayhem of alcohol, and how about the mastery of alcohol? Drunkenness distracts us from God's purpose.”

“The Bible says, let us walk properly, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness. Also, there's that potential...for addiction that I just talked about. You can see in 1 Corinthians 6, verse 12, all things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated. I mean, is that addiction or what? I will not be dominated by anything.”

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self -control. Against such things there is no law. I've gotta ask you once again, can I drink this?”

“So, as we empty out, as we dump out alcohol, let's replenish that with the Holy Spirit of God each and every day, all right?”

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