What makes a person drunk? I mean, how does it happen?… what is the physiology?
Turns out Ethanol is the culprit. Ethanol is the part of alcohol that intoxicates. C2 H5 OH is a colorless and flammable liquid. It is formed during the natural fermentation process of sugars. Consuming pure ethanol can cause coma and death. It is used as a gasoline additive and it’s in the alcohol drinkers drink.
When consumed, Ethanol goes straight to the bloodstream. It’s molecules are extremely small making it possible for them to pass into the gaps between brain cells! Once there, Ethanol can interfere with the neurotransmitters which direct the brain’s functioning.
Self-control is one of the first areas to be affected. The drinker loses inhibitions, judgement becomes impaired, reaction time slows, speech is slurred, coordination is skewed and emotions are exaggerated. In essence, one becomes drunk because one wilfully ingests a foreign substance and surrenders body, mind and emotions to its control.
The Christian wants none of this drunkenness. The Christian knows his body belongs to another. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” Paul scolds the Corinthians, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor. 6:19,20)
The Christian’s body has become an abode of the Holy Spirit… a residence of God Himself, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27). The Christian was “once darkness” but is now “light in the Lord.” (Eph. 5:8). His duty is to “be very careful,” to live “not as unwise but as wise,” to “understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Eph. 5:15,16,17)
This is the context, the backdrop against which the Christian says ‘No’ to drunkenness and chooses rather to “be filled with the Spirit.”
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18)
“Foolish or filled?” asked Pastor Steve. Which do you choose? Do you want to be under the influence of spirits, or under the influence of the Holy Spirit?
More tomorrow…
Listen to Pastor Steve’s message “Being Spirit Filled” online under “Media” at the Lincoln Baptist Church website.
thebrokenrunner 
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