How do you reflect the character of Christ in your life?
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 5:
18 “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”
This verse is one of Paul’s clearest contrasts between being controlled by the flesh and being controlled by the Holy Spirit. It is not merely about alcohol; it is about who or what controls your life.
The contrast
Paul presents two opposing influences:
1. “Do not get drunk with wine”
- Alcohol affects the mind, judgment, emotions, and behavior.
- Drunkenness represents yielding control to something external that weakens self-control and spiritual sensitivity.
- The Greek word translated “debauchery” (asōtia) refers to reckless living, wastefulness, and moral ruin.
Throughout Scripture, drunkenness is associated with:
- impaired judgment (Proverbs 23:29–35)
- spiritual dullness
- lack of self-control
- vulnerability to sin
Paul is not merely condemning excessive drinking; he is warning against anything that masters us instead of God.
“Be filled with the Spirit”
The Greek phrase is especially significant.
The verb:
- is present tense (continual action)
- is passive voice (allowing yourself to be acted upon)
- is imperative mood (a command)
A literal sense would be:
“Keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit.”
This is not primarily about getting more of the Holy Spirit.
Rather, The Holy Spirit gets more of you. Every believer receives the Holy Spirit at salvation (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
Being filled refers to:
- surrender
- yielding
- continual dependence
- allowing the Spirit to influence every part of life.
What does “filled” mean? The Greek word plēroō means: to fill completely; to permeate; to control; to influence fully.
Examples help explain it. A sail is “filled” by the wind, it doesn’t receive a different wind. It becomes moved and directed by the wind. Likewise, a believer filled with the Spirit is moved by God’s Spirit.
The verses immediately before are important.
Paul says:
- walk carefully
- redeem the time
- understand the Lord’s Will
Then, Be filled with the Spirit.
Being Spirit-filled is God’s answer to living wisely in an evil world.
The evidence of being filled
The following verses describe what happens.
1. Worship (v.19)
speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and Spiritual songs.
A Spirit-filled believer naturally worships.
Their heart becomes occupied with God.
2. Joy
singing and making melody in your heart.
Joy is internal before it becomes external.
3. Thanksgiving (v.20)
A Spirit-filled Christian becomes thankful.
Gratitude replaces complaining.
4. Humility (v.21)
submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.
The Spirit produces humility rather than pride.
This submission continues into Paul’s teaching on:
- marriage
- family
- work
- relationships
Being Spirit-filled affects every area of life.
What being filled is not
Paul is not describing:
- emotional excitement
- losing control
- irrational behavior
- mystical experiences alone
Ironically, drunkenness causes loss of control whereas The Holy Spirit produces greater self-control.
Paul lists self-control as one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23.
The Spirit does not overpower our personality but transforms it.
How do we stay filled?
Scripture points to several practices.
1. Surrender daily
Romans 12:1
Offer yourself continually to God.
2. Let God’s Word dwell richly
Notice the parallel between Ephesians 5:18–20 and Colossians 3:16–17.
In Ephesians: Be filled with the Spirit…
In Colossians: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…
Both passages produce nearly identical results:
- singing
- thanksgiving
- worship
- mutual encouragement
This suggests the Spirit works powerfully through God’s Word.
3. Pray continually
Prayer keeps our hearts dependent on God rather than ourselves.
4. Confess sin quickly
Sin grieves the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).
Confession restores fellowship and sensitivity.
5. Walk in obedience
God entrusts greater influence of His Spirit to those who willingly obey Him.
Why does Paul uses wine as the comparison?
Wine changes behavior. The Holy Spirit also changes behavior—but in the opposite direction.
| Drunkenness | Filled with the Spirit |
| Confusion | Wisdom |
| Loss of self-control | Self-control |
| Reckless speech | Gracious speech |
| Self-centeredness | Love for others |
| Temporary escape | Lasting peace |
| Flesh dominates | Spirit dominates |
One influence leads downward; the other leads upward into Christlikeness.
A broader spiritual application
Throughout Ephesians, Paul has been describing the believer’s new identity:
- chosen by the Father (chapter 1)
- redeemed by Christ (chapter 1)
- made alive with Christ (chapter 2)
- one new people (chapter 2)
- strengthened by the Spirit (chapter 3)
- walking worthy (chapter 4)
- walking in Love (5:2)
- walking in light (5:8)
- walking Wisely (5:15)
Now he explains how believers can live that way: Keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Christian life is not lived by human effort alone but by continual dependence on God’s Spirit. As believers yield to Him through His Word, prayer, worship, and obedience, the Spirit increasingly shapes their thoughts, attitudes, speech, relationships, and actions so that they reflect the character of Christ.