I'm Drunk...But In The Holy Ghost
If you haven’t picked up Go Brave with a Proverb a Day, I strongly recommend you do so as this is the basis for my discovery to follow. The rabbit holes of revelation I find myself in by way of my book leaves me in awe every time.
Now to the topic at hand.
It all started in Proverbs 26:11, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness” (NLT). So, following the Deseama process (outlined in my book), I decided to study the word “vomit.” Google dictionary defines vomit as a verb, to “eject matter from the stomach through the mouth.”
But I also understood it as uncontrollably releasing the core of who we are. Typically when we describe what’s innate and natural in us we’re referring to our sinful nature. For example, when we experience anger our natural reaction or impulse is violence or yelling. We, therefore, have to train ourselves, through Holy Spirit, to respond with restraint and composure.
In searching for the word, “vomit” in scripture, I came across Isaiah 28:8, “For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean” (KJV). Of course I had to read the full chapter to understand the context of the scripture. But for the sack of this discovery, I emphasize verses 1-8.
Described in the text is the Prophet Isaish’s message to Ephraim and Judah concerning their drunkenness. Throughout scripture we see warnings and correction with reference to drunkenness, Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:29-35, 1 Corinthians 5:11, 6:10, 11:21; Galatians 5:21 1 Peter 4:3 and Luke 21:34-46.
After exploring biblical commentaries, I concluded drunkenness and drug addiction has crippled our ability to reach our greatest potential in God. These dependencies keep us in a depressive state further separating us from God and our need for recovery and redemption.
Before you come for me, I am not saying an occasional glass of wine is ungodly (Mark 14:25). However, when we are overcome by alcohol (impaired, compelled and hide it) then we are closer to being drunkards than we think.
But then I was triggered.
Why do we refer to a weighty, overwhelming euphoric presence of God as being “drunk in the Holy Ghost?”
I’d be bold to say this has no biblical foundation, confuses the unbeliever and is void of the very essence of God. As a matter of fact, Holy Spirit has quite the opposite effect of drunkenness. Holy Spirit empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God, (Acts 1:8) and gives us self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Drunkenness on the other hand, causes us to lose control and operate as fools. To equate God’s substance to this folly is wreckless to say the least.
I don’t want to associate God’s presence as a depressive experience, lacking self-control and potentially deemed as stupid. So I challenge us to consider our words and expressions. Our reliance on the truth and accuracy of the word of God determines the fate of the world.
I hope this discovery gets us talking and eventually acting on how we can display our faith to be more like God intended with the Spirit of God at the forefront of our intentions. And that concludes my Ted Talk, carry on good people.
Feel free to leave a comment on my FB, Q&A welcomed.