The Christian's Wine

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." 

Ephesians 5:18

In a sense, Paul is saying here that the Holy Spirit is the Christian's "wine". Wine has a reputation for making people happy in an unrestrained sort of way (Psalm 104:15). However, that happiness is "excessive" in the sense that, when one is drunk, it releases one's inhibitions and leads them to do all sorts of embarrassing, inappropriate things that they wouldn't normally do.

In the same way, Paul promises that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will fill us with happiness, such that we won't be able to restrain the impulse to sing and praise God in a way that wouldn't otherwise come naturally to us (Ephesians 5:19). However, in contrast with wine, the Holy Spirit will never lead us to engage in inappropriate, morally embarrassing behavior. The Holy Spirit will release our inhibitions in a good, holy way.

I love how God never asks us to give up something without providing something better in its place!