The phrase “wine and spirits” refers to alcoholic drinks. In that regard, a dictionary definition of “spirits” is “a strong distilled alcoholic liquor,” and the British use of the word “spirits” means “alcohol” (Dictionary.com). In consideration, then, of Ephesians 5:18, there appears in Scripture a contrast between an unholy spirit and the Holy Spirit.
Notice various translations of Ephesians 5:18 so that we can grasp the effect of consuming alcohol in contrast to being filled with the Spirit. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (KJV). “And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit” (ASV). “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (NIV). “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (ESV).
The words “drunk” and “drunkenness” in both Greek and English have the same definition of “intoxication.” Therefore, Ephesians 5:18 says, “be not intoxicated…” Especially Christians, then, ought to refrain from being filled with spirits and rather opt to be filled with the Spirit.
The contrast represents polar opposites with no middle ground. On one hand, consumption of alcohol or spirits is debauchery and leads to more debauchery. On the other hand, being filled with the Spirit is an admirable pursuit, distinctly different from the unholy spirits associated with alcoholic consumption.
Medically or physiologically, too, there is no middle ground. The least amount of alcohol introduced into one’s body produces some level of intoxication (drunkenness), which the Bible uniformly condemns. Social drinking, hence, is not a harmless activity in which Christians either dare to participate or to condone in others.
In addition to negative and prohibitive biblical instructions in both the Old Testament (Proverbs 20:1; 31:4-5; 23:21, 29-35; Deuteronomy 21:20-21; Habakkuk 2:15) and the New Testament (1 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Timothy 3:3) regarding the consumption of alcohol, positive statements also have the effect of barring Christians from so-called social drinking. Christians are directed to “be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8; 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Peter 1:13; 4:7; 5:8), which means to be from intoxicants.
Priests under Judaism were forbidden to consume alcohol so that they could distinguish between the unholy and the holy. “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean” (Leviticus 10:9-10 NKJV). We New Testament priests (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6) likewise must distinguish between the unholy and the holy, which we can more nearly accomplish if we do not consume alcoholic beverages.
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