“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.” – Ephesians 5:18-19

Drunkards sing. When people imbibe spirits, a strong gust of camaraderie descends, loosening tongues and fuelling boisterous singing. The man who is drunk with wine enters without inhibition into the comradeship of total strangers, and shares the hearty humour of the happy hour.

The man who is filled with the Holy Spirit sings too. The fellowship of the Spirit makes an instant band of brethren as they sing hymns and spiritual songs to God from the melody in their hearts. Just as the physical heart is a rhythmic organ – the metronome that beats out the rhythm of natural life, the spiritual heart is a melodious organ that can be strummed by spirits or by the Spirit.

Just as the physical heart is a rhythmic organ – the metronome that beats out the rhythm of natural life, the spiritual heart is a melodious organ that can be strummed by spirits or by the Spirit.

Paul’s admonition to the Ephesians about choosing who/what (the Holy Spirit rather than spirits) strums our heart takes on more significance when we look at the context in which it was given. Shortly after establishing (in chapter 4) that the entire purpose of the Christian race is that we all come to maturity in Christ, he then turns to pointing out the things that are contrary to this purpose. So, from Ephesians 4:17, he starts to lay out a long list of vices. For instance, he says,

“So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbours the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour.  Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” – (Ephesians 4:25-32).

As you read, you quickly notice that the Apostle’s style is to contrast what maturity in Christ will look like with the opposite. Essentially, be this way insteadof that other way. As you read on into chapter 5, he continues to point out even more vices that the believer who is maturing into Christlikeness must avoid, leading up to verse 15 where he then says,

Beyond the warning to steer away from drunkenness however, the more important thing to take away from this portion is that what we seek in spirits is actually found in the Holy Spirit and Happy Hour is the time we spend in fellowship with brethren making melody in our hearts to our Lord.

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:15-20

Beyond the warning to steer away from drunkenness however, the more important thing to take away from this portion is that what we seek in spirits is actually found in the Holy Spirit and Happy Hour is the time we spend in fellowship with brethren making melody in our hearts to our Lord.