1 Cor. 6:7-12,19-20, Joy vs. the sins of excess (3)

Here are definitions of the two terms used in Gal. 5:21.

·       Drunkenness is methai.  It involves excessive use of alcoholic beverages.  We are talking “excess,” without question. 

·       Revelries is komoi.  It involves excessive feasting.  Synonyms include orgies, carousing and revelry.

What we have sought to establish to this point is that these actions are an attempt to bring the sense of “joy” into one’s life.  This attempt fails because it only addresses physical feelings; it cannot bring joy to the soul.  The sins of excess seek to satisfy the soul apart from God.  The Bible, God’s word to us, says “let all those rejoice who put their trust in You” (Ps. 5:11). 

This includes the excess of “drunkenness.”  The Bible uses that term (Ecc. 10:17; Luke 21:34).  The first use of the Hebrew word (Gen. 9:21) makes it clear what the Bible is talking about.  Then he (Noah) drank of the wine and was drunk and became uncovered in his tent (Gen. 9:21).  There is drinking of wine, which becomes excessive so that a person is controlled by the wine rather than the other way around.  The result is that the person does things that are harmful, that they would not normally do.

The NT has the same thought, as you see in Eph. 5:18: Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (excess); but be filled (controlled, overcome) with the Spirit. The word “dissipation” is used two other times in the NT, in Titus 1:6 where an elder is not to be accused of dissipation; and in 1 Peter 4:4, where the former friends of a believer think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation. 

The prevailing attitude today is that “drunkenness” is not a sin but a disease.  Thus, the treatments tend to be oriented that way.  But Scripture is clear, that drunkenness is a sin.  In 1 Cor. 5:11 a “drunkard” is classified with other evil persons: the sexually immoral, covetous, idolaters, revilers and extortioners.  Thus, the Bible’s hope for someone who is a drunkard is spiritual; it is found in Christ.  In other words, the Bible acknowledges that a person might have an inbred tendency towards drunkenness; but that does not provide an excuse.  1 Cor. 6:9-10 says that drunkards, among others, will not inherit the kingdom of God.   But it goes on to say in v11: And such were some of you.  But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 

The problem, as we have indicated from Eph. 5:18, is seen in 1 Cor. 6:12: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful.  All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.  The question is, who is in control of my life?  Is it the wine or the Holy Spirit?  As God told Cain: sin lies at the door.  And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it (Gen. 4:7).