As a Christian, should you get drunk?The short answer is YES — but not drunk on wine (alcohol). Instead, you should be filled and “drunk” on the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV):
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit is what Christians are meant to be intoxicated with — not earthly alcohol. We should all experience the Holy Spirit in such a deep way that it’s like being truly “drunk” on Him.
When the Holy Spirit came on the believers at Pentecost, they were filled with power and began to speak in other languages. To some observers, it looked like they were drunk:
Acts 2:12–13 (NIV):
“They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others mocked them and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’”
But Peter explained that what was happening wasn’t drunkenness from alcohol at all — it was the fulfillment of God’s promise:
Acts 2:14–18 (NIV):
“Peter stood with the eleven and raised his voice… ‘These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! … This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people… even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.’”
In the same way, the Holy Spirit is something we “drink” spiritually:
1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV):
“For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body — whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
So what does it look like when someone is “drunk on the Spirit”? Here are some characteristics:
A person who is drunk on alcohol often speaks boldly without restraint.Similarly, when someone is filled with the Holy Spirit, they gain boldness and confidence to talk about God’s kingdom.
Acts 4:31 (NIV):
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
Being filled with the Spirit strengthens our ability to proclaim God’s truth, confront sin, and praise Him without fear.
A drunk person may sleep anywhere, unaffected by discomfort, because their senses are numbed.Spiritually, someone filled with the Holy Spirit develops resilience in ministry and life — able to keep going even through hardship.
Paul describes his many hardships as a servant of Christ:
2 Corinthians 11:23–27 (NIV):
“…in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. … in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brothers…”
Paul’s endurance was a result of being “filled with the Spirit” in the midst of difficulty. We too are called to persevere:
2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV):
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.”
A true alcoholic feels the need to drink frequently.Likewise, someone filled with the Holy Spirit desires daily filling through prayer, worship, and surrender to God.
Luke 11:13 (NIV):
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
If we want to walk closely with God, our life of prayer and fellowship with the Holy Spirit must be ongoing — not occasional.
So what are you drunk on?
Remember: getting drunk on wine leads to corruption and loss of self‑control. But being filled with the Spirit leads to life, boldness, endurance, and closeness with God (as Paul warns against drunkenness in Ephesians 5:18).
If you have not yet accepted Jesus into your life, you can do that today — and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. May the Lord bless you!
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