We are faced again with the contrast between the Christian and the worldling in these verses. Paganism was marked by debauchery  and drunkenness. Ephesus, a centre of paganism, would have fared no better than any other city. In its midst, the believer was to stand out by his abstinence from such a lifestyle.

I. CONSIDER WHAT WE ARE TOLD ABOUT DRUNKENNESS

1. It is forbidden to the Christian. The best way to avoid being drunk with wine was to never drink it at all. This is the logic of ‘teetotalism. It may be further argued from 1 Thess 5:22. “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 

2. Drunkenness releases human nature from all restraints. In drunkenness there is excess or “riot” or “the abandonment of decency.” The distorting and overcoming of physical powers illustrates what drunkenness does with the powers of the mind and heart. Things never contemplated when sober are entered upon by the drunken. 

3. Drunkenness is the antithesis of holiness. The impact of alcohol is set over against the effects of the Holy Spirit. One is the direct opposite of the other.