We all know the danger of drunk driving-it can harm you and others and even kill. Certainly as a Christian, we should NOT BE GUILTY of this SIN! But, we CAN be guilty of Spiritual Drunk Driving, which is just as harmful, and even deadly!
1. Under the Influence-We can NEVER be too FULL OF THE LORD to make use drunk. We should CONTINUALLY give more and more of ourselves to the Lord."..to be SPIRITUALLY minded is life and peace." Romans 8:6b. BUT if we don't give heed to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we make ourselves 'UNDER THE INFLUENCE' of the flesh, the world and even Satan."For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh: but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. .. So then they that are in the flesh CANNOT please God." Romans 8:5& 8.
2. Swerving-If we allow ourselves to be under the influence of the flesh, we will begin to swerve. We if start following our lusts and desires, and teaching that is not SOUND DOCTRINE, we will begin to lose control of our vessel. "For the time will come when they will not endure SOUND DOCTRINE, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.." II Tim. 4:3. "..For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. ..A double minded man is UNSTABLE in ALL HIS WAYS." James 1:6b & 8. Since Satan knows he can't take the soul of the Christian, he tries to destroy the next most important thing we have: our testimony. He knows that if he can cause us to become unstable and inconsistent, it will damage our testimony with the lost. "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from HIM that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel, Which is NOT ANOTHER; but there be some that trouble you , and would PERVERT the Gospel of Christ." Galatians 1:6&7. "From which some having SWERVED HAVE TURNED ASIDE unto vain jangling: Desiring to be teachers of the law; UNDERSTANDING NEITHER WHAT THEY SAY, NOR WHEREOF THEY AFFIRM." II Tim. 1:8&7.
3.Wrecking- The last step in spiritual drunk driving is wrecking!!! "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have MADE SHIPWRECK." I Tim. 1:19. Leaving the Lord's leadership and sound doctrine can bring ruin to our lives, and even death! " Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth for sin: and sin when IT IS FINISHED, bringeth forth DEATH. Do not ERR my beloved brethren." James 1:15 &16. If we continue down life's road swerving all over the place and following our desires, we will ruin our testimony and if we don't repent, the Lord can,and will at His discretion, take us on home. (I John 5:16).
As Christians, can we avoid this tragedy??? YES!!! The Lord has given us everything we need to keep on the straight and narrow!! WE need to:
1) Stay under the influence of THE HOLY SPIRIT-"Draw nigh to God, and HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU. Cleanse your hands ye sinners; and purify your hearts ye double minded." James 4:8. 2) Purpose to stay on the straight and narrow: "..Walk in the SPIRIT, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5:16 & Matthew 7:13-17. 3) Finish the Course! " And the peace of God, which passeth ALL UNDERSTANDING, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philp. 4:7. "I have fought a good fight, I have FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH." II Timothy 4:7. May WE ALL PURPOSE in our hearts to finish our course without crashing!!!
