God's Holy Fire: 'Under the Influence'

Friday, September 18, 2026

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Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ...
— Ephesians 5:18 NIV

Key Thought

Being drunk is sometimes called being "under the influence." While we certainly are not to be under the influence of wine or other intoxicating or addictive substances, we all live under the influence of something or someone. Shortcuts to trying to live a full life nearly always involve living under the influence of some addictive substance or behavior. God's antidote is far more than a call to stop addictive behavior: It is a call to live under the influence of the Spirit of the Living God, God's holy presence that is alive within us. This Spirit-filled life is the only truly worthwhile alternative to an addiction-driven life because we all hunger and thirst at our core being for God. Anything less than experiencing this water of life within us (John 7:37-39) will leave us vulnerable to the many false substitutes that place us in bondage. "Be filled with the Spirit!" is more than a command; it is the only way to "have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10 ESV).

Today's Prayer

O Father, fill me and transform me by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within me. Mold me and conform me to the character and compassion of your Son Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Ephesians 5:18 NIV — Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ...

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About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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