Counter Thought Word Study: Years ago, while sitting at a red light in Astoria, Oregon, I saw a drunk man trying to walk around the end of a concrete parking bumper. He misjudged the distance and instead of going around, tripped over the end. He stood up and tried it again with the same result. In fact, he tried it four times before the traffic light changed and I drove on. As far as I know, he’s still there. Drunk is neither good or attractive. I have often recalled that image when reading the biblical phrase “filled with the Spirit.” In both Ephesians 5:18 and Acts 2:4, the words (pleroo [pronounced: play-ro-oh] and pimplemi) mean “under the influence of.” That does not mean “drunk” in the sense of unable to stand or speak coherently, though on occasion such outward indications are possible. (I have experienced them myself.) To emphasize such manifestations as the primary meaning, however, obscures the real significance. Rather, “under the influence” means “abounding in, wholly occupied with, affected by, full, complete.” To me, that means that my behavior should imply that I am in control of my own decisions, that my decisions are based on what I have learned from godly influence, and that I am not a complete nutcase incapable of fitting into normal society.