Isaiah 29:9a

"They are drunk, but not with wine; They stagger, but not with intoxicating drink."

I always associate drunkenness with overindulgence of an alcoholic substance. But drunkenness is much more broad than this, especially when considered in spiritual terms. Here Isaiah points to Jerusalem's blindness and intoxication from trust (or faith) in Egypt instead of God. The people's consumption of cultural untruths controlled their ability to see truth, truth they were taught all too well.

Too much alcohol affects just about every function of the human body; it slurs speech, slows reaction, alters vision, impedes sleep and elevates emotion, all among other things. Too much toxin of any kind, especially the metaphorical kind found in any idol of the heart distorts our perception of truth and God. This is why Paul warns us to "... be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18) The emphasis here in not on wine (alcohol), but rather the Spirit. Being controlled by the Spirit (not filled, because we already have as much of Him as we're ever going to get) should affect every aspect of our lives; how we think, what we say, the way we react, the feelings we have, and even the peacefulness of our sleep.

So, anytime my Biblical worldview is something other than that of Christ's, then I'm intoxicated by something other than the Spirit. I need to not only watch and be careful what I eat, but I more so need be careful what I see, hear and receive.