Addicted to the Holy Spirit

Summary

The Wake-Up Call – "Addicted to the Holy Spirit"

Podcast: The Wake-Up Call
Host: John David Walt (featuring David Walt)
Date: May 10, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this Mother’s Day episode titled “Addicted to the Holy Spirit,” John David Walt uses Ephesians 5:15–20 as a springboard to explore the biblical contrast between being filled with alcohol and being filled with the Holy Spirit. With candor and warmth, he encourages listeners to examine their relationship with alcohol while emphasizing the need for spiritual fullness. The episode weaves in family moments, community prayers, and an honest call to deeper dependence on the Spirit, closing with hymns and reminiscences about mothers.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening & Community Connection

• (00:04) John David Walt introduces the episode, welcomes the community, and encourages listeners to write cards to his father, David Walt, who joins him to sing.
  • “I so appreciate him and I appreciate you…if anybody out there would like to write him a card and just tell him yourself directly, I would love it if you do it.” (John David Walt, 00:24)

Prayer of Consecration

• (01:14) John leads the community in a reflective prayer, inviting listeners to dedicate themselves to God:
  • “Wake up, sleeper…Jesus, I belong to you. I lift up my heart to you…I offer my body to you as a living sacrifice.” (John David Walt, 01:18)

Scriptural Text & Focus

• (01:45) Scripture: Ephesians 5:15–20 is read, emphasizing verse 18:
  • “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…”

Biblical Reflection: Alcohol & The Holy Spirit

• (02:20) Walt discusses cultural and historical attitudes toward alcohol in America, then zeros in on Paul’s contrast—urging believers to be filled not with “spirits” but with the Holy Spirit.
  • “Paul does not tell the Ephesian Christians they should not drink alcohol. He assumes they do. He warns them to stay away from drunkenness.” (John David Walt, 04:41)
• Insight:
  • Drunkenness is not just excessive or rowdy behavior but a subtle crossing of internal lines—a “functional drunkenness” that can numb our spiritual sensitivity.
  • "Drunkenness grieves the Holy Spirit by displacing Him...Biblically speaking, drunkenness is debauchery, foolishness, a waste of time, and never the will of God." (John David Walt, 05:22)

Self-Examination & The Problem of Substitutes

• (07:35) Walt challenges listeners to self-examine:
  • “Do I need the spirit of alcohol to be who I have become?…If alcohol were completely taken away, would my outlook on life seem depressed? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you have a drinking problem.”
• He warns that addiction is ultimately a spiritual void:
  • “The scenario we call addiction is an unholy spirit problem…Human beings…are made to be inhabited by the Holy Spirit.” (John David Walt, 09:32)

Church, Community, and Recovery

• (11:03) Walt highlights how the foundations of Alcoholics Anonymous reflect the church’s original call to community, honesty, and collective dependence on God.
  • “I’ve become convinced over the years that AA…is a lot closer to the New Testament church than much of what we call church today.” (John David Walt, 11:38)
  • “It’s all about showing up, being real, and leaning in that we might cultivate a holy addiction to the Holy Spirit.” (11:55)

Encouragement & No Condemnation

• (12:12) Emphasizes grace:
  • “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We all are broken. We all struggle. And we all need Jesus more and more and more. And each other more and more and more.” (John David Walt, 12:31)
  • Being filled with the Spirit is “a short putt for the Lord. This is not hard for Jesus. It can be hard for us.” (12:52)

Prayer & Reflection Questions

• (13:19) A prayer is offered for deliverance from dependency on “unholy spirits,” and for true spiritual freedom.
  • “Search our hearts, minds, spirits and bodies for any ways…we have to depend on an unholy spirit.” (13:39)
• (14:20) Three reflective journal prompts:
  • What do you make of this contrast between drunkenness and being filled with the Holy Spirit?
  • How do you think about alcohol and drinking? How has your view changed over time?
  • Have you come to realize your own addiction to the Holy Spirit? How does this way of thinking about it help you?

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Subtlety of Drunkenness:

  • “If we’re using those kinds of examples to evaluate ourselves (rowdy, college kids), it’s a sign we are in denial. Drunkenness…is the crossing of a subtle line.” (06:08)

• On Spiritual Substitution:

  • “Addiction is an unholy spirit problem…Without the Holy Spirit at the core of our existence, we will turn to anything and everything under the sun to fill the void.” (09:32)

• On the True Church:

  • “AA, in its essence…is a lot closer to the New Testament church than much of what we call church today.” (11:38)

• On Grace and Community:

  • “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We all are broken. We all struggle. And we all need Jesus more and more and more.” (12:31)

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Lighthearted & Heartfelt Family Sharing

Church and Singing Together

• (16:29) David Walt expresses joy in his church community:
  • “The people over here are wonderful. They just make me feel like I fit over here.” (David Walt, 16:29)
• Invitation to listen or join Gillette Methodist Church online (17:05–17:20).

Hymn: "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less"

• (18:00–20:27) John, David, and the congregation sing the classic hymn, underscoring the episode’s message of true foundation and hope.

Remembering Mothers (Mother’s Day Segment)

• (20:29–23:12) The Walts share fond memories and gratitude for their mothers, highlighting the spiritual legacy and love passed down through generations.
  • “She’d get on us in a way that didn’t make you mad…That’s hard to do.” (David Walt, 21:04)
  • “She is a superstar mother. She just…she loves me and I love her. And we’re just happy as we can be.” (David Walt, 21:55)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:04 – Warm community greeting and personal note about David Walt
• 01:14 – Prayer of consecration
• 01:45 – Scripture reading (Ephesians 5:15–20)
• 02:20 – Introduction to the alcohol theme and scriptural focus
• 04:41–05:22 – Paul’s viewpoint and spiritual dangers of drunkenness
• 07:35–09:32 – Self-examination and spiritual root of addiction
• 11:03 – Reflections on AA and New Testament community
• 12:12–12:52 – Emphasis on grace, no condemnation, and spiritual dependence
• 13:19 – Prayer
• 14:20 – Journal prompts for reflection
• 16:29–17:20 – David’s comments about church; invitation to join online
• 18:00–20:27 – Congregational hymn: “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”
• 20:29–23:12 – Mother’s Day memories and appreciation

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Closing Thoughts

“Addicted to the Holy Spirit” is an honest, encouraging, and deeply pastoral episode, seamlessly blending scripture, self-examination, and familial love. It challenges listeners to trade all substitutes—including alcohol—for the fullness that only life in the Spirit brings, while underscoring the hope found in authentic Christian community.

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“We need to be filled by the Holy Spirit. This is a short putt for the Lord. This is not hard for Jesus. It can be hard for us. And I appreciate you hearing it today.”
— John David Walt (12:52)

Transcript

[David Walt]

Foreign.

[John David Walt]

Sower Nation. It is Sunday, May 10, Mother's Day. Wake up, sleepers. Let your mother sleep in if possible. It's May 10th, indeed in the year of our Lord 2026. I'm John David Walt, and this is your wake up call. We got a full deck, a full entry this morning. Dad's with me to sing. And you know, I realize I sometimes people wonder, like sometimes I notice you're wearing a different shirt when you do the entry and when you do the singing and. And it's because, you know, I'm. I'm working on Dad's schedule and sometimes he can get here and sometimes he can't. And it's catch as catch can. Anyway, I. I so appreciate him and I appreciate you. I. You all tell me all the time how much you love getting to do this with him. And I do, too. And I just want to thank you for that. Even before we jump in today, I want to say this, and I tell him I pass on messages a lot, but if anybody out there would like to write him a card and just tell him yourself directly, I would love it if you do it. And it would mean the world to him. I mean, he's got a lot of free time and he, you know, as. As you know, his memory is. Is leaving them pretty fast. But when you got that card, you just keep rereading it and he will do that. So I'm just going to tell you his address right here. One two seven Old Hunter Lane, Dumas. D U M A S, Arkansas A R 71639. Maybe that's ill advised of me to put this on the Internet, but it is on the Internet. You could look it up and find him. David Walt. I'll put it in the. In the PS in the notes below today somehow too. But I know people sometimes don't get the email. They're reading this on YouTube or watching it on podcasts or whatever. Anyway, let's dive into our entry today. Thanks for hearing that from me and no pressure, but some of you may want to do that. It would mean the world to him. All right, today's entry is entitled Addicted to the Holy Spirit and Our Text. I haven't even prayed our prayer of consecration. I'm way out of bounds already. Well, I'll just join. I'll start there. Wake up, sleeper let's just stop. Full stop, full stop. Wake up, sleeper Rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you Jesus, I belong to you I lift up my heart to you I set my mind on you I fix my eyes on you. I offer my body to you as a living sacrifice. Jesus, we belong to you. And we're praying. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Today's entry is entitled Addicted to the Holy Spirit. Our text, Ephesians 5, verses 15 to 20. Hear now the word of the Lord. Look carefully then how you walk. Not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery. But be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word of the Lord. Now consider this. There's a colloquial expression used often in the south when preachers get a little too personal with their hearers. They say something like, preacher, you went from preaching to meddling. Today, I suspect this may be the case with my reflection here, but we shall see. It might have been easier to talk about walking in wisdom and managing time and the like. But I sense the Lord wants me to touch down on verse 18. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery. But be filled with the Holy Spirit. Oh, my God. What shall we say about alcohol? American history tells quite the alcohol story, from the Old west to the temperance movement with the 18th and later the 21st amendments to the Constitution prohibiting and then permitting the consumption of alcohol. As the 20th century progressed, alcohol passed out of the shadows of hidden vice and into a place celebrated by some and condemned by others. As the 21st century unfolds, alcohol increasingly occupies a central place in our culture as big wine dominates our grocery stores. Bourbon and scotch create boutique industries, and craft beer carves out a lifestyle brand. Today, alcohol claims a space somewhere between hobby and sport. What shall we say about this? How about it is what it is. We can lament it, fight it, try to beat it and blight it. Or we can join it, blend it, and throw caution to the wind. Sometimes I'll trade in alliteration for a cheap rhyme scheme. I've got a better idea. Let's stick to to the text. Permit me a few observations. Paul does not tell the Ephesian Christians they should not drink alcohol. He assumes they do. He warns them to stay away from drunkenness. Years ago, this text gave me an epiphany. About alcohol. Paul's contrast between being filled with the Holy Spirit and drunkenness helped me understand why alcohol might be referred to as spirits. When people drink alcohol, it has the effect of a spirit acting on and influencing their spirit. Drunkenness comes from being filled with alcohol. In this way, drunkenness grieves the Holy Spirit by displacing him. Biblically speaking, drunkenness is debauchery, foolishness, a waste of time, and never the will of God. Let me be clear. If you regularly drink alcohol and you regularly get drunk, you have a drinking problem far worse than a drinking problem. You have a Holy Spirit problem. Not only are you not being filled with the Holy Spirit, you are quenching the work of the Spirit and grieving the person of the Spirit who is God Almighty. I don't say that to shame anyone. It's just straightforward talk. Now, let's talk about drunkenness. It is easy to assume drunkenness is that guy who got out of hand in college. Remember him? It's that girl who couldn't handle her alcohol. If we're using those kinds of examples to evaluate ourselves, it's a sign we are in denial. Drunkenness, not to be equated with rowdy behavior, is the crossing of a subtle line. Early on, our spirit recognizes the line, but each time we cross it, we become more desensitized to where it is. The place across the line becomes a new kind of comfort zone for us. Call it functional drunkenness. Now note, the Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as the comforter. You can see John 14, 16, 26, chapter 15, verse 26, and chapter 16, verse 7. This is the point at which alcohol becomes a problem, even a peril to our soul. I don't mean that in the sense that drunks will go to hell. Hell will actually come to you with all its deception, chaos and lies. Do you have a drinking problem? Ask yourself this question. Do I need the spirit of alcohol to be who I have become? Do I need the spirit of alcohol to deal with my life? Do I need the spirit of alcohol to enjoy people and activities, to be fun or to be interesting? If alcohol were completely taken away, would my outlook on life seem depressed? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you have a drinking problem. If you want to test it further, try giving up alcohol or any substitute substance for the next six months completely. What now? Stop drinking. Go to aa. Those are good ideas, but what does the text say but be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the paramount concern. Human beings created in the image of God are made to be inhabited by the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit as the animating center and core of our existence, we will turn to anything and everything under the sun to fill the void. The scenario we call addiction is an unholy spirit problem. For all the good AA and its progeny have done for so many addicts, it has had the unfortunate effect of convincing those of us who don't identify ourselves, ourselves as addicts, that we don't belong there. I've become convinced over the years that aa, Alcoholics Anonymous, in its essence, its deep essence, its true essence, maybe its originating essence, is a lot closer to the New Testament church than much of what we call church today. It's why at Seabed we put so much stock in banding. It's all about showing up, being real and leaning in that we might cultivate a holy addiction to the Holy Spirit. Yeah, I warned you that was going to be a challenger. Don't. Don't blame the messenger, okay? And if anybody wants to talk to me about it, shoot me an email. This is. This is so real. It's so common. It's not shameful, okay? There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We all are broken. We all struggle. And we all need Jesus more and more and more. And each other more and more and more. We need to be filled by the Holy Spirit. This is a short putt for the Lord. This is not hard for Jesus. It can be hard for us. And I appreciate you hearing it today. Let's pray. Abba. Father, we thank you for your son Jesus, who shows us what it looks like to live in complete and total dependence on the Holy Spirit. Thank you for this counsel of scripture on being filled with the Holy Spirit. Search our hearts, minds, spirits and bodies for any ways or even tendencies we have to depend on an unholy spirit. Ferret it out and give us the grace to let it go. We want to run in the path of your commands. We want freedom. And you give it to us in unmeasured grace. We pray in Jesus name. Amen. All right, journal prompts today. What do you make of this contrast between drunkenness and being filled with the Holy Spirit? What do you. How do you think about alcohol and drinking? And how has your view changed over time? And have you come to realize your own addiction to the Holy Spirit? How does this way of thinking about it help you? All right, it's time to sing. As I said, Dad's here, so handing it over now. All right, Church, it's time to practice. For the practice you know, that's what I call church. On Sunday morning practice. We're going to the. We're not going to the fields. We're going to the field house and we're going to sing together and pray together and hear the word read and preached and encourage one another and build each other up. Dad, do you like coming to church over here in Gillette?

[David Walt]

I love it. It's. The people over here are wonderful. They just make me feel like I fit over here.

[John David Walt]

Yeah, that's. It's a good church. You know the reason why I came to this church? Because you're here.

[David Walt]

Oh.

[John David Walt]

I mean, the Lord told me to come, but I think he told me to come because you were here in this church. You and Mom.

[David Walt]

Yeah, we. It was.

[John David Walt]

And I never. I mean, could you imagine that I would be over here in Gillette? It's a big surprise.

[David Walt]

Yep.

[John David Walt]

And it's been a good surprise.

[David Walt]

It's. It's working.

[John David Walt]

It's working. And if you don't have a church today, if you live around Gillette, Come on. If you're out there on the Internet. We're on the Internet.

[David Walt]

That's right.

[John David Walt]

I like to say we are a worldwide church. We're a Global Methodist Church. We still love the United Methodists. We don't have a bone to pick with them, but we join the Global Methodist Church. And anyway, if you don't have a church or an online church, get on Facebook or YouTube and search for us. Gillette. G I L L E T T not with it. No E on the end. Gillette Methodist Church. You'll find us. And I'd love to see you there. Now we're here to practice. For practice. We're going to sing. What are we singing this morning?

[David Walt]

Okay. My hope is built on nothing less.

[John David Walt]

Great hymn. Here it is.

[David Walt]

It goes way back.

[John David Walt]

We'll sing. Why don't we sing all of them? We'll sing 1, 3 and 4.

[David Walt]

Okay.

[John David Walt]

Okay.

[Congregation/Chorus]

My hope is built on nothing less Than righteous blood and righteousness I dare not trust the greatest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name O Christ the solid rock I stand all other grounded sinking sand all other ground is sinking sand when darkness fills his face I rest on his unchanging grace in every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil on Christ the solid rock I stand up Other ground is sinking sand all other ground is sinking sand his oath is come but let his blood sow for me in the well my flood when all around my soul gives way he then is on my hope and stone day. On Christ a solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand. Last verse. When he shall come with trumpet sound. O may I then in him be found. Rest in his righteousness alone faultless to stand before the throne On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.

[John David Walt]

You know what else it is today, dad?

[David Walt]

What is it?

[John David Walt]

Mother's day. A. The 8th. I think I know. May 10th. May 10th. May the 10th. It's Mother's Day. Now tell us about your mother.

[David Walt]

I've got a wonderful, wonderful mother. Mary Greason Walt. And she was. She took care of all of Martin and I, my brother, and then Daddy. She took care of all of us. And you know, she was. She'd get on us in a way that didn't make you mad. That's. That's hard to do.

[John David Walt]

That's a good mom right there. She get on us in a way that didn't make you mad?

[David Walt]

Because we knew we had it coming. Most of the time we knew we had it coming. So we were. But she was. I tell you right now, she's looking down on us because she's in heaven.

[John David Walt]

Mary Walt.

[David Walt]

Mary Ellen Greason Walt. She was from Hamburg.

[John David Walt]

Hamburg, Arkansas. And then you married a woman who became a great mother.

[David Walt]

I sure did. Susan Culpepper Walt. Susan Culpepper Walt.

[John David Walt]

Yeah.

[David Walt]

And she still is.

[John David Walt]

She is a superstar mother.

[David Walt]

She is. She just. She loves me and I love her. And we're just happy as we can be. And we've got a set. Well, we've got three. Three children.

[John David Walt]

Yeah.

[David Walt]

And they're.

[John David Walt]

Who's your favorite?

[David Walt]

Isn't sitting next to me until he's

[John David Walt]

with the other two sisters. And there is favorite. Missy and Erica.

[David Walt]

Yeah, Missy and Erica.

[John David Walt]

And we've had a great run, hadn't we?

[David Walt]

We have. This just been. It's been fun and it's. It's just meant a lot to all of us.

[John David Walt]

We're going all the way to the end, aren't we?

[David Walt]

That's right.

[John David Walt]

And then beyond into eternity. And so let's give thanks for our mothers today. I remember back in the. In the old days, we would wear. I think you wore a white flower if your mother had passed.

[David Walt]

Right.

[John David Walt]

A white rose. And you wore a red rose or carnation. If your mother was living. We'd go get them on at Meemaw's house. She'd have carnations growing at her house.

[Congregation/Chorus]

It's today, Mother.

[John David Walt]

It's today when we're recording this, it is. Oh, we're not gonna see you on the field today. We're gonna see see you at the house for The Awakening. I'm J.D. walt.

[David Walt]

And I'm David. Walt. Remember your mother.