What The Bible Says About Drinking Alcohol, Part II
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Most Christians who believe that the Bible is the Word of God, agree it is sinful to get drunk, but some do not know that the Bible teaches against any drinking of alcohol. Please look with me at the following Scriptures:
Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not; when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again (Prov. 23:29-35).
FRUIT OF THE VINE?
These verses from Proverbs indicate that drinking alcohol reaps the following results:
- Woe: Destruction, grief, and despair.
- Sorrow: Sadness; pain because of unmet expectations and desires.
- Contentions: Arguing, quarreling, and brawling.
- Babbling: Senseless talking and complaining from regret of lost fortunes, health, and friends.
- Wounds without cause: Physical and emotional injuries resulting from conflicts that would have usually been avoided.
- Redness of eyes: Bloodshot eyes and reduced vision.
- Tarrying: Long hours spent wasting time.
- Seeking: Wasted effort in searching for, desiring, and demanding alcohol.
TRAITS OF ALCOHOL
Also in Proverbs 23:29-35, note how the Holy Spirit describes alcohol and its effects:
- When it moveth itself aright: Alcohol tastes good, brings excitement, and stimulates conversation.
- Biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder: “At the last,” it’s like being bitten by a poisonous snake that affects the whole life—body, money, health, brain, morals, and reputation.
- Eyes shall behold strange women: It causes one to see things differently, especially lust and immorality.
- Heart shall utter perverse things: Drinking distorts values of right and wrong, which leads to saying wicked things.
- Lieth down in the midst of the sea: One who drinks is like a drowning person who seemingly is unaware of the possible consequences.
- They have stricken me and I was not sick: Alcohol numbs physical feelings so that pain is not felt or avoided.
- When I awake I will seek it yet again: Even with all of these negative results, people will go after it again because alcohol is addictive and leads to bondage.
FORGETTING GOD’S LAW
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink; lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted” (Prov. 31:4-5).
These verses indicate that drinking alcohol causes a person to ignore or cease to care about God’s law. It also results in changing or altering the basis of good decision-making.
THERE WAS NO PROFIT
“I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life…. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun” (Eccl. 2:3,11).
“Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity” (Eccl. 12:8).
Solomon said that, among other things, he made a moral decision to seek after and search after wine. But, after drinking, he realized that it was worthless, useless and unprofitable, and it fed upon and grasped at his spirit.
Next month, we will look at some more Scriptures that deal with drinking alcohol.
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