Giving ourselves over to drinking alcohol has many consequences. And God is not happy with our actions, if we are caught up with this. Solomon said, 1“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.” There is distress and sorrow in a person’s life that can’t stop drinking. They stir up contentions with their wife and kids. They often say things that make no sense. Because they are not fully aware of their surroundings, they get caught up in fights. To be plain, they have lost control. And it is easy to recognize someone that is drinking, for their eyes are red. This is key to recognizing what a person has become in that moment. And here is what they are like, 1“thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.” Yes, the lusts of the flesh are on full display and woman of all kinds look good to men, while men of all kinds look good to women. They often find themselves with that person the next day and wonder, what was I thinking. And truth of the matter is, they were not able to think clearly. For that reason, the night before, they said stupid things and often things they wish they could take back. For these words are very hurtful and do more harm than not. But what is so sad about this lifestyle is that these same people say to themselves, 1“when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.” They can’t get enough of it. What these types of people do not realize is that alcohol is not only destroying their lives but also their relationship with God. Giving ourselves over to these things is choosing the flesh over the Spirit. We are telling God that we choose the happiness we have now, then the joy we can have in heaven.
Solomon continued to say, 1“let not thine heart envy sinners.” It is unwise to want what they have. It also very foolish to be partakers in their same sins. As we do such things, it also takes over our lives until we are also like them. 1“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” As they go about to 1“eat and drink”, they also 1“saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” Because alcohol warps your mind, you are not the same person. However, what you think about says a lot about who you are. And if your thoughts are for the world, God knows it. He can see every action we make and if we seek the Spirit in our lives or not. And please know that drinking only deters You from Him. Because you are not sober, the Lord cannot guide you. However, what He can do is give you counsel. Even in the times that you are most wicked, the Lord is still calling out your name. He will never stop calling you to repentance, for His will is that you are restored through His blood. His mercy is for you, but you must first seek Him and show your openness to receive His guidance. Then, in prayer, the Lord may say, 1“apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.” His will is that you submit yourselves to Him fully, that you may learn from Him. He also advises that you allow Him to correct you. This could save your life and your marriage, as you hear God’s wisdom for your life. If you confess your sins, He is willing to forgive. As you turn from your sins, the Lord is able to break the bonds of addiction. We may not have been able to get out of the mess that we are in, on our own, but God is able to do all things for those that trust in Him. And as you turn to follow Jesus, this is how God feels, 1“my son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.” God is so happy when we finally repent.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray for those that are addicted to drinking alcohol. My heart is saddened to see these people destroying their lives. So many marriages are shattered because of spouses and even children getting drunk. Unnecessary contention is stirred up because of alcohol. There is so much sadness and depression because of this drug. Lord, convict every person with this addiction that what they are doing is wrong. Help them know that when they drink, they are not only hurting their own lives but the people they are around. May they come to realize the gravity of their situation with the people they are around and You. Help them know that until their chains are broken, their lusts for these things will never stop. Only You can scatter the darkness and lead us into Your light. We are not able to be sober minded on our own but You can help us overcome all things. We are overcomers with You in our life, Jesus. May more Christians learn the importance of fighting against sin and no longer abide in it. Help them understand the importance of raising their shield of faith, in order to fight against temptation. It is when we let our guard down is when things start to fall apart. So we ask You, Lord, to lead us and guide us. Help us to be warriors for Your cause. Your love surpasses the happiness of this world, for Your love is greater. There is so much more joy in Your presence. We love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Proverbs 23 (KJV)
1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
27 For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
28 She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.
29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34 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.
35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
