Here's yet ANOTHER MOST
RELEVANT PROVERB...... "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and
whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise" (Prov. 20:1). Of course, all God's Proverbs are applicable to so many areas of life. It's His book of wisdom written mostly by Solomon. He knows all about living here-be-low. There are 31 chapters in the Proverbs, one for each day of the month. Read a chapter each morning.
In a time
when our Olympian champions shame themselves and embarrass all of us because of their foolishness in a drunken state, and, let me add this, when too many Evangelical Christians
unashamedly flaunt their freedom to imbibe alcoholic drinks (in spite of
the national life-agonies caused by over indulgence thereof!), it would be wise
to long ponder the Word of God in the above verse and respect the wisdom and warning
found therein. Read it again.
Thomas
Brooks once remarked, “Drunkenness unmans the man.” It has also been said, “The
sight of a drunkard is a better sermon against the vice than the best sermon
that was ever preached on that subject.” But we need sermons and lectures too.
God’s
antidote? It isn’t mere self-resolve, although much is needed. Nor is it just a detox
center (although some programs of education and emergency help can prove helpful), but God’s answer lies in
appropriating a Holy Spirit driven and empowered God-given remedy. It will be
effective if appropriated! Many have experienced this! God's ways are always best.
Ponder this:
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity,
sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger,
disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and
things like these…” (Galatians 5:19-21).
And, think about this: “So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled (literally be being filled) with the Spirit…” (Ephesians 5:17-18). This Spirit filling, God enabling provision is designed to be sought every day and every moment of every day.
And, think about this: “So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled (literally be being filled) with the Spirit…” (Ephesians 5:17-18). This Spirit filling, God enabling provision is designed to be sought every day and every moment of every day.
I do believe
in a personal and absolute prohibition. I know there are passages which seem even
to encourage alcohol intake. One of these is: “Give strong drink to him who is
perishing, and wine to him whose life is bitter. Let him drink and forget his
poverty and remember his trouble no more.” (Proverbs 31:6-7). But nowadays,
given the horrible and devastating effects seen in a society (that’s us) agonizingly
and wildly suffering from the uncontrolled usage of potent alcoholic drinks, we
have helpful pharmaceutics. These can much better aid us in our bitter and troubled lives. These may have some questionable side effects, but, all
in all, are much safer than the devastation seen too often from alcoholism.
What is God’s
antidote? Review again the above verses in Ephesians 5. Search out the meaning
of what is means to “be being filled” with the Holy Spirit. This is a continual state all Christians should covet. It pertains to
truly being “born again” (John 3), having the Holy Spirit within (this happens
at the moment of genuine salvation) and then living a life fully yielded to the
Lord. This means to be in His Word (Psalm 1:1), applying it obediently to every aspect of life,
confessing sin regularly, and prizing God’s will above all else. It entails
attending a Bible centered church where one is taught the truths of Scripture. This
process of daily holiness enlightens us to an available and necessary Godly power and sensitivity; in this we refuse
to quench or grieve the indwelling Holy Spirit. At this point His power flows
within and proves God’s enabling grace making us over-comers. IT WORKS, even though the process requires a diligent pursuit. It all comes down to whether I want to please God and live according to His will, even though His steps are arduous. They are such because He thereby teaches us persevering faith. Do I really love and believe God? Will I live by His wisdom, or, will I insist living in MY ways or the ways of this sin-sick world?
Long ago
Seneca said, “Drunkenness is nothing else but a voluntary madness.” God’s
program is a voluntary and sane determination to follow Divine wisdom, to do it
unstintingly and to reap His glorifying success. Can God be wrong about this?
-
Dick
Christen
