Daily Word
Prepared By: Suzy Naber
28 /12/2006
We are still quoting scriptures on alcohol from the Old Testament.
Proverbs 23: 29-35 "Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"
The author of Proverbs tells us to wise up about alcohol. We do that by understanding the consequences of intoxication, by distrusting the promises associated with drinking, and finally by acknowledging the addictive power of alcohol. The author shows us the dangerous path of the alcoholic and warns us to avoid walking down that path at all costs. We are towarn people against the dangers of alcohol. As mentioned, drinking becomes dangerous and wrong when it leads to drunkenness when it controls our actions or when it causes us to disobey and dishonor god. If we cannot control ourselves, then a complete abstinence is the only way to insure that we will avoid the sin of drunkenness. Today, the drinks are so strong that one mixed drink or one beer is sufficient to lower one's inhibitions.
God knows the devastating impact alcohol has on countless people. He sees the jobs lost, the families shattered, and the lives destroyed by alcohol, and He wants to protect us from these things. He has a plan for our life that is far greater than any bottle of alcohol could ever possibly give; (Jeremiah 29:11) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ". God loves us, and knows what it takes to truly make us happy. (In John 10:10) Jesus said; "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Alcoholism ruins marriages and becomes the direct cause of divorce. It turns normally gentle men into wife-beaters and causes children to be devastated. It turns teens into rebels, drug addicts and ruins their lives and sends people to an early grave. According to statistics, alcohol kills 8 million out of every generation, many of the victims are killed by drunk drivers, and 1/2 of all murders are alcohol related.”
2 Peter 2:19 "They promise them freedom; while they themselves are slaves of depravity for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him." Whatever has control over you is your master. If God is your master, he will raise you and encourage you, but if drinking is your master, then it will only tear you down and make you a slave to its addictive power.
In light of Jesus’ soon return, we are called to live holy and sober lives. In Luke 21:34 Jesus said: "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly." Paul also warns in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-7 "for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled; for those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet". Amen.
Prayer: "Father, thank You for revealing to me the truth about drinking. Help me to trust you in everything and help me to be alert and self-controlled and be ready for your return. Amen."
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