Wine and strong drink have been around at least since the time of Noah (after the flood). See Genesis 9:20-21 for the first biblical reference to wine, strong drink and a vineyard.
It is clear from scripture that drunkenness is a moral issue. Drunkenness is sin. Many people justify drinking by simply asserting that the Bible does not condemn drinking, only drunkenness. Even so, let’s step back from all the ‘nit-picking’ arguments and take a look at something God revealed.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.—Proverbs 20:1
Wine and strong drink are personified. We understand this kind of figure of speech. However, we must not overlook the reality presented by this poetic picture: Wine and strong drink have an effect on the personality of the one drinking.
Intoxicating drink changes a person. We could talk about physiological changes. However, the changes are not purely physical. If the effects were, for example, a weakened body, or baldness, or decaying teeth, then we could reason that the effect was purely physical.
However, intoxicating drink changes one’s personality, disposition, and the ability to think. A person becomes a mocker and a brawler (fighter). Once the intoxicating drink gets into the blood stream, the change is beyond a person's control. Mints might mask one’s breath, but they won't magically remove the alcohol from one's body. (Hollywood often presents a false view of recovery from drunkenness.)
There are changes that occur as intoxicating drink affects the mind and spirit of a person. In Scripture the spirit of man is intimately connected to the human intellect, emotion and the human will. Physically, the human brain is involved in all that. From the body to the brain to the mind to the spirit, intoxicating drink changes a person without asking permission.
In simple terms, intoxicating drink causes a person to temporarily lose his/her mind.
Drink deeply from the words of the Apostle Paul:
Intoxicating drink changes a person. We could talk about physiological changes. However, the changes are not purely physical. If the effects were, for example, a weakened body, or baldness, or decaying teeth, then we could reason that the effect was purely physical.
However, intoxicating drink changes one’s personality, disposition, and the ability to think. A person becomes a mocker and a brawler (fighter). Once the intoxicating drink gets into the blood stream, the change is beyond a person's control. Mints might mask one’s breath, but they won't magically remove the alcohol from one's body. (Hollywood often presents a false view of recovery from drunkenness.)
There are changes that occur as intoxicating drink affects the mind and spirit of a person. In Scripture the spirit of man is intimately connected to the human intellect, emotion and the human will. Physically, the human brain is involved in all that. From the body to the brain to the mind to the spirit, intoxicating drink changes a person without asking permission.
In simple terms, intoxicating drink causes a person to temporarily lose his/her mind.
Drink deeply from the words of the Apostle Paul:
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.--Ephesians 5:18
Do you see the contrast?
Being filled with the Spirit of God stands in stark contrast to drunkenness, that is, being filled with intoxicating drink.
The Bible teaches that the Spirit of God dwells within each Christian to enable and assist. The Spirit of God cannot enable you in your pursuit of godliness, cannot assist you to do God's will, cannot bring comfort into your life when He is forced out of your being by intoxicating drink.
Drinking wine and intoxicating drinks is no laughing matter. Nor is it merely a moral issue, as if a mere religious rule. Your spiritual well-being is at stake.
Will you choose to be filled with the Spirit of God or the spirits of mockery and brawling from the local ‘Spirit Shop’?
Mark Stinnett
The Bible teaches that the Spirit of God dwells within each Christian to enable and assist. The Spirit of God cannot enable you in your pursuit of godliness, cannot assist you to do God's will, cannot bring comfort into your life when He is forced out of your being by intoxicating drink.
Drinking wine and intoxicating drinks is no laughing matter. Nor is it merely a moral issue, as if a mere religious rule. Your spiritual well-being is at stake.
Will you choose to be filled with the Spirit of God or the spirits of mockery and brawling from the local ‘Spirit Shop’?
Mark Stinnett
April 2, 2023
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are welcome from all readers. Please be respectful toward others who post comments. Choose your words wisely.