December 2, 2020

Dangers of Drinking #

Proverbs 23:29-35

Introduction

People like to discount the Old Testament, because they want to live how their flesh desires. They don’t want to be under rules. The Book of Proverbs is in the Old Testament, and is not a book of rules, but rather presents Wise principles to live by! They perfectly coincide with the New Testament principles we are given.

Modern day christianity wants to say it is ok to ‘social drink’. The principles in the Word of God paint a very clear portrait of why that is a problem. There is not a more clear passage of Scripture on the dangers of wine, alcohol, and drunkenness. Many who grew up with a drunk can tell you first hand how damaging alcohol can be.

Let’s take an honest look at what the Bible says. Open your mind, open your heart, take a moment to learn truthfully what the Bible says.

Japanese proverb: “First the man takes a drink; then the drink takes a drink; then the drink takes the man.”

I. Adversities (29, 32-34) Agony #

A. Poverty (21) #

How many families are left without because a parent wasted the money on alcohol…

B. Pain (29) Three areas #

i. Emotional State (woe, sorrow) (29) #

Woe – grief, sorrow, misery heavy calamity
Drunkard
Family (spouse, children, father, mother etc)

Families broken by alcohol, fightings, jail...
Jobs lost,

iii. Physical Health (wounds, redness of eyes) #

29 – wounds without a cause, redness of eyes
- People who are impaired (weakened) by alcohol, are more prone to accidents
- It physically destroys your body. (red eyes)
32 – biteth like a serpent, stingeth like an adder

serpent – isn’t an animal to have

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1)

David said of his enemies:

“They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.” Psa 140:3

adder – venomous snake

C. Perversity (33) (eyes, heart utter) #

i. Alcohol perverts the thoughts, and corrupts the act #

D. Path of foolishness (34) (lie in the sea) #

II. Addictive (35) #

A. Dependent #

Addicted – physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance.
Your body can become addicted to alcohol, and you will not be able to function without alcohol!
Is 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

B. Seeking #

i. Continue to look for alcohol, or think about it till the next time they can drink. #

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

III. Alarm (30-31) #

A. Don’t Start! (29-30) #

i. First drink impairs one’s thinking #

1Pet. 5:8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

ii. Christians should not be controlled by alcohol #

Eph. 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

iii. Christians should abstain from all appearances of evil #

1Th. 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

iv. Alcohol is deceptive! #

Prov. 20:1 ¶ Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

B. Look (31) #

If you don’t look at it, you will not be tempted by it!
Satan convinced Eve to look at the fruit in Gen 3:6 “pleasant to the eyes”
- All the advertisements make alcohol look sooo good!
- Beer commercials are usually the best during the Super bowl… why???
- It is not a new idea, it is called temptation!

C. Lust #

If you don’t think it is that bad, you will be tempted

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;” (1 Peter 2:11)