Prov. 23:29-35
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We have a drug problem in the U.S. We could talk about:
cocaine, marijuana, meth, or heroine.
America’s #1 problem drug is not any of these illegal substances,
But a legal drug called ALCOHOL.
1. Most death
Produces more death than any other drug. Over 55% of highway deaths are alcohol related. It causes heart probs, liver probs, and powerful addiction.
2. Most addiction
There are over 17 million alcoholics in America today, and rising. They, by far, outnumber the addicts of any other drug.
3. Most misery
Think of the death, disability, psychosis, addiction…it produces more misery than any other drug.
But…what makes alcohol so dangerous is that it is sold legally.
Not only is it sold legally, but it is as widely available as a bottle of ketchup, a bottle of shampoo, or a baby’s bottle of milk…it’s just another bottle!
$25 billion will be spent this year on beverage alcohol. Not million, billion!
While it is the most dangerous drug in the world, there is no warning label on the bottle! The can doesn’t read, “#1 producer of death”, “#1 producer of addicts”, “#1 producer of misery.”
Advertisers will spend $600 million telling you that you ought to drink.
TV/Radio/Billboards/magazines
TV used to limit alcohol advertising to beer, but as of Jan. 1 of 2002, even hard liquor is allowed to advertise!
With so many telling us why we should drink, I don’t mind tonite sharing what God says about it.
Abe Lincoln said, “Alcohol has many defenders, but no defense.”
Let’s look at what God’s Word says:
1. Description of Alcohol
2. Destruction of Alcohol
3. Deception of Alcohol
4. Deliverance from Alcohol
1. Description of Alcohol
Here’s a blanket command God gives concerning the use of beverage alcohol:
v. 31 “Don’t look at it!” At what? “wine”.
Here’s some controversy: “what does wine mean?”
“Wine” in the Bible is a generic term. It is a general term that may at times refer to an intoxicating beverage, or at times it may not.
Like we use the word “drink.” “I gotta have a drink!”
We assume they mean alcohol.
In a restaurant w/ attached bar, the waitress may ask you if you would like a drink before dinner. In that context, you understand she means alcohol.
Or, you might be traveling down the road w/ the family, and one of the kids might ask to stop so they can get a drink. They probably mean soda.
Bro. Bob may walk thru the lobby by the fountain and say, “I need a quick drink before church.” We all trust he means water. (If after deacon’s meeting…then who knows what he might mean!)
Allow me to introduce you to a little Hebrew and a little Greek:
(they went in together and started a pizza shop down the street!)
Hebrew:
“Shekar”—that which intoxicates.
Always translated in KJV as “strong drink”. Every time this word is translated wine or strong drink, it is always condemned…
…with one exception: as a narcotic.
When there is great physical suffering or distress.
Prov. 31:4-6 Position of responsibility at all…NO!
Medicinal purposes…YES!
Alcohol is still used in this way today. “Baptist Bourbon” NyQuil (25%)
Hospitals used to use it and now have better drugs than alcohol to accomplish the task of relieving pain.
Of course, this has nothing to do w/ social drinking.
“Tirosh”—wine or new wine
Always a reference to grape juice, non-intoxicating.
Is. 65:8—“new wine is found in the cluster” (still on the vine)
“yayin”—may be fermented, maybe not…depending upon the context
Is. 16:10 [on screen]
We’re in the vineyard, treaders are stepping on grapes. What is exploding out of the grapes? Wine! Fermented? Intoxicating? Of course not! It’s grape juice!
Same word, however is used in Prov. 20:1. Look at it. [on screen]
This verse is talking about intoxicating, fermented wine…and warning against it.
In the NT, there is a 4th word used…
…the Greek word “oinos”, which also may or may not mean fermented wine.
I Tim. 5:23—“infirmities”, again, medicinal in nature.
Just 2 chapters previous Paul used the same word, or derivative, and told Timothy not to be given to wine, and that the deacons should abstain as well.
The distinction is clear that these men of God should not drink socially, but then balance is given medicinally…
…imagine one of our deacons in the hospital in pain, and Mrs. Sharon or Mrs. Kim comes in and says, “in accordance w/ I Tim. 3, you’re gonna have to suffer!” Chapter 5 would entitle you to that morphine you’re in need of!
Prov. 23:31—“look not upon the wine…” what wine are you talking about?
He goes on to explain, “when it is red”, lit. when it turns rosy. This is a picture of what happens in fermentation.
Some have supposed that Jesus, when He turned the water into wine in the NT, created an intoxicating beverage. I can tell you tonite w/out hesistation…HE DID NOT!!
In the first place, the Bible does not contradict itself.
If Jesus turned water into an intoxicating beverage then He violated God’s Word, He sinned, and all of Christianity falls apart!
We need not even look further into Jesus’ miracle because I know He won’t violate His own Word!
This was the first miracle He performed. His very character and nature tell us He didn’t aid in making people at a party drunk as a part of His first miracle!
And yet I visit in the homes of professing Christians and see the signs of their belief in the fridge, in the trash, in the cupboard, or in the cellar.
And many church goers, even clergy, have no hesitation about it, saying…I believe it’s OK in moderation! [the Moderation Myth]
God help us for trusting in our feelings instead of finding out what His Word says!
We’ve seen the description of Alcohol…let’s look at it’s destruction!
2. Destruction of Alcohol:
When it comes to the misery index, alcohol scores a perfect 10.
1. Sorrow factor—Prov. 23:29—“sorrow”
I cannot begin to tell you the sorrow and misery I’ve seen in people, both lost people and born-again christian people, resulting from alcohol…
…and I’ve only been in the ministry for 14 years!
I’ve seen it ruin marriages and become the direct cause of divorce.
Turn teens into rebels who ruin their lives.
Turn normally gentle/docile men into wife-beaters
Cause children to be deprived
Send people to an early grave
Thru the years I’ve seen these things and developed a genuine hatred for beverage alcohol!
2. Contention factor—
v. 29 Want a recipe for fighting/arguing/divorce/violence/murder?
Take this down, ready: Pop the top and pour
Time magazine: “1/2 of all murders are alcohol related.”
Want to drive a wedge between husband/wife, parent/child, friend/friend…?
…social drinking is a great place to start!
3. Foolishness Factor—
The one who’s usually quiet and introverted is suddenly running around the room w/ a lampshade on their head!
v. 29 “babbling”
Ever listened to a drunk person babble?
No wonder Shakespeare said, “O that men would put an enemy in their mouths, to steal their brains away.”
A man once said, “I drink vodka, so you can’t smell it on my breath.”
His friend said, “maybe you should switch to something they CAN smell…
…it’s better for them to know you’re drunk, than think you’re stupid.”
4. Mutilation factor—
v.29 “wounds w/out cause”
Alcohol kills over 200,000 Americans every year.
A generation is 40 years, right?
That means alcohol kills 8 million out of every generation.
We talk about Hitler and the holocaust, which killed 6 million.
We talk about the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, killing 80,000…Nagasaki, and 35,000 died.
And yet nearly twice that die every year from beverage alcohol…how’s that for dropping a bomb on you!
So, it’s more dangerous than the atomic bomb and the holocaust, and it’s legal, advertised, and even promoted! What’s wrong w/ this picture?
In the 9 years of the Vietnam War, 57,000 Americans died fighting for our country. Millions protested that atrocity in the streets, completely blind to the 2 million dying at the hands of alcohol during the same period of time.
Where are the protesters to the World War we call alcohol?
Where’s Jane Fonda when we really need her?!
We ask, what can we do about sars/cancer/aids…well, what about alcohol?
If it were any other plague affecting us then America would be up in arms!
The Sept. 11 fund would look like a child’s piggybank next to the “Alcoholics’ fund!”
Hollywood actors would put on telethons raising money to find a cure!
Rock stars would pack ‘em in by the thousands for benefit concerts!
Scientists--Rewards would be offered for anyone who could find an antidote!
Politicians would run on the platform of “stopping the plague that’s killing America!”
More than 400 americans will die this week in alcohol-related car wrecks…
…many of them innocent people, victimized by drunk drivers.
That’s more people than fit on a 747! What if a packed 747 went down once a week every week and everyone died.
Would we be up in arms? Would there be a congressional investigation?
The beer barons have done a number on us w/ our consent!
We hear the name Busch and think of gardens or a baseball stadium!
Coors has us thinking about snow-capped mountains and icy springs when we hear their name!
5. Mental anguish factor—
v. 29 “redness of eyes”—indicates you have been weeping and not sleeping!
Sadly, people are drinking trying to find happiness and in the end it’s the one thing they have the least of!
And even if they did have a good time briefly, they can’t remember it!
Alcohol offers you:
Red eyes/white liver/dark brown breath/a yellow streak/and a blue outlook.
On the other hand, the Bible says, “The joy of the Lord maketh full, and bringeth no sorrow with it.”
6. Health Factor—
v. 31-32 What is in the bite of a serpent? Poison!
Why do people drink and vomit? Their stomach has more sense than their head! Their body rejects the poison. That’s why we call it being “intoxicated.” It’s a toxin!
7. Immorality factor—
v. 33 “strange women”=someone you’re not married to! Look at vv. 26-27.
Alcohol breaks down inhibitions and restraint. Even the world knows it and jests, “candy is dandy but liquor is quicker!”
8. Instability factor—
v. 34 “tottering, staggering drunk” can’t walk straight, talk straight, or think straight…and yet the commercial calls him “the man of distinction.”
9. Insensibility factor—
v. 35 his sensibilities are deadened.
10. Addiction factor—
End of v. 35 “I will seek it yet again.” They sober up and realize it’s wrong, and regret it. They agree with this message, and still say, “I will seek it yet again.”
Social drinkers say, just keep it in moderation…just one drink and then put it down.
Chinese proverb, “first the man takes a drink, then the drink takes a drink, and then the drink takes the man.”
Description/Destruction…now
3. The Deception of alcohol:
Prov. 20:1 “whoever is deceived thereby is not wise”.
“a mocker”—what a mockery for the beer companies to have such control over America. P.T. Barnum made millions on the premise that “there’s a sucker born every minute.”
The beer barons are counting on it!
What a mockery. At worldly weddings the couple takes their glass and hoists up in the air something which is the most likely thing in the world to destroy their marriage. What a mockery!
A new baby arrives…same thing…a mockery!
Athletic events: who’s the biggest sponsor? And yet it will ruin an athlete.
Connie Mack: “alcohol has thrown more men out of baseball than all the umpires put together.”
Beer companies put on commercials talking about money they give to charities…they don’t talk about the money they cost us, even us who don’t drink, in crime, welfare, taxes, insurance rates, etc.
Experts say for every dollar they give it costs us 4 to clean up the mess!
It’s a mockery!
We drink for happiness became unhappy
Joy miserable
Sociability argumentative
Sophistication obnoxious
Friendship enemies
Sleep couldn’t rest
Strength became weak
Relaxation began shaking
Bravery afraid
Confidence doubtful
Strike up a conversation slurred speech
Feel heavenly Hellish
Forget forever haunted
Freedom slaves
Escape problems multiplied
Cope w/ life died
What a mockery alcohol is making of our society!
That’s the deception!
What’s the deliverance?
v. 31-- “don’t look at it!”
Back in v. 20-- don’t be together with anyone who drinks!
Alcohol is the devil’s substitute for a spirit-filled life.
Eph. 5:18—“be not drunk w/ wine, but be filled w/ the spirit!”
If you’re here and you’ve been a social drinker, please realize I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at the devil and his followers who have deceived you.
After hearing God’s Word on this matter, I’m sure you’re mad, too!
Some may need to go home and pour something out.
Every Christian in the room should come to this altar and pour their heart out to God for loved ones bound in the chains of alcohol.
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