Reading: Proverbs 20-22
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise (Prov. 20:1).
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:17-19). A person who overindulges in wine or other strong drink is incapable of comprehending Godly wisdom. Their senses are dulled, and their base urges are multiplied. But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment (Is. 28:7). Drunkenness is a form of idolatry; it is surrendering control of our lives to strong drink rather than to a God. It is and has always been sin.
Alcohol can be a divisive subject among Christians today. The “official” church position on it varies from denomination to denomination, with some actively embracing it in moderation, some remaining neutral on the subject, and some labeling the consumption of it as sinful under any circumstance. The views of individual Christians are similarly conflicted. Some feel strongly that consuming alcohol in any amount is yielding to temptation and thus sinful, while others hold that alcohol in and of itself is just another example of the Lord’s bountiful provision. To further complicate matters, both sides turn to the Bible to back their positions and prove their point. So, which position best reflects God’s? They all do.
God does not hold alcohol in contempt. It is a product of His creation, a substance He provided for man’s enjoyment. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart (Ps. 104:14-15). Those who do not feel the convic- tion of the Holy Spirit to abstain and choose to partake of it in moderation, in accordance with the laws of God and man, are blameless before God. But alcohol consumption by a person who believes it to be sinful is sin. Any action we take that we believe in our hearts goes against the conviction of the Holy Spirit is a sin. Not necessarily because of the act itself but because we are purposefully choosing to go against our understanding of God’s will. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17).
One final caution that we must all heed, regardless of our personal choices, is God’s admonition to place the needs of others before our own desires. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves (Rom. 15:1). Our responsibility to never knowingly lead others to sin will always take precedence over our individual rights (14:13).
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:20-23).
Thought for Today: The fallout from indulging our vices does not fall on our shoulders alone; behavior that contradicts our faith is confusing to all who witness it.
Christ Revealed: As the King who sits on the throne of judgment (Prov. 20:8). For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son (John 5:22).
Word Studies: 20:10 divers = differing; 20:19 meddle not = do not associate; 20:25 make inquiry = reconsider; 21:7 robbery = violence; 21:9 brawling = contentious; 21:14 a reward in the bosom = a secret gift; 22:2 meet together = have this in common; 22:26 sureties for = responsible for.
Pray for StaffJudy McCrary • Country: Tunisia (10,937,521) North Africa • Major Languages: Arabic, French • Islamic state -- no open ministry for Christ is permitted; strict surveillance of all Christian activities • 98% Muslim; 1% Christian; 1% Jewish and Other • Prayer Suggestion: Magnify the Lord; exalt His Name (Ps. 34:3)..
Optional Reading: Hebrews 2