Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?” (Proverbs 23:29-35)
Alcohol Makes Fools Of Men
Many temptations plague the souls of men. Since the beginning of time, alcohol has been at the top of the list of evil conjurers that destroy men’s souls. After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard, and when it matured, he made strong drink and drank it. His son Ham shamed his father, and God cursed Ham’s lineage. There are seldom good consequences from alcohol. God repeatedly warned His people about the dangers of mixed wines and strong drink. Idolatry is filled with the libations of alcohol in excess. Sexual immorality and alcohol are kin to each other in the decadence of sinful activity. Drunkenness is condemned throughout scripture.
Solomon knew the dangers of alcohol and the consequences of its bite. If someone wanted to fill their lives with anguish, sorrow, conflict, and wounds without cause, they had only to take up the drink. Alcohol turns the eyes bloodshot. Those who spend long hours seeking the lure of red, sparkling wine that swirls around smoothly will find nothing more than woe and misery. The joy of drinking is the glamor of alcohol wrapped in the sophisticated and suave attraction of happiness. Selling alcohol never begins with the broken lives, ruined families, and caskets filling the cemeteries. Alcohol is glamorized. It will make a man a bigger man and a woman more attractive. The reality is that alcohol makes people stupid. They act like fools and suffer the fool’s folly.
The Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on January 16, 1919, and repealed on December 5, 1933. Under the Eighteenth Amendment, it was illegal to produce, import, transport, and sell alcohol. History shows the Amendment did little to stop the manufacturing and selling of alcohol because the foolishness of alcohol must be dealt with from the heart, not the mouth. The public wanted their drink, and illegal profiteers gladly supplied all that was needed. Alcohol bites like a serpent and stings like a viper, and no law was going to take that away from the desire to drink. The stupidity of alcohol is how it brings about hallucinations and foolish behavior. With enough alcohol, the mind is unable to make choices, and the result is the killing of the innocent. Almost 12,000 people die each year because of a foolish drink.
Some people think they can dabble in alcohol and remain safe. They are the biggest fools. Each drink increases the reality of drunkenness. They are not exercising self-control because they desire to be cool, look like the rest of the world, and enjoy the forbidden fruits of alcohol. God’s people are told to control the lusts of the flesh. Drinking alcohol denies God’s will. A Christian who drinks socially is a fool, thinking they can take fire in their bosom and their clothes will not burn. The consequences are severe. God shouts the danger of alcohol loudly as foolish. Refusing to listen will only bring heartache and woe. Control the desires of the flesh, and life will be filled with the blessings of God.
