In this chapter we have a father warning his young son about a very important issue. It is relevant today as we have a media of TV, radio and newspapers which are selling us the need to drink alcohol and enjoy a better life. Yet there are far more victims to alcohol than any other drug. The number one drug problem in the world is not cocaine, heroin or marijuana. It is alcohol. Some 70% of those people who have become alcoholics drank when they were teenagers. The peer pressure is to drink early and often.

1 – The consequences

Alcohol addiction leads to a life of severe consequences.

• Poverty (vs. 20-21) – There are three things that will bring poverty into your life. Gluttony, laziness and alcohol. We are blind to the cost of alcohol. Drunken drivers and the accidents they cause raise the cost of car insurance. The cost in tax payer’s money to deal with the cost of treating drunken people in their homes and in hospital. The cost in money and time for the police, hospitals and ambulance services to deal with the crime and accidents caused by drunks. This is all caused by booze. The Word of God says it brings poverty.
• Immorality (vs. 26-27) – If you drink alcohol it may cause you to commit immorality. Alcohol is not a stimulant. It is a narcotic and cause people to lose control. It does not bring a person under control but rather causes a person to lose control of the mind and the morals. The inhibitions are loosened. Under the influence of too much alcohol a person will lie, beat their partner, abuse children and commit lewd sexual acts. Teenagers will be rebels.
• Misery (vs. 29) – Alcohol promises joy but brings sorrow. It is a liability. The alcohol companies spend millions promoting it and the tax payers spend millions living with the consequences. The consequences of crime and road accidents can often be traced back to alcohol abuse. People drink for happiness but instead find sorrow. We drank for a better life but only made things worse. We drank for heaven but ended up with hell.
• Instability (vs. 34-35) – It is a picture of a struggling drunk. There is nothing funny about it if it is your child or parent. It is our business to be concerned as the drunk is often not harmless.

2 – The Answer

The idea of moderation in drinking is not a new one. Some people can control their drinking but how can you be sure you will not develop and addiction? If a major event happens in your life like the loss of a loved one, what happens if you get deeply depressed? The default can often be to “drown your sorrows” in alcohol. This can lead to an addiction or tragedy while under the influence. The safest option is total abstinence. This is difficult for some but necessary for those who have an addiction.

Jesus refused a mixed drink to ease his pain. He took vinegar only. The Christian is the holy habitation for the Holy Spirit of God. We are to honour God in our body. Our liberty is to not override the conscience of others. We need to make sure that we do not cause the weaker brother to stumble. See Romans 14:13-23, 1 Timothy 4:12 and 1 Corinthians 8:9. Total abstinence does not destroy people’s lives. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit rather than strong drink. See Ephesians 5:8.

Categories: Proverbs