Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs Part 39: Envy, Gluttony and Drunkenness
As we turn to Proverbs 23, Solomon continues to warn against evils that can take hold and destroy a life. Particularly in these verses he is warning against envy, gluttony and drunkenness. All three of these have similarities in that they are desires that overtake and have controlling effects on our minds and our hearts. Envy of power and wealth becomes a driving force within the heart and mind allowing for evil financial and business decisions that ultimately destroy life, family and one’s relationship with God. Proverbs 23: “4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” The highs or joys of wealth last only for a season and ultimately lead to depression as the joys are very fleeting in nature. The same is true of gluttony; indeed, anything that we try to fill our emotions with outside of our relationship with Christ is futile and leads to insatiability, frustration, and depression. Do not be envious and do not listen as others ask of you to eat, drink and be merry with them. (Proverbs 23: 6-7) They are not concerned with truly being your friend or helping to lift you up; merely, they want you to wallow in the mire with them as misery loves company. Solomon gives many reasons throughout Proverbs to avoid the effects of alcohol which he reiterates in Proverbs 23. He points out the effects of it miring one’s judgment (27-29, 33) , he refers to its addictive effects (35), it’s negative health effects (32,34-35, it’s emotional effects (29,35), and it danger (verse 32). In fact, he writes that one should not even look lingeringly at the wine as it sparkles in the glass because though it may go down smoothly it will bite like a viperous snake filling you with it’s poison.
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Some would say, why would Solomon have spoken so harshly against wine and yet, Christ changed water into wine at the wedding? And the Bible clearly says that at the last supper with His disciples He served them wine? And where should the Christian stand today concerning alcohol?
Clearly the Bible is full of yes and no arguments, so where should we stand? After all, David
praised God for all that He had done and in that praise found in Psalms 104, David includes praise to God who, “14 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; 15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.” Yet, we have all the admonitions against strong drink given by Solomon both in Proverbs and in Ecclesiastes. We have the verses from Paul and Peter admonishing against drunkenness found in Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:21, and I Peter 4:3. So, one might still argue; drinking is ok, just don’t get drunk. Fine line to walk—is that one drink; maybe two? What is drunken to you or to me?
Or may be the answer is much closer than we would think? Let’s go to the words of Christ before making further decisions concerning alcohol. When the Pharisees had approached Christ and asked Him about why his disciples were not fasting; part of His reply was as recorded in Mark 2: “no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.”
2 Corinthians 5: “17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” In Christ we are like the new wine bottles, to be filled with the new wine of Gladness which is Christ Himself. Old wine (alcoholic beverages) should not be poured into the new bottles. In, the disciples day; wine could be used as medicine at times, since there were no other medications common to be used—hence Paul advised Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach’s sake and his infirmities. Key word is little and due to illness. Yet, Paul is very clear, as He wrote in Ephesians 5 “16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” If it were not for the “dulling effect” on the brain would anyone every drink? Were it not for the brief laying aside of inhibitions which allow you to stop feeling the pain or sorrow for a moment, would anyone want to drink? Were it not for it’s momentary affects against anxiety would anyone drink? Even though that effect goes away and returns with greater anxiety requiring more drink.
So, what would be the answer to the question “is it ok for a Christian to drink? “ I truly believe as a Christian you should ask about drink the same 4 questions as you ask about anything that you would do.
1. Does the choice I make right now bring Greater Glory to God at this moment? Is my choice being motivated by my desire to express God’s Glory to the world?
2. Is this choice helpful to myself and to others in the kingdom? When you consider that there are 2.5 million deaths per year in the United States related to Alcohol, not to count the number of broken homes, suicides, crimes committed under the influence, and the physical abuse, who might you be benefitting by taking that drink?
3. What emotion am I trying to cover up with the Alcohol, the overeating, or the search for money?
4. If Christ is truly my “new wine of Gladness”—isn’t He enough?
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Having tasted of the “new wine” of Christ’s Joy and Power in you; how could you ever long for the old wine?
All Glory to the Lion of Judah who became the Sacrificial Lamb that I might drink from the fountain of life forever with His Joy.
Listen to Cordero Y Leon by New Wine.
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”