December 19
PROVERBS 23
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who tarry long over wine;
those who go to try mixed wine.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup
and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a serpent
and stings like an adder.
– Proverbs 23:29-32
PROVERBS 23 WARNING ON DRUNKENNESS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
If we do not curb our appetites and desires
We will easily be tempted to satisfy our cravings
Be watchful that you do not get enticed by too much drinks
If you succumb to the call of wine and alcohol, you may sin
Drunkenness leads to many other undesirable outcomes
You will lose control and later regret that you caved in.
Is drunkenness a sin? Ephesians 5:18 says that we should not be drunk on wine because it leads to debauchery. Gotquestions.org defines debauchery as the habitual and unrestrained indulgence of lust and sensuality. There are several places in Scripture where the word debauchery is used to indicate what we would today call “partying.” It encompasses several aspects of unholy living, including but not limited to sexual immorality, drunkenness, crude talk, and generally out-of-control behavior. Solomon warns us of the sin of drunkenness which leads to other sins.
REFLECTION
• What does Ephesians 5:18 recommend for us to be filled with instead of wine?
