Ecclesiastes 12:10

  If you believe the hype, alcohol is the solution to all of life's problems. The ‘factoids’ tell you liquor, wine, and beer will improve your heart, make you more socially acceptable, better the economy, bring business to downtown, give you the good life and make everything taste better.   Here are some other facts to consider: ·        The number of Americans killed in the entire thirteen-year war in Vietnam is lower than the number of Americans killed each year by drunk drivers. ·        Scripture is replete with stories of men that disobeyed God, humiliated themselves, lost battle and kingdoms, degraded themselves and mocked God all while under the influence of alcohol (Genesis 9:20-25, Genesis 19:30-38, Leviticus 10:1-2;8-10, 1 Kings 16:8-10, 1 Kings 20:16-20, Daniel 5:1-6)    ·        Alcohol abuse was a factor in forty percent of violent crimes committ...

  For years I heard some passionate debates about whether or not Jesus made intoxicating wine.  I think the real issue isn’t really a curiosity on the alcoholic content but rather if this situation would create a loophole for his followers to imbibe. Some want to find an excuse to indulge their physical desire.  It isn’t just this passage however that gets twisted.   The effects of alcohol, and other such drugs, have a biblical purpose to be used to provide relief of physical suffering and for medicinal purposes (Proverbs 31:6, 1 st Timothy 5:23).  Folks however want to have the effect without the purpose. The use is a justification rather than a legitimate reason.  But God’s people are not to be controlled by a substance but rather by the Spirit (Ephesians 5:8).   It’s sad because in the debate we often lose that principle.  I’ve seen some of the most adamant teetotalers that take pain medicine like it’s going out of style. ...

Many companies hire a spokesman to sell their product. Some will be celebrities the companies hire hoping their fame will rub off on the product. Others will be characters or mascots used to brand and create a positive image to the customers they seek. Whoever is chosen, the job is the same. Tell people good things, so they will buy the product .      In the book of Micah, the prophet found what he thought would be a perfect spokesman for the people of his day. In Micah 2:11-12, he writes “ If a man walking after wind and falsehood had told lies and said, 'I will speak out to you concerning wine and liquor,' He would be spokesman to this people .” Your see the people of his day turned against the prophets that warned of the destruction that was coming because of their disobedience. They didn't want to hear about that . They wanted to hear about drinking and good times.   It isn’t that different today. Our world doesn’t want to hear about the negative consequences o...

Have you ever read this headline? “Man wins Nobel Prize, Alcohol use suspected” I guessing not. Because any time you read an article that says something about alcohol use suspected it is usually it a tragedy, a crime or some foolish and dangerous action. Statics bear this out. Alcohol abuse was a factor in forty percent of violent crimes committed in the U.S.  Alcohol is implicated in more than 100,000 deaths annually. Forty percent of convicted rape and sexual assault offenders said that they were drinking at the time of their crime. Alcohol plays a part in up to half of water-related fatalities of adolescents and adults each year.   It is no wonder the Bible speaks it against it. Proverbs 20:1 tells us what statics have borne out “ Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise. ”