Drinking

• People controlled by alcohol are fools (Proverbs 20: 1)-Wine produces mockers; liquor leads to brawls.  Whoever is led astray by drinking cannot be wise.  Drinking wine produces mockers.  Mockers are not wise.  They are against God.  They are God's enemies.  Being an enemy of God is not good.  His wrath is sure to follow.  Liquor leads to brawls.  Brawls leads to injury, jail, and even death.  This is why scripture says that people who are controlled by alcohol are fools.  We need to be wise and take heed to God's instruction.
• Alcohol can cause you to become poor (Proverbs 21: 17)-Those who love pleasure become poor; wine and luxury are not the way of riches.  Alcohol is used to bring certain pleasure to our lives; but, with that pleasure, we can become poor in many ways.  We not only can become financially poor if we over indulge in it, but, we become poor in spirit, poor in health, poor in decision-making.  This in time can lead to losing financial riches down the road, along with hurting so many other relationships besides business relationships.  Our families are affected; friendships are also affected.  Some people believe that if they indulge in wine and luxury that they are experiencing a finer, better life.  In fact, it is the opposite of that.  Wine and luxury lead to a poor spiritual life.  They build a wall between us and God.  They cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit (our true source of riches) because they seek fulfillment from the pleasures of the world in stead; and it is never really fully achieved or obtained.  We must be sure to seek spiritual riches in heaven; not focus on wine and luxury which only bring temporary joy on earth.    
• Alcohol can destroy you (Proverbs 23: 29-35)-Who has anguish?  Who has sorrow?  Who is always fighting?  Who is always complaining?  Who has unnecessary bruises?  Who has bloodshot eyes?  It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks.  Don't let the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive you.  For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like a viper.  You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things.  You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast.  And you will say, "They hit me, but I didn't feel it.  I didn't even know it when they beat me up.  When will I wake up so I can have another drink?"  Alcohol can destroy you in that it brings on feelings of anguish, sorrow, fighting, complaining, unnecessary bruises, and bloodshot eyes.  Who really wants to live like this?  Those people who spend long hours in taverns, trying out all the new drinks, they live a lie.  The sparkle in champagnes, and wines looks enticing, but we shouldn't let that and it's smooth taste deceive us.  It's like getting bitten by a poisonous snake, like getting stung by a viper.  The results can be devastating.  People who consume alcohol often have hallucinations.  They see things that aren't really there, or things that didn't really happen.  It causes them to say things that don't even make sense, or things that are completely irrelevant to what's happening right at the moment.  They stagger in their walk; sometimes falling and sustaining bad injury.  They sometimes get robbed, beat, raped, and completely taken advantage of.  They can have some of the worst things happen to them, and just wake up the next day and go through the same thing all over again.  This lifestyle though it may seem fun at the time, down the road can lead to a lot of hurt.  Not just to the person who is drinking, but, to their families, jobs, and other relationships.  It is no wonder why God warns us not to indulge in it.  He hates drunkenness.  
• God will judge those who are controlled by alcohol (Isaiah 5: 22)-Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.  God will justly judge those who are controlled by alcohol in that, often you see that those who let alcohol control them, say that evil is good, and good is evil.  They often say that the things that are against God is actually good, and that what is for God is actually bad.  They often go against God, His word, His commands, and His Servants.  They often speak evil, vile things about God, the word of God, and His Servants.  They try to make light of God, His word, and His Servants, and make great what is against God, and actually the things that aren't very important, or beneficial to mankind.  For this, they will be judged unless they repent.
• Becoming drunk is dangerous (Luke 21: 34)-Watch out!  Don't let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life.  Don't let that day catch you unaware, as in a trap.  Jesus spoke to His disciples warning and teaching them the way that they should live.  He told them that becoming drunk is dangerous, because of all the other bad it can lead to.  He warned them and all believers that they should be more concerned with preparing their lives for His return, or to meet Him, our Creator, instead of becoming drunk, or living a more sinful life.  If we read on we see that it says; For that day will come upon everyone living on earth.  Keep a constant watch.  And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man.  You see, everyday, Jesus went to the Temple to teach, and each evening he returned to spend the night on the Mount of Olives.  The crowds gathered early in the morning to hear him.  So, He wants us to hear Him today; through His word.  That is why we are here. 
• Drunkenness is not fitting for a Christian (Romans 13: 11-14)-Another reason for right living is that you know how late it is; time is running out.  Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.  The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here.  So, don't live in darkness.  Get rid of your evil deeds.  Shed them like dirty clothes.  Clothe yourselves with the armor of right living, as those who live in the light.  We should be living as those who live in the light.  We should be decent and true in everything we do, so that everyone can approve of our behavior.  Don't participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adultery and immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy.  But let the LORD Jesus Christ take control of you, and don't think of ways to indulge in your evil desires.  In these verses, we can clearly see why drunkenness is not fitting for Christians.  We know that we do not have a lot of time left before the LORD Jesus returns to earth for rapture.  We need to wake up, because each day we get closer and closer to it.  So, we need to live in the light.  And we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, with love, truth, honor, righteousness.  We need to get rid of all evil we may have ever participated in.  We need to clothe ourselves spiritually with the armor of right living.  We need to live blameless lives before we part from this earth.  Before we meet our creator, we must do away with all evil, and sinful practices.  We should be non-correctable.  No one should be able to rebuke us in any of our dealings, or settings, whether it be work, Church, home, or somewhere else.  This is how we seek spiritual perfection, by putting away all evil, and being filled with God's goodness; and purity.  With His help, we can achieve this.
• Drunkenness can cause immoral behavior (Ephesians 5: 18)-Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.  Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.  Getting drunk can cause immoral behavior.  Many people have committed the worst acts while being drunk.  They have fallen into some of the most shameful things that they would otherwise never commit.  Once those acts are done, they cannot be undone.  The damage can be devastating.  The effects can last a lifetime.  Instead, the LORD wants us to let His Holy Spirit fill and control us.  When we ask God to take the wheel, and take control of our lives; we see nothing but, wonderful, amazing things come from it.  When He takes control of us, the results are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  This is the sort of life that God wants us to live.  He wants us to want Him to take control of our lives.  Without Him, we fail.

I hope that this study is as helpful to you as it has been to me.  We all need help in these areas where the world is filled with so many things..so many lies.  Sometimes we don't know what to believe.  But, in these verses, we see where God clearly shows us and explains the reasons for not indulging in this type of behavior.  It is for our own good.  Our lives really do depend on it.  Even those people who cannot admit that they really wish they could go back in time, and change certain events that took place, as a result of taking part in drunkenness, and wild parties; know that the LORD's instruction is right; and best especially for believers.  We see proof of this on the news everyday.  So, we should be careful in the way that we live; so that it reflects a life of purity, and submission to Christ.  Without it, we are lost.  Until next week; please be safe, be blessed; and experience life in God's peace!!!!!!!!!!!   God bless you!