ALCOHOLISM. Mark Bailey

Transcription

1 ALCOHOLISM Mark Bailey INTRODUCTION The seriousness of drinking alcoholic beverages is clearly recognized when close attention is given to the different situations and sins caused by such. By this I am not speaking only about the results such as physical abuse to family members, divorce, vehicular homicide, suicide, and other transgressions against God that relate to the act of drinking, but also to the specific sins that the Bible gives that come from drinking. Each of these sins is just as damnable to the soul as the other; yet, some are worse to the physical body than the others. In this study we will deal with all the sins that have reference to drinking. The following is a list of the sins: #1. drunkenness (methe) #2. excess of wine (oinophlugia) #3. banqueting (potos) #4. rioting (komos) #5. surfeiting (kraipale) Every time a person drinks, at least one of these sins is committed. People that drink only one beer occasionally may not be considered a drunkard in their eyes and without considering the other sins, they feel a sense of justification; however, as we will be proving in the next several pages, at least one sin will have been committed by the consumption of a single beer. Please read the next few pages with an open mind and a willingness to obey God s word. Study with the attitude: What can I do to please God? 1

2 DRUNKENNESS The Greek term methe translated as drunkenness is found three times in the New Testament. In all three accounts, warnings are given to abstain from such. Notice the warnings: Luke 21:34 Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Romans 13:13 We are commanded to walk honestly in contrast to drunkenness. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. With such warnings we must ask: What does this drunkenness involve? Thayer tells us that drunkenness is intoxication and involves:...perhaps any intoxicating drink, i Therefore, any drinking that causes intoxication is under consideration. God has always required total abstinence of alcohol for those who are closest to Him. For example, to the priests who ministered in the Tabernacle, the Lord commanded in Leviticus 10:9: Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations:... Again we know that wine was forbidden to those under special vows to God as in Numbers 6:3: He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. Concerning the coming of John the Baptist, the angel said in Luke 1:15: He shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink;... even from his mother s womb. Strong drink (sikera) is defined as: (literally intoxicating drink),... strong drink, an intoxicating beverage, Luke 1:15,... ii 2

3 Many people declare that they can drink intoxicating beverages if they do not become intoxicated. The message here, however, was not only that John would not become intoxicated but that he would not drink intoxicating drink. Warning has been repeatedly given concerning those that drink intoxicating beverages. Notice the following admonitions, given not only to the drunkard, but also to the people that may come in contact with him: 1 Corinthians 5:11... not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a... drunkard,... with such an one no not to eat. 1 Corinthians 6:10... drunkards, shall (not) inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:21 drunkenness... shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Even with such strong words of warning, some people will attempt to support their drinking habits by stating that drunkenness is sin, but that they do not drink enough to become drunk. Indeed, as Trench states, Methe... expresses a worse excess... iii and certainly it does; but does a worse excess mean that if the excess is not to this degree that it does not involve intoxication? As Christians, desiring to obey God s instructions, we must realize that drunkenness or intoxication in any degree is sinful; however, intoxication becomes increasingly worse the more one drinks intoxicating drinks. Notice the five stages of intoxication given in a booklet entitled What Everyone Should Know About Alcohol, by the Channing L. Bete Company: Stages of Intoxication 1ST STAGE (HAPPY) Talkative, sociable, relaxed. Fewer inhibitions and worries. Some loss of judgment and efficiency. 2ND STAGE (EXCITED) Emotional, erratic behavior. Thinking is impaired, reactions slowed. Poor judgment, loss of control over actions. 3RD STAGE (CONFUSED) Staggering, disoriented. Moody - exaggerated fear, anger, etc. Slurred speech, double vision. 3

4 4TH STAGE (IN A STUPOR) Unable to stand or walk approaching paralysis. Barely conscious, apathetic and inert. Vomiting, incontinence. 5TH STAGE (IN A COMA) Completely unconscious Having few or no reflexes. May die from respiratory paralysis. Any one of these stages of intoxication are what we are told to take heed to in Luke 21:34 and that those that continue in such shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21). Christians must abstain from drunkenness, that is, intoxication. How often are sincere prayers prayed, asking for wisdom and understanding in certain matters of God s word or for help in solving family or personal matters? With such thoughts in mind, we ask, what logic does it make to engage in drinking, knowing that even in the first stage of intoxication some loss of judgment and efficiency is always found? The writer said in Proverbs 20 verse 1: Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Also notice that Isaiah 28:7 says: But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. Observe that those that are deceived by strong drink is not wise and that even the priest and prophet erred due to its use - they stumbled in judgment. Again we ask, what logic does it make to pray for wisdom and then intentionally do something (such as becoming intoxicated) to cause us to stumble in judgment? Besides poor judgment, we also know that alcohol can lead to other peculiarities not becoming of a Christian. Notice the following: 1. Alcohol leads to VIOLENCE. Barroom brawls are frequent, as well as fights with family and friends. In Proverbs 23:29-30 Solomon the wise man said, Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contention? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 2. Alcohol leads to LOSING WORK. Monday morning absences due to hangovers or coming to work intoxicated has cost many people their jobs. Again, Solomon said in Proverbs 23:35 concerning those that tarry long at the wine, They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; Alcohol leads to POLICE TROUBLE. Arrests for drunkenness or creating disturbances are frequent. Statistics tell us that 1\2 of all homicides in the U.S. and 1\3 of all suicides are alcohol 4

5 related. Nearly 5.5 million arrests are made each year in the United States involving people who have used alcohol. Alcohol is our number one killer on the highways and is the leading cause of death for teenagers. 4. Alcohol leads to DIVORCE. One writer said, Alcohol is the hidden cost of broken families, abused children, ruined careers, and lives cut short. Such things cannot be doubted after reading the warning given by Solomon in Proverbs 23:31 & 33 Look not thou upon the wine... Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 5. Alcohol leads to POOR HEALTH. Concerning wine, Proverbs 23:35 says, They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick;... Dr. Karl Menninger of the Menninger Clinic in Topeka says: Alcoholism constitutes the country s largest mental health problem. The following is a documented list of other severe health problems arising from the consumption of alcoholic beverages. 1. BRAIN DAMAGE resulting in permanent psychosis.... The main effect is on the brain. Alcohol knocks out control centers, resulting in intoxication.... Alcohol is a depressant drug that slows the activity of the brain and spinal cord. 2. CANCER of the mouth, esophagus or stomach, due to the irritating effect of liquor. 3. HEART DISEASE - enlarged heart, congestive heart failure. 4. LIVER DAMAGE - cirrhosis (scarring the liver) often fatal. (alcoholic hepatitis, cancer of the liver). 5. ULCERS AND GASTRITIS due to irritation of stomach lining. 6. ADRENAL AND PITUITARY GLANDS which help supply energy to the body. 7. BIRTH DEFECTS caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Considering such illnesses it is no wonder that it is estimated that drinking can shorten the life span by years. These are a few of many serious health problems caused by drinking; however, people will still try to support the drinking of alcohol even after reading of such illnesses by saying, Doctors today claim practically everything will cause bad health. Let it be understood, we are not talking only about people of our lifetime that has given such warnings. For example, I know that there are other health problems by reading the inspired writings found in: 5

6 Isaiah 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink... they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. Isaiah 19:14... as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit. Proverbs 23: who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Such things as listed above are not the traits of a Christian but to the contrary they are the traits of the drunkard. Jesus instructed in Matthew 5:16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Instead of violence the Christian has love (Matthew 5:44); instead of losing work he provides for his family (Genesis 3:19); instead of police trouble he obeys the laws of the land (Romans 13:1-5). Is your light shining? Most of the time, people, even so called Christians, that engage in drinking, will drink more, and more frequent when problems arise in their lives. When they should be turning to the Lord for guidance, they are turning to alcohol. Under the title of Why do people drink? in a booklet by the Channing L. Bete company the following reasons are documented as the most given excuses: Why Do People Drink? 1. People drink to anesthetize the mind -- block out unwanted thoughts and feelings. 2. People drink as an ESCAPE from problems with family, job, etc. 3. People drink as a CURE FOR FEARS when courage and self-confidence are lacking. 4. People drink to BLOCK OUT PAINFUL FEELINGS of loneliness, inadequacy or self-doubt. 5. People drink as a SUBSTITUTE for close relationships or challenging work. These are not new excuses for drinking. We can read in Proverbs 31:6&7: Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 6

7 If only we could convince people that drinking never solves anything, but that it often makes matters worse by causing a sense of guilt to develop that often leads to more drinking. Obviously, many people make the mistake of turning to alcohol instead of turning to Christ when attempting to solve problems that only God can solve. We should remember the words of the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 5:6-7: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. The term care as found here simply means anxiety or worry. In other words, as Christians, we should not feel that we must rely upon alcohol or other drugs to do away with anxieties because we are commanded to turn all of our problems, all of our worries to God. God is our strength! EXCESS OF WINE The phrase excess of wine (Greek oinophlugia) is recorded only once in the New Testament. Notice Peter s words in 1 Peter 4:3: For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:... Excess of wine is the state of a person after drunkenness. Thayer tells us that this phrase comes from a compound word meaning: to bubble up, overflow. iv This sin is seen, but not limited, in people classified as alcoholics. It is simply the act of staying in the drunken state for a long period by continually drinking. Concerning this word, Trench states:... it is an extravagant indulgence in potations long drawn out such as may induce permanent mischiefs on the body... v Not only is this sin a problem today, but it was also a point of concern when people in the days of the Apostle Paul were being converted to Christianity. Before their conversions many were drunkards. They had to be taught and often rebuked for continuation in this sin that should have been left behind. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: 7

8 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Paul begins his teaching by stating that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Then he clarifies who the unrighteous are. Among many others are the drunkards, that is, those that are (as Thayer defines) intoxicated! vi Intoxication is caused by drinking intoxicating drink. A person becomes more intoxicated the more he drinks; however, he is intoxicated with the first drink. This is such a terrible sin that, concerning it, Paul gives instructions to the church in 1 Corinthians 5:11 & 13:... not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one, no, not to eat. Why does he give such instructions to the church? The answer is found in verse 13 when Paul stated that such a person is wicked. Wicked church members will corrupt the Church. This is Paul s teaching in 1 Corinthians 5:6 & 7 when he said: Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. There is to be no place for the drunkards among church members; likewise, there will be no place for them in heaven. Again, notice the words of Paul as he said in 1 Corinthians 6:10: Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. With such instructions as given above, we are sometimes made to wonder why Christians will attempt to justify themselves after engaging in drinking. I realize that some may never participate in drunkenness, to the point of becoming an alcoholic. They will even rebuke those that do; however, these same people feel justified when engaging in social drinking. This brings us to the next sin. 8

9 BANQUETING The term banqueting (potos) is recorded once in the New Testament. Peter said in 1 Peter 4:3: For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries W.E. Vine says: banqueting is literally, a drinking, signifies not simply a banquet but a drinking bout, a carousal. vii The act forbidden by this term is gathering for the purpose of drinking. Notice the definitions of other scholars: 1. A drinking, especially a drinking party, carousal. viii 2. A drinking, act of drinking, - in New Testament a drinking together, a drinking-bout. ix The thing condemned is clearly the act of drinking. There are many occasions in which people come together where social drinking is expected. Occasions of this today are found in many wedding receptions, New Year parties, job promotions and many other celebrations in which drinking wine, champagne and other alcoholic beverages are drunk together as a toast to certain people or special events. In short, the Bible does not call it social drinking but instead banqueting. Banqueting as used here by the Apostle Peter has no reference to eating, but only to drinking. Notice the following definitions: 1. a drinking, carousing. x 2. the drinking bout, the banquet, the symposium, not of necessity excessive... but giving opportunity for excess. xi I must call attention to the words stated by Trench: not of necessity excessive. This soundly closes the door on anyone s argument that it is acceptable to drink alcoholic beverages just as long as it is not to excess. Any time a gathering of people start drinking there is opportunity for drinking in excess; therefore the gathering itself is condemned by the sin banqueting. Christians, both young and old, often do not want to become classified as worldly ; however, it appears that they try to get just as close to the world as they feel possible. How often have the 9

10 words been spoken by young people, I am not going to drink -- I am not going to dance -- I am not going to participate -- I just want to go with my friends to the party. Fathers, mothers, I encourage you to forbid this action! Do not tolerate your children to go to parties where alcoholic beverages are expected even one time and you will never have to try to put a stop to it later. Also, to you same fathers and mothers, you be the right example to your children by not going to those parties (banquets) where you know alcoholic beverages will be served. Remember, your example is teaching your children to do the same. I understand that railroad workers and pilots are forbidden to work within 24 hours of drinking because it corrupts judgment. In considering this fact, I immediately think how this could affect Christians. The same corrupt judgment is also imposed upon Christians that drink. If drinking would corrupt judgment enough to forbid workers to work on railroads and airlines, it also would corrupt judgment and make it difficult, if not impossible, for God s children to retain the judgment and knowledge necessary to instruct others desiring to learn what to do to become Christians. Proverbs 31 verses 4 & 5 warns us of this danger as Solomon said: It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. May we never involve ourselves in anything that would prevent us from leading the lost to Christ. Experts tell us that it takes at least one hour... to sober up... for each drink (12 oz. beer, 5 oz. wine or ½ oz. whiskey) consumed. The opportunity of soul saving is too important to lose, simply because a person s judgment has been corrupted by drinking! While thinking about lost souls we should consider the warning found in Matthew 18:6: But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Taking heed to these instructions would force a Christian to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages. Experts tell us that: The alcoholic s recovery depends on total abstinence from alcohol. Consider the possibility - should a person be drinking and an alcoholic converted to Christianity be influenced by this action to drink even one drink could easily return him to a drunken state. That brother would have to answer to God for causing another brother to sin. Paul said in Romans 14:21: 10

11 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Surely we can understand the dangers of what is today called social drinking. Statistics show: One out of six social drinkers become problem drinkers. Anyone engaging in social drinking is taking the same chance (of becoming an alcoholic) as one playing the foolish game of Russian roulette with a revolver. Who would dare spin the chamber with only one bullet and pull the trigger? Obviously, the number would be very few; however, the number is great that takes the same odds in engaging in social drinking. William Shakespeare one time said: Alcohol is a poison men take into the mouth to steal away the brain. Consequence of Drunkenness Rioting \ Revelling In Romans 13:13 the Apostle Paul said: Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying:... The word walk has reference to the way we live, that is, to our conduct. Christians are to conduct themselves so that they are clearly recognized as being separated from the world. We should always live in a way that we could say as the Apostle Paul did in 1 Corinthians 11:1: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Paul was very explicit as he said, Let us walk (live) honestly..., that is, in a way that is characteristic of Christians. Clearly, he said that this is done by staying away from rioting. What is rioting? W.E. Vine says that the word rioting (sometimes translated as revelling) comes from the Greek word komos that is: the concomitant and consequence of drunkenness,... xii There are many evils that come because of rioting. Traits such as abusive loud talking and unusual actions are often associated with it. Notice Thayer s words concerning rioting. 11

12 ... properly a nocturnal and riotous procession of half-drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honor of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before the houses of their male and female friends; hence used generally, of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry xiii Similarly, Trench says the people:... wander through the streets, with insult and wanton outrage for every one whom they meet ; xiv Intoxication will lead a person to do and say things that they later regret. Are such things involved in rioting characteristic of Christians? We see the seriousness of this sin is enhanced in Paul s words recorded in Galatians 5:21: Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Sadly, many people appear to be perfect Christians during associations with other Christians, only to be proven as worldly during revelry when Christians are not present. We need to be careful of our actions while away from Christians just as much, if not more so, as while associated with them. Jesus said that Christians are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14) and instructs them in verse 16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Another sin found in rioting and revelling is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:20 where Paul said: For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not; lest there be debate, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:... Thayer defines tumults ( akatastasia ) as: instability, a state of disorder, disturbance, confusion:... xv Tumults is always found during times of revellings. Again, we find that revelling is characteristic of those that are not followers of Christ. In 1 Peter 4:3, Peter said: For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:... As is clearly seen, these things were done in the past but not since their conversions. 12

13 SURFEITING Jesus warned in Luke 21:34: And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. The term surfeiting is often used in reference to over eating as well as to over drinking ; however, when translated from kraipale as it is in Luke 21:34 it expresses only the over-fullness of wine. xvi Speaking of this term, Thayer says it: signifies the giddiness and headache resulting from excessive wine-bibbing, a drunken nausea xvii Surfeiting is the physical result of drinking alcoholic beverages. For example: People that are normally quiet, very easygoing, and somewhat shy become loud and aggressive while drinking. H. Leo Boles says: Surfeiting is a word common in the vocabulary of medical writers for the nausea that follows a debauch. xviii The verb form (kraipalao) of kraipale (surfeiting) is found three times in the Old Testament. By noticing these examples we can learn of other damages to the body caused by drinking. Psalms 78:65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. Isaiah 24:20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. Isaiah 29:9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. Similar results as those mentioned above are always found after one has engaged in drinking alcoholic beverages. In observing these actions would such a person ever be mistaken for a faithful Christian? I think not! 13

14 Dr. Charles Mayo Dr. Charles Mayo, famous surgeon, once delivered the following on the use of alcohol: You can get along with a wooden leg, but you can t get along with a wooden head. The physical value of man is not so much. Man as analyzed in our laboratories is worth about 98 cents. Seven bars of soap, lime enough to whitewash a chicken coop, phosphorus enough to cover the heads of a thousand matches, is not so much, you see. It is the brain that counts, but in order that your brain may be kept clear, you must keep your body fit and well. That cannot be done if one drinks liquor. A man who has to drag around a habit that is a danger and a menace to society ought to go off to the woods and live alone. We do not tolerate the obvious use of morphine or cocaine or opium and should not tolerate intoxicating liquor because I tell you these things are what break down the command of the individual over his own life. Through alcoholic stimulation a man loses his coordination. That is why liquor is no advantage to the brain. You hear people tell how their wits are quick ended for the first half-hour by liquor but they don t tell you how later their body could not act in coordination with their voice. xix Who can deny that such things are associated with drinking? Many other things could be mentioned, such as is found in Proverbs 23:29-35: Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it again. Misunderstood Scriptures Use a little wine for thy stomach s sake 1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach s sake and thine often infirmities. Many people will misapply this instruction that Paul gave to Timothy to try to justify drinking wine as a beverage. This action is merely abusing God s word. Paul was simply informing 14

15 Timothy that he has the approval of God to use wine as a medicine. Vincent refers to this instruction as a dietetic prescription. xx The fact that Timothy had to be given this instruction is proof that he wasn t even drinking a little wine to begin with - no, not even for medicinal purposes. This wine-drinking was not a customary drink, therefore, Paul gives approval to use a small quantity of wine for this purpose. This is the only way recorded that alcohol can be used with God s approval. Concerning this, Albert Barnes says: It was not for the pleasure to be derived from the use of wine, or because it would produce hilarity or excitement, but solely because it was regarded as necessary for the promotion of health; that is, as a medicine. xxi Generally today, there is no reason to use wine as a medicine. Due to scientific discoveries, other medicines have been developed as a better cure for illnesses. Of course, many medicines prescribed for us today have a certain amount of alcohol in them. Due to Paul s instructions in 1 Timothy 5:23 we may use these medicines, but they must be used with caution! Remember, Paul said, use a little wine for Timothy s illness. Just as this wine could have been abused by taking too much, so can the different medicines today. 2. Jesus turned water to wine John 2:7-10 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. Sometimes it is argued that the wine made by Jesus at the wedding feast was fermented wine. However, this cannot be proven, since the term wine as found in John 2:3-10 is translated from the Greek word oinos and is defined by some as: wine; new wine, not yet fully fermented and ripe,... xxii The term oinos is also found in Revelation 19:15 and has clear reference to the juice that is pressed out from the grapes: 15

16 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Certainly Jesus did not violate the inspired message of Solomon in Proverbs 23:31 when he said: Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Intoxication is sin! Who would think that Jesus would perform a miracle that would encourage people to commit such a sin? Also to contend that the people did not become intoxicated would not help this argument, because they would still sin by committing the sin of banqueting. Our Lord is not the author of confusion. Obviously, Jesus performed a great miracle by changing water into wine; new wine, not yet fully fermented and ripe. The miracle was in transcending the common course of nature, that is, changing one thing into something else. Changing water into fermented wine would not have made this miracle any greater than turning water into unfermented wine. 3. WHEREIN IS EXCESS Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;... This verse is divided into three phrases. Each phrase is important to our study and therefore must be examined. The simple command is given: And be not drunk with wine,... As we have already noticed, it was not uncommon for people, before their conversions, to indulge in drinking alcoholic beverages. Paul s command here is given to those who are now Christians - he is simply telling them, be not drunk with wine. The substance referred to here is alcoholic beverages of any kind and is not limited only to wine, instead it is anything that might cause intoxication. As Christians, we must abstain from all alcoholic beverages. Therefore, the question that needs to be honestly asked and answered is: When does intoxication first began? Interestingly, Dr. Barry Burger, Director of Alcohol, Drug and Depression Recovery Center at the East Alabama Medical Center says: 16

17 Since alcohol is toxic, certainly intoxication to some degree would begin with the first swallow. Just as poisoning starts with the first swallow of any poisonous drink so does intoxication start when swallowing any toxic drink. Those trying to negate this and attempting to support the idea of drinking alcoholic beverages will often, in a vain attempt, quote Paul s next statement in Ephesians 5:18, that is, wherein is excess, and then explain that this proves we can drink wine as long as it is not in excess. This is clearly done in ignorance of God s word. The phrase wherein is excess has nothing to do with the amount of alcohol consumed. It is clearly defined by Thayer as: (The character of an abandoned man, one that cannot be saved; properly incorrigibleness), an abandoned, dissolute, life, profligacy, prodigality,... xxiii Besides the verse presently under consideration this term is also translated as riot. Notice the words of Peter in 1 Peter 4:4. Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:... Paul is strongly stating, don t be drunk with wine, wherein is the character of an abandoned, incorrigible man that cannot be saved. The act of drinking intoxicating drink has no saving qualities and is put in contract with that that does, that is, being filled with the Spirit. Paul s next statement of Ephesians 5:18 shows the seriousness of this command. Not only does he tell them what not to do, he also points them to the opposite end of the situation. He says instead of being drunk with wine: be filled with the Spirit The only two choices given are being filled with intoxication or being filled with the Spirit. A combination of both does not exist. If a person is in the incorrigible state found in being filled with wine, he is not filled with the Spirit, that is, the Spirit does not control this individual, instead, he is controlled by what he drinks. Dear Christians, it is a serious matter, because intoxication does away with our influence and the possibility of leading the lost to Christ. Was any man ever made a better Christian by the use of wine? Was any minister ever better fitted to counsel an anxious sinner, or to pray, or to preach the gospel, by the use of intoxicating drinks? Let the history of wine-drinking and intemperate clergy-men answer. xxiv Christians must be guided by the power of the Spirit and not the power of wine. 17

18 Dangers of Drinking 1. Contrary to honest (Romans 13:13) 2. Listed with such sins as: rioting, chambering, wantonness, strife, envying (Romans 13:13) murders, revellings (Galatians 5:21) lasciviousness, lusts, banquetings, abominable idolatries (1 Peter 4:3) surfeiting cares of this life (Luke 21:34), thieves, covetousness, extortioners (1 Corinthians 6:10) 3. Those who do so shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21) 4. Wine is a mocker (Proverbs 20:1) 5. Removes wisdom (Proverbs 20:1) 6. Causes people to err (Isaiah 28:7) 7. Causes people to go out of the way (Isaiah 28:7) 8. Err in vision (Isaiah 28:7) 9. Stumble in judgment (Isaiah 28:7) 10. Causes sorrow (Ezekiel 23:33) 11. Causes people to weep and howl (Joel 1:5) 12. Causes a person to shout (Psalms 78:65) 13. Causes a person to reel to and fro (Isaiah 24:20) 14. Causes a person to stagger in his own vomit (Isaiah 19:14) 15. Causes woe (Proverbs 23:29) 16. Causes sorrow (Proverbs 23:29) 17. Causes contentions (Proverbs 23:29) 18. Causes babbling (Proverbs 23:29) 18

19 19. wounds without cause (Proverbs 23:29) 20. redness of eyes (Proverbs 23:29) 21. bites like a serpent (Proverbs 23:32) 22. stings like an adder (Proverbs 23:32) 23. Causes men to behold strange women (Proverbs 23:33) 24. Causes the heart (to) utter perverse things (Proverbs 23:33) 25. Strickens a man that is not sick (Proverbs 23:35) 19

20 ENDNOTES i Joseph H. Thayer, D. D., Thayer s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, (Grand Rapids, Michigan), p ii Thayer, p. 575 iii Richard Chenevix Trench, D. D., Synonyms of The New Testament, p. 225, (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Com., Grand Rapids, MI). iv Thayer, p. 442 v Trench, p. 226 vi Thayer, p. 396 vii W. E. Vine, M.A. An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words., p. 170, (Fleming H. Revell Com., Old Tappan, N.J.) viii William F. Arndt and F. Wilbur Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christians Literature, p (Zondervan Publishing House, The University of Chicago Press), ix Edward Robinson, D. D. LL. D., A Greek and English Lexicon of the New Testament, p (New York: Harper & Brothers, Pub., 82 Cliff St.) x Thayer, p. 533 xi Trench, p. 225 xii Vine, p. 293 xiii Thayer, p. 367 xiv Trench, p. 226 xv Thayer, p. 21 xvi Trench, p. 227 xvii Thayer, p. 97 xviii 1940). H. Leo Boles, A Commentary on The Gospel According to Luke, (Gospel Advocate Com., Nashville, TN xix Quoted from the Old Path Advocate, Sept. 1, 1964, p. 6. xx Marvin R. Vincent, D.D., Word Studies in the New Testament, Vol. 4, p. 270, (MacDonald Publishing Company, McLean, Virginia, 22101). xxi Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament, Thes. Phil., p. 187 (Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI). 20

21 xxii Edward Robinson, D.D. LL.D., A Greek and English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 502, (New York: Harper & Brothers, Pub., 82 Cliff St.) xxiii Thayer, p. 82 xxiv Albert Barnes 21