Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,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.
Tomorrow is the last day of our series. I had no idea how much I would learn. Thanks for traveling with me on this journey to better understand the Works of the Flesh. I hope to hear from you and what you learned from this series. Today we touch on the subject of drunkenness.
Every year in America over 200,000 die from alcohol related deaths
· auto accidents (55,000)
· homicides and suicides (15,000)
· accidental deaths (20,000)
· Not to mention the vast number who die each year from medical conditions brought on because of constant drinking.
About 350 die daily from alcohol-related problems while about 15 to 30 die daily from health effects of illegal drug use.
Alcohol is involved in 50% of spousal abuse - 50% of rapes - 32% of child abuse cases
In addition; alcohol is responsible for a vast number of diseases and ailments. According to Dr. Antonio Novello, Former U. S. Surgeon General:
“Alcohol affects immune, endocrine, and reproductive functions. Various cancers associated with drinking include cancers of the lip, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, tongue, lung, pancreas, and liver.
Other diseases include chronic gastritis, hepatitis, hypertension, and coronary heart disease . . . More of our current college students will die of cirrhosis of the liver than will get doctorates in Business Management, and Communications combined.”
According to Dr. Jean Killbourne, an international lecturer on alcohol advertising:
“Ads from the alcohol industry link drinking with happiness, wealth, prestige, sophistication, success, maturity, athletic ability, virility, creativity and sexual satisfaction.
The irony is that these are the very things that chronic alcohol abuse destroys.” So why does the Bible say the following?
Isaiah 5:22 (NIV) “Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks.”
Proverbs 23:29-35 (KJV) ““Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. ‘They hit me,’ you will say, ‘but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?’”
Ephesians 5:18 (KJV) “18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
The sin of drunkenness doesn’t usually move in alone. This Spirit usually brings sexual sins, sins of foul language, lewdness, apathy, sometimes anger or rage, sometimes spirits of other addictions or drugs in with it. It can corrupt the temple of the living God (our bodies) by allowing demonic spirits access to the temple especially if consciousness is lost (passing out). Satan truly goes around seeking whom he may destroy.
1 Peter 5:9 (NIV) “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Be of a sober mind. Know yourself. Be honest with yourself. As I can see it this is a very personal issue. Champagne toast at wedding may be okay for one person and not for another person. Wine with a spaghetti dinner may be okay for you but not for your uncle Harry. Let’s not judge others but judge ourselves and leave others to God. He is the just judge.
Tomorrow is the last day of our series. I had no idea how much I would learn. Thanks for traveling with me on this journey to better understand the Works of the Flesh. I hope to hear from you and what you learned from this series. Today we touch on the subject of drunkenness.
Every year in America over 200,000 die from alcohol related deaths
· auto accidents (55,000)
· homicides and suicides (15,000)
· accidental deaths (20,000)
· Not to mention the vast number who die each year from medical conditions brought on because of constant drinking.
About 350 die daily from alcohol-related problems while about 15 to 30 die daily from health effects of illegal drug use.
Alcohol is involved in 50% of spousal abuse - 50% of rapes - 32% of child abuse cases
In addition; alcohol is responsible for a vast number of diseases and ailments. According to Dr. Antonio Novello, Former U. S. Surgeon General:
“Alcohol affects immune, endocrine, and reproductive functions. Various cancers associated with drinking include cancers of the lip, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, tongue, lung, pancreas, and liver.
Other diseases include chronic gastritis, hepatitis, hypertension, and coronary heart disease . . . More of our current college students will die of cirrhosis of the liver than will get doctorates in Business Management, and Communications combined.”
According to Dr. Jean Killbourne, an international lecturer on alcohol advertising:
“Ads from the alcohol industry link drinking with happiness, wealth, prestige, sophistication, success, maturity, athletic ability, virility, creativity and sexual satisfaction.
The irony is that these are the very things that chronic alcohol abuse destroys.” So why does the Bible say the following?
Isaiah 5:22 (NIV) “Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks.”
Proverbs 23:29-35 (KJV) ““Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. ‘They hit me,’ you will say, ‘but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?’”
Ephesians 5:18 (KJV) “18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
The sin of drunkenness doesn’t usually move in alone. This Spirit usually brings sexual sins, sins of foul language, lewdness, apathy, sometimes anger or rage, sometimes spirits of other addictions or drugs in with it. It can corrupt the temple of the living God (our bodies) by allowing demonic spirits access to the temple especially if consciousness is lost (passing out). Satan truly goes around seeking whom he may destroy.
1 Peter 5:9 (NIV) “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Be of a sober mind. Know yourself. Be honest with yourself. As I can see it this is a very personal issue. Champagne toast at wedding may be okay for one person and not for another person. Wine with a spaghetti dinner may be okay for you but not for your uncle Harry. Let’s not judge others but judge ourselves and leave others to God. He is the just judge.
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