Wine, Wisdom, and Warnings

Day Fifty-Three

Wine, Wisdom, and Warnings (Read Proverbs 20:1-4)

“It takes only one drink to get me drunk. The trouble is, I can’t remember if it’s the thirteenth or the fourteenth.” ~ George Burns

Proverbs 20 presents a stark warning about the perils of overindulgence, particularly concerning intoxicating substances like wine and beer and mood-altering substances, including prescription medication. Describing these drinks or drugs as “insolent rowdies,” the proverb highlights how they can lure even the wise into folly. The text does not advocate for total abstinence; wine symbolizes a blessing in Scripture (this reference to a blessing excludes mood-altering substances and the abuse of prescription medication.). However, it cautions that when consumed in excess, these substances lead to a loss of self-control, clouded judgment, and, ultimately, poverty. This ancient wisdom resonates today, reminding us that the line between enjoying life’s blessings and falling into destructive habits is one we must navigate with care.

What is your relationship with alcohol of any type, mood-altering substances of any kind, including prescription drugs? What has intoxication cost you throughout your life? Relationships, employment, the privilege to drive, health, freedom, or other opportunities that never materialized? Do you suffer from a hopeless state of mind (mental obsession) and body (physical cravings)? Intoxication is considered a sin in Scripture (sin = missing the mark). Like all sin, it’s progressive, never improving, only worsening. Once you cross that invisible line between social drinking and alcoholism/addiction, there is no coming back. The only options available are sobered up (recovery), locked up (institutionalized), or covered up (death).

20 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls.
    Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.

“I had the right to remain silent... but I didn’t have the ability.” ~ Ron White, comedian

“Drink is in itself a good creature of God, and to be received with thankfulness, but the abuse of drink is from Satan, the wine is from God, but the Drunkard is from the Devil.” ~ Increase Mather

Denial is a natural response as it relates to alcohol and drug abuse. The reality is that alcoholism and addiction surpass denial by a wide margin and merge into the realm of delusion and illusion. This dilemma means you can’t see yourself for what you genuinely are, nor can you differentiate the truth from the false.

There is no going back once you transition from a cucumber to a pickle. It’s possible you were never a cucumber start with, just a pickle from birth; all you lacked was water, salt, sugar, and vinegar.

If you are reading this and you can’t control the amount you drink or once you start, you can’t stop, you need serious and immediate help.

If you earnestly desire to stop, help is available, and you are encouraged to seek help “NOW.” If you can’t stop drinking, search for Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) in your area. If you can’t stop using and abusing mood-altering substances, including prescription medication, then search for Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.) Heroin Anonymous (H.A.), Cocaine Anonymous (C.A.), etc. There are religious-based recovery groups, e.g., Celebrate Recovery, and secular recovery groups, e.g., Smart Recovery.

The most important thing to know is that immediate help is available, and you don’t have to go it alone. If you need detox, seek treatment immediately, then segway into the fellowship of recovery. Any attempt to get clean and sober on your own will be highly ineffective and most likely lead to self-destruction and the destruction of others.

If you are the parent, spouse, partner, sibling, child, or close friend of an alcoholic or addict, there is help for you too. Seek out the worldwide fellowship of Alanon, Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA), or Celebrate Recovery.

The best news is that recovery is available and attainable; God could and would prevail if sought, so surrender and seek and do it “NOW.” 

May God bless your hearing, understanding, and application of today’s wisdom.