Do Not Get Drunk With Wine (Or Any Obsession) But Be Filled With the Spirit (Eph. 5:18)
Illustration: Years ago, a group of scientists concluded that people once dependent on alcohol could resume drinking without falling back into addiction. Investigative reporters, however, uncovered contrary evidence from patients who had been involved in the study. Those "cured" alcoholics who started drinking again were having extremely difficult problems. Some had even committed suicide. Apparently those scientists, whom you would expect to be trustworthy, were not reliable after all.
Religious leaders, like scientists, should always be above false claims. But Jeremiah reported evidence to the contrary. He showed that the priests, prophets, and preachers of his day were not speaking the truth (6:13). They told the people what they wanted to hear (v.14). The people didn’t want to learn about judgment, repentance, and their own lack of godliness. They eagerly accepted the message of hope and peace even though it was a pack of lies.
What about us? Do we listen only to those voices that tell us what we want to hear? Do we assume that all preachers tell the truth? Let’s make sure that we judge their message by the truths of the Bible. The Holy Spirit and the Word will alert us to false claims. (Our Daily Bread)
If "blind lead the blind," they shall both go astray
And land in the pit of despair;
So don’t be deceived as you travel life’s road--
False teachers abound everywhere. --DJD
If you know the truth, you can discern what’s false.
Introduction: Every year drug use increases and yet it pales in comparison to abuse of one world wide addiction - drunkenness. Solomon once wrote this strong warning to his son, "Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise." (Proverbs 20:1) More people have suffered from the abuse of alcohol than from all other drug addictions combined. The following are some reasons to flee from any tendency to fall into the temptation of drunkenness.
1. Paul, the apostle, wrote, "Do not get drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Eph. 5:18) Concentrate on letting the Spirit fill you up with His purpose, joy and satisfaction instead of resorting to alcohol. There really is joy in serving, loving and singing praise to Jesus.
2. Noah, a great man of God who obeyed the Lord and saved His entire household through the building of the ark, became drunk and exposed his nakedness to his children to his own shame. (Gen. 9:20,21) Great men can fall into disrepute because of the losing of self-control caused by alcohol. Noah never did any outstanding work after his drunkenness. (Gen. 9:28,29)
3. Nabal held a feast of drinking in his house and was smitten by the Lord. (I Sam 25:37,38) Nabal’s loss of self-control disqualified him from great leadership. The Lord allowed Nabal’s wrong doing to be brought down on his own head.
4. Elah over indulged in strong drink and was assassinated while drunk in his steward’s house. (I Kings 16:10) The Lord allowed a mighty king to be struck down in a time of weakness. The Lord knows that unless we are faithful in little things, we cannot stay qualified to be responsible over bigger things. (Luke 16:10)
5. King Benhadad of Syria became drunk with the kings who helped him and was defeated by Israel. (I Kings 20:20,21) Even though the Lord spared the King’s life, he lost all of his power because of a short moment of alcoholic weakness. Pride always leads to one’s destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling
6. Belshazzar drank wine before thousands and worshipped idols. The Lord allowed the famous King to be slain while he was drunk with wine. Often God allows great men to fall when they least expect it. (Dan. 5:30) Frivolity is hard to control once it begins.
7. Felix was the governor of Judaea and was guilty of imbibing in strong drink. He relied more on his human pleasures more than the Lord and went to hell. (Acts 24:25) Felix lacked a willingness to listen to Paul’s great salvation message and instead sought to extract a bribe from Paul. Felix’s thinking remained distorted even though he was introduced to one of the greatest teachers of Christian truth of the first century. Alcohol has a way of dulling our minds to the truth.
8. Drunkers are often resistant to receiving Christ as their Savior and Lord. (John 8:34) Drinking often becomes an obsession controlling the individual and their desires. Those who are servants of an obsessional desire become slaves to sin.
9. Only the Lord Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit can give the grace to be freed from the power of strong drink or any bad habit. Paul wrote, "Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, but rather offer yourselves to God, as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master. (Rom 6:13,14)
10. Only as we confess our sins of lustful desires and surrender our mind, will and emotions to the Lord will we enjoy real satisfaction, fulfillment and peace. (I John 1:9)
