Be Wise about Alcohol — Various Proverbs Feb. 08, 2004
Introduction
My dad drank until it weakened his brain. He died in a hospital for
alcohol
related mental problems. On his death certificate the cause of death was
listed
as premature senility, caused by alcohol. He was fifty-one years
of age. My dad,
on several occasions, told me, “Son take a fool’s advice and never touch
the
stuff.” The lesson today encourages us to be wise about alcohol.
1. Be Wise about Alcohol Because It Is . . Deceptive. Pr. 20:1, 23:19-21
I have seen wine cause one to be mocked, and a drinking person become a
brawler. Very few people start out using alcoholic beverages with the goal
of
being deceived. How sad (but humorous) it is to watch a person try
to walk
normally, and think he/she is not staggering. Sadly, quite often
their morals and
their countenance also staggers. The word here translated “beer”
in the HCSB,
is strong drink in many translations. The final admonition of these passages
deals with associations. Many people start using alcoholic beverages
because
of peer pressure, others continue to drink because of friends and associates.
This gives another reason to maintain Christian friendships.
2. Be Wise about Alcohol Because It Is . . Destructive. Pr. 23:29-30
Alcohol causes the indiscretions that result in conflicts, complaints,
and sorrow.
This conduct is identified for those who linger over wine. Recently
I saw a
television program about the career of a popular song writer-entertainer.
In his
life he had participated in some abnormal events that received notoriety.
As
these were shown he sort of hung his head and said, “alcohol will cause
a man
to do some stupid things. I am sorry for those actions, and the pain
it caused my
family.”
3. Be Wise about Alcohol Because It Causes. .Dependancy. Pr.23:31-35
The advertisers paint a picture for the marketing of alcoholic beverages;
they
make it attractive. They are deceptive because they do not show the
final
effects. The speech of one lingering at the bar will become absurd,
and he/she
may see strange visions. Alcohol has led many to become
dependant.
4. Be Wise about Alcohol Because It Is . . Distractive. Pr. 31:4-5
Wise decisions will rarely be made while under the influence of alcohol,
and
leaders are advised to abstain. It affects a person’s memory and
morality. Some
have compromised their convictions while under the influence of alcohol.
5. Be Wise about Alcohol Because It Is. . Disparaging. Pr. 31:6-7
Our quarterly says these words may be a sarcastic statement. They
may also be
the basis of the soldiers offering Jesus a drink while He hung on the cross.
Some will try to make these verses speak in favor of using alcohol for
medicinal
purposes. I believe we have several more potent pain killers to use
today. In
verse seven many people’s poverty was caused by alcohol. It did not
help in my
home to forget our poverty but reminded us of the cause of our financial
problems. Let’s Be Wise About Alcohol! Amen? Amen!
Wise About Sexual Purity — Various Proverbs Feb. 15, 2004
Introduction
I find it very interesting that a high percentage of young people responded
to a survey
and indicated they wish they had waited until marriage for their first
sexual experience.
Did you know a major Newspaper, when told about our emphasis called True
Love
Waits, wrote an article titled It’s about Time. Even if they disagree,
the world expects
Christianity to stand up for Christian morality. A few years ago a young
lady crowned as
Miss America , urged other young people to remain virgins until marriage.
The Bible tells
us sexual purity is wise.
1. Be Wise About Sexual Purity . . Eliminate the Deception.
5:3-6
The words of an adulteress are deceptive, even though they may appear to
be
appealing. The bitterness of wormwood describes the final taste of
this deception. Why
is this true? The adulteress nor the adulterer consider the outcome
of their ways.
Earlier a scripture told us “think about Him in all your ways, and He will
guide you on the
right paths.” (Prov 3:6 HCSB) Because the sexually impure do
not follow the word of
God they are deceived.
2. Be Wise About Sexual Purity . . Eliminate the Destruction. 5:7-14
Homes and individuals have been destroyed by adultery. Obeying the instruction
of
God's Word will lead one to avoid this destruction. The future of an adulterous
life can be
anticipated. The text pictures the life of those who disregard their
teachers. Anyone
considering an affair can see the probable outcome in these verses. Wise
people can
learn from others’ observations and mistakes.
3. Be Wise About Sexual Purity . . Eliminate the Infatuation. 5:20-23,
6:23-24
Verse twenty asks “Why, my son, would you be infatuated with a forbidden
woman?”
(5:20) Obviously many have not seriously asked themselves that question.
Embracing
leads to entanglement that will entrap. The way to stop this scenario remains
as
always, obedience to the word and ways of God. The text plainly says
“a
commandment is a lamp, teaching is a light, and corrective instructions
are the way to
life.”(6:23) The text calls one who follows lust rather than the
commands of God
“stupid.”
4. Be Wise About Sexual Purity . . Eliminate the Disgrace.
6:27-29, 32-34
Jimmy Swaggert and Jim Bakker were disgraced nationally because of their
adulterous
affairs. The text questions the wisdom of one who commits adultery,
and promises
punishment. Disgrace could be eliminated through a proper questioning combined
with
the making of wise choices directed by the Lord. Adultery represents
a decision of one
who did not use wisdom in his/her decision. This action could be
quelled if one asks
the Lord for guidance and heeds His commands. Wisdom for our sexual
practices is
available. Let's seek to Be Wise About Sexual Purity. Amen?
Amen!