January 30: Avoid alcohol and drug abuse

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Most of us are not turned on by numbers and statistics, but even a brief overview of the devastation brought on by beverage alcohol is, well, sobering. Researchers estimate the costs to our economy resulting from accidents, health problems, crime, and lost productivity at more that 167 billion annually. An article in Reader’s Digest, (Jan. 2004, p. 43) states that in 1991, drunk drivers killed over 5,000 innocent people, almost double the number killed in the 9/11 attack. In families alcohol abuse figures into 70 percent of all child abuse and neglect cases. More teenagers use alcohol than use all other illicit drugs combined.

• We take our stand against beverage alcohol because of its seductions (Prov. 20:1). The Book of Proverbs pictures wine as a seductive woman enticing gullible men to her way of life. In actuality, the pleasure she promises is a mockery as she scorns those foolish enough to believe her. The end product shows a drunkard making an uproar over nothing.

The “strong drink” refers to wine that has not been diluted with water. The yeast on the skin of a grape will convert the sugar into alcohol until the alcohol kills the yeast, at which time the mixture gets to about 12 percent alcohol. Fermentation stops. However, we should not confuse the process of fermentation with that of distillation, a process not discovered until about 1,000 A.D. That process produces pure alcohol, that is, 200 proof. In other words, the “strong drink” of Bible times bears no resemblance to today’s drinks fortified with distilled alcohol.

• Because of an alcoholic beverage’s impact on the brain and nervous system, it inevitably produces sorrows (23:20-21, 29-33). The Bible begins its indictment of those who indulge in beverage alcohol by describing their life style. They seek out the places which specialize in selling it. The patrons gather to gorge themselves on food and beverages (v. 20), sold out to satisfying sensual desires. Tarrying long in drinking, their physical and mental faculties deteriorate, prohibiting honest labor. The downward spiral leaves them poverty-stricken. The so-called “man of distinction” promised in advertisements finally reaps what he has sown.

The person caught in the grip of alcohol is set apart by woe, sorrows, conflicts, wounds and red eyes. Succumbing to the beauty of an enticing cup of drink, they have learned that it eventually bites like a serpent. Plagued by hallucinations and wild talking, they play out what’s left of their days as skid-row victims.

• Christians, in contrast with the drunkards, strive not to become stumbling blocks (Rom. 14:19-21). The debated issue at the church in Rome related to buying meat for consumption which may have been dedicated to idols. Some weaker members (v. 2) felt they were especially dedicated if they abstained from eating such meat. Since idols are not living gods, meat dedicated to them amounted to nothing, except in the minds of the purchasers. Yet, believers who understood that truth were not to look down on the weaker Christians whose consciences would be violated by eating the meat. Believers should state their views (v. 1), but not let the dispute disrupt the fellowship (v. 20).

• Finally, alcohol takes the form of substitution (Eph. 5:15- 18). Satan, ever on the alert in his role of the deceiver, convinces some people that a drug-induced euphoria is a spiritual experience. People who follow that style of life are fools (v. 15). Instead, believers walk the Spirit-filled life, “getting high” on Jesus, the provider of the abundant life (John 10:10).