My uncle got rich on it… he sold it to others. I lived with an alcoholic; therefore I am alarmed by those who try to convince me that there is nothing wrong with alcohol consumption. I have counseled couples who have abandoned the deep love they had for each other because they refused to abandon the bottled up poison. I have been threatened with guns, knives and even forks by some who threatened to beat me up, to pulverize me, along with many other instruments. All of those threats were taken over by our wonderful Lord… to HIM be the praise!
One of the thickest files in my file cabinet is that of Alcohol! After all, something that is referred to over 627 times in Scripture warrants many opinions. I have tried to be gracious in responding to the various arguments as to which word was used and how and why, but I have not always been as gracious as I should have been. I have even quoted my mother on occasion – “Empty kettles make a lot of noise!” Another of her favorites was: “If it is doubtful, it is dirty!”
I must inject a short note about my friend who ran a Mission for the needy. One day one of the men came running in and said: “There is a guy out there with a knife, and he has another guy trapped in the alley, and is threatening to kill him. Jack, a short chunky guy who probably could have rolled faster than running… bolted down the Alley, confronted the man and said: “In the Name of Jesus Christ, give me that knife!” In that moment the “drunk” turned and passed Jack the knife, who immediately said: “Thank you sir!” Looking up to Heaven and, just as quickly said: “And thank you Lord!”
Alcohol can make people attempt the most ridiculous things; the one sings and the other fights. In most cases they do not want to talk about it later. The Apostle said: “And do not be drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18-19).
This has been only two verses of Scripture, but there are hundreds more that show God’s displeasure.
-Ted
ETCetera 