“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the nations do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.” [1]
Futile thoughts, darkened understandings, separated from God, hardened hearts, insensitive, etcetera. Don’t live this way! Jesus died on the cross to deliver us FROM sin. He did not die on the cross to deliver us TO sin. What’s more, Jesus has given us His Spirit.
“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” [2]
Indulging in wine, gorging oneself with meat, and excessive sleep are ways to cope with the pain and unhappiness in this world, but these methods only send one’s life into a tailspin downward.
“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways, for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.” [3]
The Lord urges His sons to give their hearts to Him. Fix your eyes on Jesus! The evil one wants to use the lure of sexual pleasure to destroy God’s sons. The sexual pleasure coping mechanism turns out to be a robber. It sets a man’s trajectory on a path of unfaithful behavior.
“Who is woeful? Who is sorrowful? Who is striving? Who is complaining? Who is needlessly receiving a bruising? Whose eyes are bloodshot? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. ‘They hit me,’ you will say, ‘but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?’” [4]
Alcoholism is very hard to escape. The alcohol snake bite causes quarrels, tears, bodily wounds, confusion of mind, numbness, and enslavement to a life of misery.
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” [5]
The Lord urges us to be filled with His Spirit. Holy Spirit comfort! Holy Spirit power!
[1] Ephesians 4:17-19
[2] Proverbs 23:20-21
[3] Proverbs 23:26-28
[4] Proverbs 23:29-35
[5] Ephesians 5:18
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