The Big Idea of this study is that wisdom demands that we be very cautious regarding consuming alcoholic beverages.

When I lived in dorms at University I chose not to drink beer with my friends.  When they asked why I would say:  “If ten passenger jets fell from the sky every year and killed everyone on board, you would think twice before boarding a plane.” The abuse of alcohol has even more devastating effects.  According to the World Health Organization, alcohol abuse is the number one killer in the world: more than war, more than cancer, and certainly more than the current Covid epidemic.  Yet very little is ever reported about this silent epidemic.

The Bible perceives wine as a blessing from the Lord (i.e. Prov. 3:9-10; Psalm 104:14-15). Jesus turned water into wine for his first miracle. But it also warns of its misuse and danger.  Proof that any good gift from the Lord can be abused and end up causing great harm.

Our Proverb this week is a warning about drunkenness and the abuse of alcohol. “It bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.”  The abuse of alcohol is a worship disorder.  It is an attempt to find something only the Lord can supply.  Peace, security, joy, etc. cannot be found at the bottom of a bottle but only in worshipping our creator. Be very careful then about your reason for consuming alcohol, if you do.  If you can’t find these things without a drink, you are in danger.

According to Stats Canada almost 20% of Canadians have a drinking problem in that they are drinking heavily; way over the limit of what is safe to drink.  This is concerning and affects people who are following Jesus. We have people in our congregation who have suffered greatly from alcohol abuse. The solution of course is to continue to come to Jesus.  There is no problem too great, no failure too terrible that He cannot resolve.

Questions for Discussion:

1.  This proverb is more than the two line classic bit of wisdom that we see in most of the Wisdom Literature, it is a lot longer.  Is that significant?

2.  Are you surprised by the extent of the harm due to alcohol abuse?  Why do you think this is underreported?

3.  Discuss the idea that God’s blessings can be abused.  Can you give other examples?

4.  Discuss the abuse of alcohol as a worship disorder. What is the cure?

5.  Part of the problem with alcohol addiction is that often people who are addicted don’t realize they are addicted.  How can we check to see that our use of alcohol is not problematic?  Have you had that conversation with yourself or others?