Drunkenness A Study in the Scriptures by Diane Dew

DRUNKENNESS

"Ye are the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness ... they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober ... Abstain from all appearance of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:5, 7-8, 22

I. Drunkenness is forbidden by God.

Proverbs 23:20; Luke 21:34; Romans 13:13-14; Ephesians 5:18

A. The Levitical priesthood was not allowed to drink wine.

Leviticus 10:9; Ezekiel 44:21

B. In Paul's list of qualifications for eldership are included the words "sober"
and "not given to wine."

1 Timothy 3:2-3; Titus 1:7

II. Drunkenness has been a problem (in many cases even among the people of God)
since the days of Noah.

A. In the Old Testament.

Isaiah 56:13; Joel 3:3; Micah 2:11; Nahum 1:10

   1.    Noah. Genesis 9:21, 24
   2.    Lot. Genesis 19:31-36
   3.    Nabal. 1 Samuel 25:36-38
4. Uriah. 2 Samuel 11:1-17
5. Amnon. 2 Samuel 13:28
6. Elah. 1 Kings 16:9
7. Ben-hadad. 1 Kings 20:16, 12
8. Belshazzar and his princes, wives, and concubines. Daniel 5:1-6

B. In the early church.

1 Corinthians 5:11, 13
1 Thessalonians 5:7-8

III. Is excessive drinking a sin? Why?

A. It harms the body.

Genesis 49:12; Proverbs 23:29-30, 35; Isaiah 28:7
Hosea 7:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

B. It produces bondage in the life of the one it has ensnared.

Isaiah 5:11 ("till wine inflame (pursue, Lit.) them")
Isaiah 28:1 ("overcome" = Lit., "smitten")
Luke 21:34 ("overcharged" = "weighed down" or "overpowered")

1. It is addicting.

Proverbs 23:35

2. It deceives (Proverbs 20:1; 23:31-34) and "destroys the heart (or, under
standing)" (Hosea 4:11).

C. It springs from a heart of rebellion

Deuteronomy 21:20

D. It influences and affects others.

1. It is a stumblingblock and bad example to those around us.

Habakkuk 2:15-16; Romans 14:21

2. It stirs up strife and causes trouble.

Proverbs 23:29-30

E. The effects of strong drink upon those who use it are extremely harmful.

2 Samuel 11:1-17
Proverbs 23:32

1. Spiritually and morally.

Genesis 19:31-36; Proverbs 23:31-33; 31:4-5; Isaiah 28:7-8
Habakkuk 2:15-16, 5

2. Physically.

Genesis 49:12; 1 Samuel 25:36-38; Proverbs 23:29-30, 35
Isaiah 19:14; 28:7; Hosea 7:5

3. Emotionally.

Proverbs 23:29-30, 35 (it dulls the senses)

4. Financially.

Proverbs 21:17; 23:21

F. Scripture says that drunkenness is just cause for excommunication from the church.

1 Corinthians 5:11, 13

G. God speaks a clear sound of warning against drunkards.

Isaiah 5:11, 22; 28;1 ("Woe unto them ... ")
Luke 21:34 ("Take heed ... " Beware!)

H. Scripture refers to drinking as one of the "works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:19-21)
and "lusts of the flesh" (Romans 13:13-14).

I. Jesus, Hannah, and the apostles were falsely accused of being "drunkards" (Matthew
11:19; 1 Samuel 1:12-16; Acts 2:13-15) as if it were an evil thing – which proves that it is.

J. The punishment for "partying" will be severe.

Isaiah 22:13-14

1. In the Old Testament, drunkenness was considered worthy of death.

Deuteronomy 21:20-21

2. The New Testament says that those who indulge in strong drink will not inherit
the kingdom.

Luke 12:45-46 (Matthew 24:48-51); 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19, 21

K. Newly saved individuals are expected to put aside the drunkenness of their past life.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Peter 4:3-4

IV. Wine in itself is not evil; but it is the drinking of it in excess (1 Peter 4:3) that displeases God.

A. The Bible speaks of temperance in such matters.

1 Corinthians 9:25

B. The Greek word for "wine" in 1 Peter 4:3 comes from the root oinos; it is also
used in Luke 1:15; 1 Timothy 5:23; John 2:3, 9, 10, etc.

C. Paul advised Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach problem.

1 Timothy 5:23

D. John the Baptist, who had taken the vows of a Nazarite (see Numbers 6:2-3;
Judges 13:4, 7, 14; Luke 1:15), never drank wine or strong drink (liquor). But Jesus
was accused falsely of drunkenness simply for associating with those who did.

Matthew 11:19

E. Jesus Himself attended a marriage feast in which wine was being served. And it
was there that He performed His first miracle: that of changing water into wine.

John chapter 2

V. This sin is not unforgivable.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

TEEN DRINKING STATISTICS

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