In Proverbs, chapter twenty-three, verses twenty-nine through thirty-five, begins with, “Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? The verse contains the first instruction in God’s progressive revelation, advising all God’s people to abstain from drinking wine or any other alcohol. This passage explicitly warns about the dangers of alcohol and its corrupting influence.
In verse thirty-one, the scripture strongly warns of the danger of wine when fermented. Continued use of fermented wine can be as poisonous as a snake or serpent and cause harm. This metaphor indicates that the effects of alcohol can be demonic and destructive, resulting in physical ailments, blurred vision, a confused mind, twisted judgment, and a loose tongue. Consuming even one alcoholic drink leads to some impairment of a person’s motor skills and ability to make sound judgments. Continued use opens one’s life to intoxication and addiction with all their harmful consequences physically, socially, spiritually, and morally.
In verse thirty-five, “They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.” This passage describes the addictive effects of fermented wine. Too often, the one who drinks will seek more until they can no longer control their drinking. The only way to be sure you will not end up this way is to avoid all intoxicating beverages. Beware of those who contend that drinking such beverages with self-control and moderation is without danger.
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise,” as in Proverbs twenty, verse one. Isaiah five, verse twenty-two, declares, “Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink.”