Stephen Bennett gives us Part 4 - Drunkenness

Stephen Bennett

Drunkenness - a drugged, or deranged condition
The results from drinking alcohol which renders people incapable
A person that is habitually, or often drunk

Ecclesiastes 10:17 'Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes feast at the proper time - for strength and not for drunkenness'

It is clear when you study the Bible that getting tipsy, heady, drunk, or completely sloshed and smashed, is not a good thing at all. If this lifestyle is bog standard and continuous to your Christianity, there are serious consequences both physically and spiritually.

The world we live in is intoxicated. The Bible has much to say about the intoxication of drunkenness. Wine was a normal part of ancient Bible culture; it was a common drink and a basic trade commodity amongst the Palestine people - definitely alcoholic and intoxicating - not just grape juice! The laws of Moses allowed the use of wine; however, drunkenness was prohibited.

Indulging in the strong alcoholic spirits we have in these days cannot be justified anywhere in scripture. If we claim to know God then we must know what He thinks about these things. Even though the Lord gave humanity the wherewithal to make intoxicating drinks, He hates drunkenness. The reason - it can cut Him off from you, and allow the devil to come in and destroy your life.

There were major problems with drinking recorded throughout scripture that are just as common and far worse now - examples that hold wisdom for the Church in these end days. Drunkenness was very common in Jesus time as throughout history. When the disciples were full of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost people thought they were drunk, Peter said 'these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day' Acts 2:15. There are many examples drunkenness throughout scripture, the irony is, God created wine to make glad the heart of man (Psalm 104:15), but because of man's inherited sin from Adam, he always goes to excess. That's why we all needed Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit, so in our God given choices, we can be filled with God rather than the spirit of Alan Cohol - '.do not be drunk with wine' Ephesians 5:18.

All the prophets warned God's people of their excess when they allowed drinking to draw them away from the Lord. Ezekiel warned that 'you will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow when we forget the Lord' Ezekiel 23:33. Some leaders say God doesn't judge his people today, but does that mean we can do anything we want and just cruise on cheapened grace? It is clear from the word that our Father wants to pour his glory through us in these end-times because he is desperate that all mankind come to Him (Acts 15:17).

Isaiah prophesies the end-times, 'the earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away.the Joy of the harp ceases. They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink is bitter to those who drink it' Isaiah 24:8-9. In the impending judgements of the earth, when all things are worn out, the taste of alcohol will be bitter in the mouth of those who continue in it. Why bother getting out of it when there is such a great job to do in these days in serving the Lord, and being a part of His wonderful purposes in bringing the world to Him? What is the heart of the Lord for us in these days? The same as ever.

'And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell among them. I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Therefore having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord' 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, 7:1.

New Testament wisdom is to be separate from Drunkenness; this is the hard core truth.