Drunkenness
This word is almost always translated as “drunkenness.” Thayer’s Word Studies and Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words also tell us that the word refers to “intoxication.”
Many would like to claim that drinking intoxicating beverages is not wrong as long as you “don’t get drunk.” Some preachers and pastors also teach this and will use terms like “teetotaler” to bias their group against those who believe it is wrong.
Yet, the Bible condemns drunkenness and forbids the Christian from going to “drinking parties” (see 1 Peter 4:3). Throughout the Scriptures we are often told of the consequences intoxicating beverages have had upon people throughout history. It led to foolish words, sexual immorality, rape, incest, murder, addiction and a host of other sins. In real life, we can see these same results.
Proverbs 23:31-32 says, “Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.”
God’s advice is not “drink, but don’t get drunk.” It is “do not look on the wine.” In other words, don’t get as close as you can, but stay far away from it. Getting as close to drunkenness as possible is getting as close to hell as possible. After all, that’s where drunkenness leads us. Why risk it?
October 2007