“Sobriety is characterized by self-control, seriousness, and sound moral judgment…To be sober is to be in one’s right mind” (Holman Bible Dictionary, 2001, p. 1288). I looked up some statistics on alcoholism and found that in America today about 17.6 million people are addicted to the ravages of strong drink. A long time ago the writer of Proverbs recognized and wrote about the evil effects of alcohol: “Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” In that same chapter of Proverbs, a young man was commended for his strength, and the elderly held in honor for their “gray hair.” But the ravages of strong drink negate these qualities. The road to alcoholism begins with a first drink. Maybe it is on a dare, because friends are drinking. Perhaps the first taste of alcohol (or drugs) leads at first to a feeling of euphoria, and the user wants to repeat the sensation, which leads to habitual use. Little do they recognize the hold that alcohol (and, yes, addictive drugs as well) takes on the mind. A little research on alcohol use and health reveals multiple ills that occur because of repeated alcohol use. Among the first is the addiction itself—a feeling of need that is brought on by the lack of the stimulant. Physically, continued use can lead to diseases of the body such as arthritis, heart disease, hyper- and hypoglycemia, kidney and liver diseases, malnutrition and disorders of the nervous system. Psychologically, continued alcohol use leads to depression, insomnia and anxiety. Alarmingly, alcohol destroys brain cells. Who among us does not need all the brain cells we possess? Brain lesions, in turn, affect cognition, bring on hallucinations and delusions. And, if alcohol is used by women, especially before and during pregnancy, it causes fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a condition affecting the unborn which can be a life-long plague to an innocent child. Often, unfortunately, alcoholism is in a family’s history; the tendency toward it genetically transferred. In addition to the terrible addiction, it can bring suffering because of financial difficulties—money spent on a bad habit that could well be spent on support of family and needful charitable causes. Is it any wonder then that the writer of Proverbs stated “Wine is a mocker”?
Paul in his day recognized that wine could become a problem for Christians to whom he wrote. He encouraged them to refrain from strong drink “inwhich is dissipation.” The alternative is to be “filled with the Spirit.” Where the Spirit of the Lord dwells, there is no room for the “dissipation” and evils of alcohol and drugs. I do not want to come through as a “goody-two-shoes,” but for me, the decision to abstain from strong drink was made early in my life. I had opportunity to see what strong drink could do in that some persons in our larger family group (uncles) were addicted to alcohol. Observing the misery, shame and deprivation, as well as their own dissipation, were enough to steer me away from that first drink which I feared might start me down a dark road of no-return. The fact that I became a Christian early in life also was my stronghold and bulwark against wrong choices, as to drink. I wanted sincerely to do what was pleasing to the Lord. Sobriety in body and mind is possible. First, a right choice, to say “no” to strong drink and drugs, and mean it; and then to hold to a continuing desire to follow the path of the Lord, for it is right and good. Prayer: God grant that we be sober—in body and in mind.
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