Wise Stance on Substance!

Pitfalls of Substance Abuse

INTRO: As early as Genesis 9 we see the potential issues with becoming intoxicated with Alcohol. (Noah and his nakedness) Genesis 19 Lot is so drunk his daughters are able to get pregnant by having sex with their own father.

Early on we see the prescription for those serving God. Numbers 6:3-5 Nazarite vow was to dedicate himself to the Lord and to drink no wine or strong drink, no vinegar or grape juice, even the skin, “All the days of his separation.” Leviticus 10:9-10 Priests were told to drink no wine or strong drink when they went into the tent of meeting or they would die.

NOTE: Alcohol has the potential to dull the senses which can potentially give way to evil acts.

However to demand that Christians should not drink alcohol you would have to explain John 2 when Jesus turned water into really good wine for people and when Paul tells Timothy 1 Timothy 5:23 to take a little wine for his stomach and frequent ailments.

Psalm 104:15 “. . . wine which makes man’s heart glad, so that he may make his face glisten with oil, and food which sustains mans heart.”

So you could say that “anything that dulls the senses and is depended on apart from Christ is unwise.”

Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.”

ILLUST: The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him. Proverbs 31:4-7 “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. v.6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to him whose life is bitter. Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more.”

NOTE: Dr prescribed drugs may be helpful in situations. Illegal or medicinal drugs may be helpful for some peoples issues, however the addiction potential and the dependency problem is HIGH in all! Not to mention skiin rash, diareah, nausea, vomiting, liver damage, bleeding, suicidal thoughts, stroke, feelings of depression, blurred vision, . . .

Humans were created to depend on Christ not substances. So If alcohol is not for kings than it surely is not wise for God’s royal priesthood which is who we are. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Substance use can’t be wise for moms and dads that want to lead their home and children well. It’s not for children who want to honor their parents and have success in life. Ephesians 6:1-4

NOTE: The dulling of the senses and potential dependency of substances is subtle.

2. Proverbs 23:2-4 “And put a knife to your throat if you are a person of great appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for it is deceptive food. Do not weary yourself to gain wealth; stop dwelling on it.

These verse are relating our appetite for food in a way that can lead to the idolatry of status and wealth. Wanting to live like the Cardashyans.

My experience at TOP GOLF?

Proverbs 23:20-21 “Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine or with gluttonous eaters of meat; For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness with clothe one with rags.

Even the smallest amount of dulling of our senses can make us less sharp and attentive to the leading of God’s Spirit in our lives.

The question when approaching any substance that can dull our senses is What am I allowing to control me?

Who’s in Control?

1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

Ephesians 5:15-18 “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:16-24 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: Immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Closing: I have mentioned this before but too much and too processed of food is something I am finding can dull my senses. Dr. are beginning to treat diabetes, cancer, brain fog, gut issues, with “Fasting”. Mental clarity goes off the charts when you fast. Bottom line, Any substance that positions me to love something more than God, to trust in something more than I trust God is not a wise way to live! Greater the potential for pain and suffering are those substances that can actually alter our state of mind and body. And none of it will produce THE GOOD LIFE!

So take a wise stance on Substance and don’t be mastered by anything. Instead lets allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives. Ask The Lord to Crucify our flesh. That is when we can finally say,

“I have a GOOD LIFE.”