How does Proverbs 23:29 describe the consequences of excessive drinking? Setting the Scene Many of us have watched someone spiral under the influence of too much alcohol—or maybe we’ve felt its sting ourselves. Proverbs 23:29 puts that painful picture into words, showing the high price of lingering over drink. Reading the Verse “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has red eyes?” (Proverbs 23:29) Six Painful Consequences Solomon fires off six rapid-fire questions to reveal what excessive drinking leaves behind: • Woe – a heavy sense of misery and despair. • Sorrow – lingering sadness that won’t lift in the morning. • Conflicts – fights, arguments, and broken relationships. • Complaints – constant grumbling, dissatisfaction, and drama. • Wounds without cause – injuries that never needed to happen, physical or emotional. • Red eyes – the visible, bodily toll: sleeplessness, fatigue, and poor health. Connecting the Dots to Real Life When the bottle rules, these consequences show up repeatedly: – Emotional turmoil (woe, sorrow) steals joy. – Relational fallout (conflicts, complaints) divides families and friendships. – Physical harm (wounds, red eyes) weakens the body and invites regret. Each category echoes the others, painting a full-color warning sign: “This road ends in pain.” Reinforcement from the Rest of Scripture • Proverbs 20:1 – “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” • Proverbs 23:31-32 – “Do not look on the wine when it is red… In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper.” • Isaiah 5:11 – “Woe to those who rise early to pursue strong drink…” • Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” God’s Word is consistent: what starts as a pleasurable sip can become a painful snare. Invitation to Wisdom Proverbs doesn’t shame us; it shepherds us. By spotlighting the ugly aftermath of drunkenness, it gently steers us toward wisdom, self-control, and the better, Spirit-filled life that never leaves us with woe, sorrow, or needless wounds. |
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