Topical Bible: Drunkenness: Denunciations Against: Those Given To

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Drunkenness, as depicted in the Bible, is consistently portrayed as a vice that leads individuals away from righteousness and into a life of folly and sin. The Scriptures provide numerous warnings and denunciations against those who indulge in excessive drinking, highlighting the spiritual and moral dangers associated with such behavior.

Old Testament Warnings

The Old Testament contains several admonitions against drunkenness, emphasizing its destructive consequences. In Proverbs 20:1, the wise sayings of Solomon declare, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." This verse underscores the deceptive nature of alcohol, which can lead individuals into foolishness and conflict.

Further, in Proverbs 23:29-35, a vivid description of the effects of drunkenness is provided: "Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to taste mixed drinks." The passage continues to warn against the allure of wine, describing its eventual bite like a serpent and sting like an adder, leading to hallucinations and impaired judgment.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks against the excesses of alcohol, particularly among leaders and priests. Isaiah 5:11-12 states, "Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. They have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes and wine, but they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD, no respect for the work of his hands." This passage highlights the neglect of spiritual duties and the disregard for God's works that accompany a life given to drunkenness.

New Testament Admonitions

The New Testament continues the theme of warning against drunkenness, urging believers to live sober and self-controlled lives. In Ephesians 5:18, the Apostle Paul instructs, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Here, drunkenness is contrasted with being filled with the Holy Spirit, suggesting that a life led by the Spirit is incompatible with one given to excess.

In Galatians 5:19-21, drunkenness is listed among the "acts of the flesh," which are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit. Paul warns that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God," indicating the serious spiritual implications of a lifestyle characterized by drunkenness.

Additionally, in 1 Peter 4:3-4, believers are reminded of their past lives and urged to abandon former sinful behaviors, including drunkenness: "For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you."

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible's denunciations against drunkenness are rooted in the understanding that it leads to a loss of self-control, impairs judgment, and often results in further sinful behavior. Those given to drunkenness are warned of the spiritual dangers and the potential for estrangement from God. The call to sobriety is not merely a call to abstain from excess but an invitation to live a life that is pleasing to God, marked by wisdom, self-control, and spiritual awareness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 5:11,12
Woe to them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 28:1-3
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Necessity of Regeneration, Argued from the Immutable ...
... of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst ... in an unregenerate state, arm yourselves
against these terrors? ... of Mount Sinai; that these are denunciations of the ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse iv the necessity of.htm

"But Whereunto Shall I Liken this Generation?"
... with him to forsake his drunkenness, his swearing ... His threatenings and denunciations
of wrath are a small ... enmity, and handwriting of ordinances against you, but ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon x but whereunto shall.htm

The Two Effects of the Gospel
... shewing him merely the evils of drunkenness; nor did ... often prick them, and the stern
denunciations of a ... First, because men sin against greater light; and the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the two effects of the.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... more able to avoid the stroke, than were those eighteen upon ... which they always had
in readiness against such prophecies and denunciations of judgment ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

The Religious Revolution
... support lay in his exaggerated denunciations of real or ... League (1538) as a defence
against the Schmalkaldic ... alike slaves to avarice, drunkenness, gluttony, and ...
/.../chapter ii the religious revolution.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... in after life by swearing, cheating, drunkenness, hypocrisy, infidelity ... such as with
him conspired against their own ... by them, as also of those judgments that ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

The Greatness of the Soul,
... readers to the only name under heaven given among men ... the alarm, and plants his engines
against 'the eye as ... attempt to describe the torments of those who suffer ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the greatness of the soul.htm