Topical Bible: Drunkenness: Leads to Scorning

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Drunkenness, a state of intoxication resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol, is frequently addressed in the Bible as a behavior that leads to various forms of moral and social decay. One of the significant consequences of drunkenness highlighted in Scripture is its tendency to lead to scorning and mockery.

The Book of Proverbs, known for its wisdom literature, provides a vivid depiction of the effects of wine and strong drink. Proverbs 20:1 states, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." This verse underscores the deceptive nature of alcohol, which can lead individuals to mockery and foolishness. The term "mocker" suggests that wine can cause a person to become scornful, ridiculing others and behaving in a manner that is both disrespectful and irreverent.

Further emphasizing the dangers of drunkenness, Proverbs 23:29-35 paints a detailed picture of the woes associated with excessive drinking: "Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has needless wounds? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, those who go to taste mixed drinks." The passage continues to describe the hallucinations and instability that accompany drunkenness, leading to a state where the individual is mocked by their own actions and becomes a source of scorn to others.

The New Testament also addresses the issue of drunkenness and its association with scornful behavior. In Ephesians 5:18 , the Apostle Paul admonishes believers, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Here, Paul contrasts the reckless and scornful behavior that results from drunkenness with the righteous and edifying conduct that comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit.

The narrative of Noah in Genesis 9:20-27 provides a historical account of how drunkenness can lead to scorn and shame. After the flood, Noah became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. His son Ham saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers, leading to a curse upon Ham's descendants. This account illustrates how drunkenness can result in a loss of dignity and respect, leading to scorn and familial discord.

In the prophetic literature, Isaiah 28:7 warns of the leaders who are led astray by wine: "These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble in judgment and are rendered incapable of making sound decisions." This passage highlights how drunkenness can lead to scornful behavior, even among those in positions of authority, resulting in poor judgment and a loss of credibility.

Throughout Scripture, drunkenness is consistently portrayed as a vice that leads to scorn, both from others and towards others. It is depicted as a behavior that undermines wisdom, dignity, and respect, leading individuals away from the righteous path and into a state of mockery and derision.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 7:5
In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews.
... disciples, [2541]494; in babyhood, [2542]ib.; from scorning, [2543]493 ... Drunkenness,
sin of, [2755]490. ... 3081]464; we must hinder in friends what leads to, [3082 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the epistle to.htm

The Fourth Book
... that we act wisely in scorning God, and ... litigation, slander and rapine, with drunkenness
and gorging ... indecent, whatever is unworthy, whatever leads to injury ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fourth book.htm

Rom. Iv. 23
... shade our highest conceptions, and leads the very ... of thy unformed judgment (atelhous
gnomes), drunkenness, and incurable ... gotten this love, but scorning them all ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily ix rom iv 23.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... Friend, thy way leads 'down to death,' and thy 'steps ... And the scorners delight in
their scorning? ... most of their time in lusts, drunkenness, wantonness, idleness ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

The Holy War,
... fear of retribution"Swearing, Whoring, Fury, Stand-to-lies, Drunkenness, and Cheating. ...
some domestic; and reports Are thereof made, as fancy leads the writers ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm