Arkansas State press., 1947-08-15
by WILLIAM CULBEcTsON, D. D.
OF The Moody Bible Institute, Chic ago.

THE increase in the drinking
4 habits Of our nation is source
of concern. not only to the forces of
morality. but to the liquor interests
themselves. How strange 1t Is to
have the purveyors of commodity
rye moderation In its use!
Undoubtedly the Bibles answer
- this whole problem Is the only
right one. The Word Of God has
many strong things 10 say con-
corning alcoholic beverages. Wise
h the man who hceds the injunc-
items Of Scripture.
!. Liquors. Description prov.
0:D.
WHAT q striking text this isl
w Think Of its implications.
s'Wine Is q mocker." 1t grasps its
victim In q vicelike grip. and then
taunts him In his inability to release
himself. The drunkard is q. victim
e his own appetite. helpless to re-
sist the temptation which ensnares
him.
The young person who takes his
1Fst drink for sociability 10 indeed
deceived, IN that alcoholic liquor
sever reveals the possible cost
Which II exacts from the one who
takes that Arst drink. The better
part Of vslor ID 10 leave the stun
alene.
The Word Of God says further
chat strong drink 10 q brawler"
A.S.vJ. All Of VI have probably
seen how the drunkard enters into
conflict entirely without reason. Ii.
Nuor seems to make a man sense
less to danger and quick to express
anger.
n. Liquer-a Warning (Prov. %:
1o-2l).
THE admonition Of this passage
= ID that we should not be found
amons drunkards and sluttonous
0en.
Solomon here tells US Of one Of the
Sosults Of drunkenness and gluttony
poverty. The drowsiness which Is
tlhe result Of both Of these sins does
indeed clothe q man with rags.
n, therefore, We have NO higher
meuve than that Of self-respect,
than that Of having enough OF this
worlds goods 10 make q present
able appearance. we should avoid
company with those who will lead
10 into the same excess that char
scterixes them. How important II
n that we guide our hearts In
Gods way.
Let us understand. of course. that
there are far higher motives for
right living than those involved
here. However, II We can come 10
the conclusion TO avoid drinking on
the basis Of a lower motive. how
much more importan, II Is to come
70 the same conclusion on the basis
Of higher one. As Christians. that
higher motive concerns our test.
mouy before men, our living a life
that will cause others TO want TO
know Christ; In short, our living for
the glory OF God.
Ill. Liquors. History prov. %:
1855; Eccles. l0:lD.
IN THE Hrst Of these Scripture
passages we have what may be
called a history Of drunkenness.
This sin leads to woe. 10 sorrow. TO
contentious. to wounds without a
cause.
But that is not the end. Look care.
fully a, Proverbs 1882 and stress
the first three words. al the last. /"
Al the last. II does indeed bite like
. serpent and sting like an adder.
Such poison Is injected into
ones body and soul that II seems
as though there Is no remedy.
Thank God, there Is a remedy:
there Is power In the blood Of
Christ 10 make the fOulcst clean.
In verses 80 70 IS we read some
OF the results Of drunkenness: Be
holding Of strange things ". 33).
utteranee Of perverse things ". 33J,
hsensibility which is the result Of
drinking ". $50. and inability TO
avoid succumbing to the same
temptation all over again ". s5,.
Il to