PROVERBS 20:1
"Wine produces MOCKERS; alcohol leads to BRAWLS. Those lead astray by drink CAN NOT BE WISE!"
These are true statements. There is a question that needs to be asked. Does all wine produce mockers? Does all alcohol lead to brawls? At what point are people lead astray by drink? Did the Lord Jesus Christ drink wine? When the Lord made the wine out of water for the wedding party was He contradicting the proverb? It would seem that there is no question that Jesus imbibed wine and was chastised for it. There is no question that Jesus made wine out of water for a wedding party and it was the best they had ever tasted. This implies that Jesus is not anti-alcohol. What is it then that He would be adverse to? What is the danger that we must learn?
Too much wine produces mockers and they exhibit other bad behavior when they drink in excess. Strong drink, such as high content alcohol, in other than minor quantities, will lead to bad behavior including brawling. Alcohol impairs the mind and reduces our normal inhibitions, when it is consumed in even moderate amounts. Now comes the important concept in this proverb. Those who are lead astray by drink can not be wise. To be lead astray implies a habit or continuous bad habit that means using wine or alcohol in excess. The symptoms and the reactions are obvious to anyone that has an addiction to alcohol.
Does this mean that if we have a toast with wine at a wedding that we are mockers, brawlers or unwise? It would appear that is not an issue. Does Paul suggest the use of wine for a problem stomach? It would appear that sometimes alcohol in small amounts is productive and useful. What is the problem then? Some can be lead astray and become unwise from the use of wine and alcohol and it can lead them into all kinds of trouble. So in some believers minds if a person never has one drink they can not be lead astray. In the case of problem drinkers, even one drink can take them back into degradation. So what are we to do? Respect each view and decision and allow the use of wine and alcohol for those who choose to use them in moderation. To protect against alcohols abuse, teach what the potential problems are and respect its non use. Pray that God will make you wise about this!
