DRUNKENNESS
I. Drunkenness is forbidden by God.
Proverbs 23:20; Luke 21:34; Romans 13:13-14; Ephesians 5:18
A. The Levitical priesthood was not allowed to drink wine.
Leviticus 10:9; Ezekiel 44:21
B. In Paul's list of qualifications for eldership are included the words "sober"
and "not given to wine."
1 Timothy 3:2-3; Titus 1:7
II. Drunkenness has been a problem (in many cases even among the people of God)
since the days of Noah.
A. In the Old Testament.
Isaiah 56:13; Joel 3:3; Micah 2:11; Nahum 1:10
1. Noah. Genesis 9:21, 24
2. Lot. Genesis 19:31-36
3. Nabal. 1 Samuel 25:36-38
4. Uriah. 2 Samuel 11:1-17
5. Amnon. 2 Samuel 13:28
6. Elah. 1 Kings 16:9
7. Ben-hadad. 1 Kings 20:16, 12
8. Belshazzar and his princes, wives, and concubines. Daniel 5:1-6
B. In the early church.
1 Corinthians 5:11, 13
1 Thessalonians 5:7-8
III. Is excessive drinking a sin? Why?
A. It harms the body.
Genesis 49:12; Proverbs 23:29-30, 35; Isaiah 28:7
Hosea 7:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
B. It produces bondage in the life of the one it has ensnared.
Isaiah 5:11 ("till wine inflame (pursue, Lit.) them")
Isaiah 28:1 ("overcome" = Lit., "smitten")
Luke 21:34 ("overcharged" = "weighed down" or "overpowered")
1. It is addicting.
Proverbs 23:35
2. It deceives (Proverbs 20:1; 23:31-34) and "destroys the heart (or, under
standing)" (Hosea 4:11).
C. It springs from a heart of rebellion
Deuteronomy 21:20
D. It influences and affects others.
1. It is a stumblingblock and bad example to those around us.
Habakkuk 2:15-16; Romans 14:21
2. It stirs up strife and causes trouble.
Proverbs 23:29-30
E. The effects of strong drink upon those who use it are extremely harmful.
2 Samuel 11:1-17
Proverbs 23:32
1. Spiritually and morally.
Genesis 19:31-36; Proverbs 23:31-33; 31:4-5; Isaiah 28:7-8
Habakkuk 2:15-16, 5
2. Physically.
Genesis 49:12; 1 Samuel 25:36-38; Proverbs 23:29-30, 35
Isaiah 19:14; 28:7; Hosea 7:5
3. Emotionally.
Proverbs 23:29-30, 35 (it dulls the senses)
4. Financially.
Proverbs 21:17; 23:21
F. Scripture says that drunkenness is just cause for excommunication from the church.
1 Corinthians 5:11, 13
G. God speaks a clear sound of warning against drunkards.
Isaiah 5:11, 22; 28;1 ("Woe unto them ... ")
Luke 21:34 ("Take heed ... " Beware!)
H. Scripture refers to drinking as one of the "works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:19-21)
and "lusts of the flesh" (Romans 13:13-14).
I. Jesus, Hannah, and the apostles were falsely accused of being "drunkards" (Matthew
11:19; 1 Samuel 1:12-16; Acts 2:13-15) as if it were an evil thing – which proves that it is.
J. The punishment for "partying" will be severe.
Isaiah 22:13-14
1. In the Old Testament, drunkenness was considered worthy of death.
Deuteronomy 21:20-21
2. The New Testament says that those who indulge in strong drink will not inherit
the kingdom.
Luke 12:45-46 (Matthew 24:48-51); 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19, 21
K. Newly saved individuals are expected to put aside the drunkenness of their past life.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Peter 4:3-4
IV. Wine in itself is not evil; but it is the drinking of it in excess (1 Peter 4:3) that displeases God.
A. The Bible speaks of temperance in such matters.
1 Corinthians 9:25
B. The Greek word for "wine" in 1 Peter 4:3 comes from the root oinos; it is also
used in Luke 1:15; 1 Timothy 5:23; John 2:3, 9, 10, etc.
C. Paul advised Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach problem.
1 Timothy 5:23
D. John the Baptist, who had taken the vows of a Nazarite (see Numbers 6:2-3;
Judges 13:4, 7, 14; Luke 1:15), never drank wine or strong drink (liquor). But Jesus
was accused falsely of drunkenness simply for associating with those who did.
Matthew 11:19
E. Jesus Himself attended a marriage feast in which wine was being served. And it
was there that He performed His first miracle: that of changing water into wine.
John chapter 2
V. This sin is not unforgivable.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
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