“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?” – Proverbs 23:29-35
Over the past two weeks, you’ve been introduced to addictions and the body and spirit connection they have in Part 1 and Part 2. Lord willing, you’ve also gleaned biblical truth and guidance regarding remedies God gives to help you deal with them in your own life, or to help others. In Part 3 of this series, I want to focus more specifically on a very common addiction- drugs and alcohol. Don’t be deceived, significant struggles with drugs and alcohol aren’t just “out there” in the world problems. No, they’re also very much of “in here” within the broad church problems as well. The prevalence isn’t only among members in congregations, but also sadly among leaders in the church. In fact, many pastors face much temptation and give in to let the bottle and other substances be a close and closer “friend” and “physician” as they walk through the various strains and pains of life and ministry.
Considering these things, there is all the more reason then to shine the light of Christ on the matter and seek to help those who struggle and are in this pit of voluntary bondage. Why? Because alcohol and its compadres are counterfeits to Christ. They satisfy deeper idols in the heart. They woo you to run to and worship them, rather than flee to Jesus in your pain to find your true Savior and friend (John 15:15), your Great Physician who binds your deepest wounds and heals you (Mark 2:17), who alone is worthy of all your worship (Revelation 4:11). Whether you experience physical body aches and pains, spiritual pain, or all of the above, instead of seeking Christ, waiting on Him, trusting Him in your time of need, it can be so easy to give in to cravings to calm your worries and fears, to have instant relief on command by grabbing a bottle or popping pills into your mouth and medicating yourself.
What are some of the causes that lead people to self-medicate? In addition to the pain I’ve already mentioned, you can add shame, anger, loneliness, hopelessness, a chaotic home environment and abuse, parent’s drug/alcohol use and attitude toward using, peer pressure, etc. to the list. In the moment, the pill bottle or liquor bottle serves your purpose and meets your “needs”. And yet, each time you frequently go back to it you are becoming more and more a slave to it. Your tolerance is building up. You’re becoming more dependent. You need more beer, more liquor longer to have the same effect that you used to have with less- and the deadly cycle continues to spiral.
This is the picture of drunkenness and the solemn warning Solomon laid out for his son in Proverbs 23, isn’t it? Take note of the truth in the questions Solomon begins with in verse 29. Though woes, sorrow, contention, complaints, wounds without cause (the fruit of lust), and redness of eyes (due to inflammation) aren’t part of the alcohol sales pitch up front, all of them are the dark and tragic products of those who “linger long at the wine”. Indeed, the swirl of the wine in the glass, the bouquet, the taste are all so on point. It’s so smooth going down until its serpentine bite is experienced and you’re toast. You’ve become numb, removed from reality, saying and doing things that you ought not and are no longer in control of yourself. All you can think of is when you can get your next drink. This kind of frequently repeated practice over time can lead to serious consequences of heavy drinking:
- From a spiritual and relational perspective, never forget that drunkenness and substance abuse is sin. It’s never Ok for Christians to willingly visit its den and dive into its trap. (Luke 21:34) Why? Drunkenness is disobedient and dishonoring to God. It dishonors God who gave wine to be enjoyed and helpful, not to be abused. It leads to a poor witness of Christ and His church. In addition, heavy drinking is on the path of destruction that leads to death, tragically quite literally sometimes. Heavy drinking involves inebriation that can easily lead to rage and violence, even in the home against both spouse and children. Jobs are frequently lost. Crimes are more frequently committed under the influence. Relationships with friends and brothers and sisters in the church can also be destroyed. (Proverbs 20:1)
- Secondly, I’m no doctor, but having worked as a therapist in an Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Program in a hospital in the past, I helped a lot of people recover from alcohol and drug addictions, some of whom needed medical detox from heavy use of multiple drugs at the same time, and others serious medical care due to their drinking causing late stage liver disease, called cirrhosis of the liver, along with severe damage to their esophagus among other serious physical consequences.
It goes without saying that alcohol and drug addictions are dangerous and often complex beasts to slay and recover from. Knowing this, you may wonder, “Pastor, how can I navigate through struggles in my own life biblically?” or “How can I help those I know who struggle with alcohol use?” Beloved, though the paths and remedies in recovery will be very similar in biblical principle from person to person, the application in the details will differ based on their particular struggle.
- Be Sober and Watchful- With the deceiving, minimizing, and rationalizing temptations in drug and alcohol addiction, God calls you to pray for grace to be humble, alert, watchful, and discerning. These are essential undergirding pieces of progress in recovery for both the person in recovery and those helping them. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
- Healthy and Firm Boundaries- Setting and maintaining guardrails (Proverbs 4:23) that protect and redirect those in recovery to stay away from access to their drug(s) of choice is important. Know that those boundaries will be tested and challenged. You become skilled at giving the gift of- “No. We’re not doing that here.” Good boundaries are also helpful in coping with cues and triggers that tempt them to use (i.e. smells, tastes, sounds, textures, people/places/settings that they associate with using).
- Abstinence and Moderation- Abstinence from the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of prescription medication is mandatory all the time. Moderation and self control is the right practice otherwise. Yes, it’s Ok for Christians to have a drink or smoke a cigar or pipe in moderation. If one is dependent on such things, if they can’t function without them, it is good and right for them to decrease the frequency and amount of their use to a level of moderation. If they aren’t able to do this on their own, or with support, abstaining for a time, or going “cold turkey” to break the addiction, deal with the issues in the heart, and guard themselves from relapse is appropriate. As I mentioned last week, pastoral and professional help is often needed, especially with severe dependence. Your elders may come and give shepherding care. You can also seek us out if you or someone else is in need. We’re here to help!
- What does Scripture says about moderation with alcohol? Though not exhaustive, consider four passages:
- God gave wine to make the heart glad. Psalm 104:15 “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the service of man, that he may bring forth food from the earth, and wine that makes glad the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengthens man’s heart.”
- The Apostle Paul gives this command in Ephesians 5:18 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”
- Balance this with Jesus not abstaining from drinking. Matthew 11:19 “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
- Paul also exhorted Timothy regarding the proper use of wine for his health, correcting the prohibition of the false teachers in Ephesus, in 1 Timothy 5:23 “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.”
I pray that this devotion gives you some good food for thought and adds some tools in your toolbox.