S) "29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who linger long over wine,
Those who go to taste mixed wine."
Proverbs 23:29-30 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Proverbs 23
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Proverbs 23
O) The last passage of this chapter is about the dangers of drunkenness. Solomon starts with the observation, that these people (woeful, sorrowful, contentious, etc.) all have a common denominator. In the following verses, he paints a bleak picture of the extent of these dangers, but it's important to make a distinction about simply drinking wine, and "lingering" over it. Like many things in creation, wine can be a fine part of celebration (as with Jesus turning the water to wine), or have health benefits (like when Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine). But, the problem is when these creations are then idolized. When a person is seeking them out, to their detriment. When a person abuses something good, it can easily become quite bad.
A) Unfortunately, sometimes the only clear way to see when something has become a sinful habit, is in the aftermath of poor decisions. Thankfully, I've never struggled with the sin of drunkenness, specifically, but this passage teaches me an important lesson about sin and its effects. When I look at my life, and I see harmful effects in my life, I should be careful to trace them backwards to see if there is a sin in my life causing the harm. Maybe it's not the same wounds without (obvious) cause, or redness of eyes, but sin always takes its toll.
A) Unfortunately, sometimes the only clear way to see when something has become a sinful habit, is in the aftermath of poor decisions. Thankfully, I've never struggled with the sin of drunkenness, specifically, but this passage teaches me an important lesson about sin and its effects. When I look at my life, and I see harmful effects in my life, I should be careful to trace them backwards to see if there is a sin in my life causing the harm. Maybe it's not the same wounds without (obvious) cause, or redness of eyes, but sin always takes its toll.
P) Father, Your ways give life, peace, and joy. Sin leads to death. Thank You for redeeming me, freeing me from my bondage to sin. I confess that I am still prone to sin, though. I know that, like some kind of spiritual Stockholm Syndrome, I have a tendency to return to some sins that You already conquered for me. Open my eyes and ears, God, that I may know more clearly what harms I am suffering because I have been sinning, lingering over a sin. Cleanse my heart, Lord, and bring me into life more abundant. All of this to Your glory, God. In Jesus's name I pray, amen.
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