The Mocker and the Brawler

For Friday, January 12, 2006
Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

The drinker takes on the personality of what he drinks. He becomes silly, turns foolish, and loses all sense of control so that he becomes a brawler. Many drink because alcohol releases natural inhibition. The shy person becomes extroverted. But he also loses control of his commonsense. He may feel unhibited, but in truth the alcohol controls him. He cannot make his own decisions.

For many alcohol gives them a mean personality. They easily take offense when others do not see how wonderful their lack of inhibition makes them. They are surprised to find others taking offense when they mock people. Can't everyone see how witty they are? Can't everyone take in the fun?

The drinker certainly is not wise while intoxicated, but his real lack of wisdom lies in not seeing that he cannot control his drinking. Scripture does not condemn the enjoyment of wine; but it does warn of the danger of intoxication. The immediate danger is turning over control of one's own personality. The long range danger is losing control when one is sober. The drinker cannot stop his drinking. He cannot handle reality while sober. He cannot even recognize that he is an alcoholic.

Wine is a mocker and strong drink a brawler, and their primary victim is the one who delights in them.