Genesis 9:20-27 NIV
“Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked. When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, he said, “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.” He also said, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem. May God extend Japheth’s territory; may Japheth live in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be the slave of Japheth.”
INSIGHT
-Alcohol abuse or alcohol use disorder involves a pattern of alcohol use that typically includes craving and manifestations of tolerance and/or withdrawal along with adverse psychosocial consequences. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are common but less rigorously defined terms applied to people with problems related to alcohol. The law of first mentions points us to Noah in the Bible who planted vineyards after the flood. One day when he got drunk and lay naked, his youngest son Ham saw him naked and told his brothers about it. Japheth and Shem showed respect to their dad and covered him without looking. When Ham was cursed, Shem and Japheth were blessed. Alcoholism has diverse effects to the users. Some become addicted gradually, they engage in illicit behavior, and others become sick leading to depression and eventually death. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit Who is in us, so we should honor God with our bodies and take care. Further, that Christ purchased us at a price and our bodies belong to Him.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus our God and our Friend we thank You and praise You. Thank You for Your finished work on the cross that You sacrificed Your life for the sake of our salvation. What greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend. Thank You Jesus for loving us and for Your unending grace upon us. May You forgive us all our trespasses and wash us with Your precious blood. May You remove all accusations against us in the court of heaven our Righteous Judge. May You remember all those who are addicted to alcohol and drugs, that You may deliver them. May Your hand of mercy heal all those who are affected by various kinds of addictions. May You merciful Savior heal all those who are sick and suffering. May You guide our government and all leaders in Your divine wisdom. May You go ahead of us this entire week and guide us through precious Holy Spirit. Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. Amen
Further reading: Galatians 5:19-21
Proverbs 31:3-7 NIV
“Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.”
INSIGHT
-Parental counsel is given to Lemuel regarding distractions that cause destruction to mostly; the young men. The name Lemuel means ‘belonging to God’. Her mother who is considered wise and virtuous as described in this Proverb, denoted that untamed appetites for alcohol and women never end well. She describes alcohol as a tool that enables one to forget decrees of mostly God and the land, and causes a leader to oppress the poor. Further that alcohol does not belong to kings but it is for those who are perishing that they may forget their misery. One of the main effects of alcohol is that it impairs one’s judgment therefore we are called to be alert and sober minded for our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
PRAYER
Almighty Father, we come before Your throne of mercy this day. We thank You for all the blessings and wonderful counsel You have given us. Truly You have been a good Father to us. We humbly ask that You may forgive us of all our trespasses and cleanse us from all iniquity by Your precious blood Lord Jesus Christ. Father we commit all those who are struggling with drugs and substance abuse and addiction. Father may You deliver all of them and visit them in a mighty way. May You quench their thirst from all alcohol and drug addiction. We cast all our cares, worries and anxieties unto You dear Jesus for You care for us. We pray that Your wisdom shall prevail upon us that You may give us wisdom on how to deal with all issues and matters. We commit our leaders, the whole society and nation unto You. May You guide us our leaders and teach them Your ways. May You fill us with Your divine wisdom precious Holy Spirit. We surrender all unto You trusting and knowing that You are a faithful God. We pray this in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
Further reading: Revelation 5:10
John 2:1-11 NKJV
“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
INSIGHT
-Several misconceptions have been sighted regarding this miracle where Jesus turned water into wine. This has been a justification of sorts why people should indulge in alcoholism. In the Bible, there is no mention of grape juice which in this context is termed as good wine. After grapes are harvested from the vines, the juice is extracted and after three days it ferments and becomes wine. Jewish weddings according to their culture take a week, and according to the scripture Jesus attended the wedding on the third day and they had ran out of wine. Jesus performed the miracle and turned water into good wine, which astonished the guests since it was rare for such wine to be served after the third day.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus we humble ourselves before You. May we decrease as You increase dear Jesus. You are the Vine and we are Your branches, may You help us to abide in You so that we may bear much fruit. We submit our hearts unto You, that You fill us with Your wisdom and abundant grace. May You teach us to apply Your divine knowledge and understanding. We love You Lord and exult You name, teach us to do Your will. May You protect our children as they go back to school and grant them excellence in their studies. May You help all the street children that You may make a way for them to study, gain meaningful employment and get out of the streets. May You hear our prayers, requests and answer our hearts desires dear Jesus. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Further reading: Job 32:19, Joel 3:18
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
INSIGHT
-Among many other evils, drunkenness has been classified under unrighteousness by the Word of God. These evil become barriers to inheritance of the kingdom of God which does not come with observation but it is within us (Luke 17:21). Righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe (Romans 3:22). Faith and works marry and enable us to be effective in the kingdom of God. Abraham never questioned God when he was given instructions, first to move from his home country to a place he did not know, and also to go and sacrifice his son Isaac. God calls us to apply works to our faith by obeying His will. When we engage in these activities including drunkenness we miss the opportunity to experience and inherit the kingdom of God. Once we have faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and receive Him, we are marked for salvation and we are set apart for the Kingdom of God as His beloved children. We then experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, who guides us in His purpose and will.
PRAYER
The kingdom of God does not comprise of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. May You fill us with Your righteousness, peace and joy precious Holy Spirit. May You fill us with Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control, that we may seek Your righteous path and abstain from drunkenness and other cancerous sins that pull us back. May You fill us with Your wisdom to overcome all unrighteousness and walk in Your way of truth. May You bless all our youth and teach them to do Your will. May You guide all our leaders, in the church, corporate world and government that they may listen to Your voice and follow You. We acknowledge that only You are God and none be compared to You. May You increase our faith dear Jesus and enable to inherit Your kingdom together with our loved ones. All glory, honor, power and strength belongs to You dear Jesus now and forever. Amen
Further reading: Galatians 5:21-22, Ephesians 5:17-18
Romans 13:11-14 NKJV
“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
INSIGHT
-Some among us have deliberately chosen to stop taking alcohol but the decision was short lived. They only stopped for a few months and went back gradually. Sometimes it is due to peer pressure, stress and troubles of life. Our Christian life should be guided by the Spirit and not by the flesh, for the flesh wars against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, and a person ends up doing what they do not wish. We are called to walk in the Spirit and we shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17). Alcohol abuse contributes majorly to time and resource mis-management. When we avoid going to places that sell alcohol and the bad company that corrupts our good conduct, we will able to walk victoriously as we put on the armor of light in the Spirit, by the grace of God.
SUMMARY
In the recent times, studies have revealed a growing trend of alcohol abuse among the younger generation which has serious consequences. Availability and availability of alcohol is becoming a popular trend especially in learning institutions. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol abuse happens when a person develops a pattern of drinking that causes harm to their health, to their interpersonal relationships, or to their ability to work or study. Alcohol abuse leads to addiction when moderation is not exercised. Biblical reference expressly disqualified the use of alcohol and related substances. Ephesians 5:18 says, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” When one gets drunk with alcohol they are not able to effectively pray and worship the Lord, drawing them further from God. James 4:8 tells us that, “draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” It is vital to seek the Lord faithfully even when we are faced by stressful life issues instead of relying on the bottle. Proverbs 31:6-7 states, “Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of heart. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.” Alcohol may also lead to physical and spiritual death. 1 Kings 16:8-10 narrates the tale of Elah king of Israel who got drunk and was killed by sword by his army commander Zimri, and ruled in his place. 1 Corinthians 6:10 reveals the spiritual death that comes with alcohol abuse indicating that drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God. Let us therefore abide by the Vine who is Christ, and He will fill us with new wine as we experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
PRAYER
You have called us to be holy Lord Jesus because You are Holy. May You make us holy in Your holy presence. Anoint us afresh precious Holy Spirit and renew our minds that we may realize Your good, acceptable and perfect will. May You forgive us for the times we have gotten drunk with wine together with our children, family members and friends, that You may make us new. May You deliver all those who are addicted to alcohol and drugs and give them a new and proper way of life, reliant on You alone Jesus. You are the way, the truth and the life dear Jesus, and no one come to the Father except through You. May You allow all those who have been imprisoned by the enemy to look to You in every area of their lives. May You help us to put on Your armor of light that we may walk properly in wisdom redeeming time. Amen
Further reading: Romans 12:1-2