An alcoholic

I was so intrigued by the Proverbs 23:29-35 description of one consumed and ruled by alcohol, but I wasn't completely sure what it all meant so I looked to John MacArthur's commentary*. The text in red describes the italicized verse(s) that follows.

This is a riddle:
29 Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
This is the answer:
30 Those who linger long at the wine,
Those who go in search of mixed wine.
This is when it's most intoxicating:
31 Do not look on the wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly;
This is the hangover:
32 At the last it bites like a serpent,
And stings like a viper.
This is the delusion experienced when drunk:
33 Your eyes will see strange things,
And your heart will utter perverse things.
34 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:
35 “They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.
This is the alcoholics waking thought:
When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”
Proverbs 23:29-35 (NKJV)

* MacArthur, John (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible, New King James version.
     Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN.

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Please join us this week as we pray for those with a drinking problem. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Pray for those who drink

     It's difficult dealing with a loved one who drinks too much. I don't know at what point they go from "drinking too much" to "alcoholic" but it doesn't really matter because both need help. If it's someone you're really close to, you feel hurt, frustrated, angry toward the person for putting you through this and resentment that they won't get help. A lot of the time, they maybe won't even be willing to admit that they need help, and those that do aren't "ready" to do anything about it because deep down, they don't want to quit.
     It's the Spirit fighting the flesh. Our sinful human hearts want the things we want, but deep down, we know it's wrong.
     The Bible often lists drunkenness right up there with idolatry, stealing, and adultery:

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV

     Let's pray for the people who we know have a drinking problem that they may seek help. If you don't know anyone who drinks, then please pray for those within the church who have a problem, maybe that they will even seek you out and ask for help.

*****

Please join us this week as we pray for those who are alcoholics. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power