What do You See?

Prov. 20: 1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler; and whoever is led astray by it is not wise

The party had been fun until now, but things changed. Maurice was telling jokes and all of them were “below the belt”. Some of the guys were laughing, but some seemed uncomfortable. Kim was deeply embarrassed at some of the things her husband was saying. “Maurice”, she spoke to him quietly, “it’s getting late. Let’s go home”. “No”, he replied, “the fun is just beginning”. “Maurice, please”, she whispered urgently, “we need to go home. You’re disgracing yourself and your family”. “Woman’ leave me alone”, he shouted, “Have some respect. I am not your child. I am your husband”. Kim wished she could sink into the ground as everybody turned to look at her. How could Maurice embarrass her like that? But she knew why. Maurice was drunk.

Usually a quiet, reserved guy and a loving, respectful husband, Maurice’s personality and his behaviour changed when he had a few drinks. Kim complained in tears to her brother, but he simply said “Don’t get so upset. It’s the holiday season and a man needs to enjoy himself a little. Nothing wrong with that”. Not true, Brother. Something is definitely wrong with that.

Alcohol affects the chemistry of the brain, interfering with a person’s perception. It makes the user see things that are not real. I once heard of a man who said he stopped drinking after he drove to the entrance of the old Rio Grande bridge one night and saw three bridges instead of one! More often however, the problem is not so much with what you see with your eyes but what you see with your mind – you know, like when you say “Oh, I see!” Alcohol makes you think you are being smart when you are acting silly; it makes you see your friends as enemies; it makes you see yourself a need to be aggressive to others. What you see is not real. Alcohol deceives you.

When you think that we will have to account in the judgement for everything we do, it makes sense that we keep our minds clear, so that we will see things clearly and make the right choices.

Dear Lord, please make me wise, so that I might avoid those things which make me easily deceived I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.