Proverbs 23:31-35 – Why stay sober?

Proverbs 23:29-30 describe the sorry state drunkenness can put a person into. And the Bible tells us not to be drunk with wine which is debauchery. So, in verses 31-35 we see an admonition why we should turn away from binging on alcohol. Like all temptations, the eye is always the first gate the enticement begins. Hence, in verse 31 the teacher warns us not to be led astray by the attractiveness of wine. The bright sparkling colour of the wine may be appealing and the taste may be as smooth as silk as it cascades down one’s throat. But alas, the effect can be devastating when one is unwittingly baited and begins to guzzle it uncontrollably. Verse 32 talks about the effect of excessive alcohol. It is as bad as being bitten by a viper, a poisonous snake.

In Proverbs 23:33-35, we see the elaboration of the effect of over-indulgence with wine. Firstly, it will distort one’s perception. A drunkard will begin to see strange things that are not even there. Secondly, it causes one to speak perversely and uncontrollably. That’s because his mind will be so overtaken and his ideas will be all jumbo-mumbo, confused and distorted. Unable to have a hold of his thoughts, a drunkard will utter uncontrollably things he will not usually say when he is in full possession of his mind and senses.

Thirdly, verse 34 portrays a drunkard’s incapacity to balance himself. He feels as if he is lying in the midst of a tossing sea and will even become oblivious to the surrounding. And fourthly in that drunken state, he becomes unconscious of the presence of dangers.  And his inebriated condition will cause him to attempt risky endeavors that are not only hazardous but also perilous. Fifthly, verse 35 tells us that a drunkard will feel the terrible impact of his hangover. When a drunkard awakes from his drunken stupor, he may see the inflicted wounds and feel the pain, but he will have no idea of what had caused them. And when he is overtaken by the habit of drinking, he will lose total control of good sense. Shrugging off all the needless pain inflicted by his drunkenness, his senseless habit will cause him to go for yet another drink.  

These verses constitute a call to remain sober minded. Sobriety is the opposite of being intoxicated. It adds value to life. It gives us hope and helps us to think straight. It also provides for us a peace of mind and assists us in building self-esteem and respect.  On top of all these, sobriety also promotes the cultivation of a good conscience, and imbues in us self-confidence. No wonder the Word of God urges us to stay sober. We should not be intoxicated by wine but we must also not be intoxicated by the problems of life and work. We must stay sober and watchful for the purpose of prayer.