Just A Thought

You’ve heard the phrase, “They strain at a gnat and swallow a camel”? That is my reaction as I watch the outcry of some against eating meat, snacking on processed foods or drinking sodas. While I have no doubt that many foods and drinks can be harmful to us, I am shocked that these items cause such concern when obvious culprits such as casual sex, greed and alcohol are often given a pass.

Take alcohol, for example. It is a colossal killer of relationships, careers, people and joy. Many readers may be surprised at the number of times alcohol is mentioned in the Bible. The book of Proverbs says: “Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper. You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. And you will say, ‘They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?’ ” (Proverbs 23:29-35 NLT)
Lest someone consider this Biblical advice prudish or ultra-religious, consider some facts from www.alcohol-facts.net:

• “One quarter of all emergency room admissions, one-third of all suicides, and more than half of all homicides and incidents of domestic violence are alcohol related.
• Between 48 and 64 percent of people who die in fires have blood alcohol levels indicating intoxication.
• Alcohol is abused by some 14 million Americans and contributes to the deaths of 100,000 each year.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 65 percent of fatal drunk-driving deaths involve drivers whose blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .15 or higher.
• One thousand people die from alcohol overdoses each year. Many of them are young people who drank fast to show off for their friends.”

These statistics cannot begin to measure the enormous mental, emotional and physical abuse that is triggered by the use of alcohol. It stings like a viper and continues to poison many cultures throughout the world. The good news is that God is able to set people free from any kind of addiction. With your cooperation, he will cut the head off the snake. I have the privilege of pastoring quite a few people who used to be bound by alcohol. But, when they gave their lives to God, He was able to begin the ultimate counseling program and they now live alcohol-free lives. I have also seen God help many families who were the victimized by others whose lives were bound by alcohol. What a big difference God has made in their lives!
I’m all for eating healthy, but I would encourage people not to miss the vipers as they swat at the gnats. True Christianity is not just about do’s and don’ts or saying prayers and going to church. True Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus Christ that results in a life of freedom and joy; a life of emotional and spiritual health. Imagine a snake-free life.