The Strand Study Bible

PROVERBS

978

PROVERBS

Ephesians 5:18 is all about drinking alcohol in “moderation.” It is not. According to Scripture: * Alcohol leads to foolishness (Prov 20:1) It mocks a man, steals his dignity, and takes control of his will. * Alcohol leads to famine (Prov 23:21) It robs a man of his appetite, his duty to his family, and to paying his bills. * Alcohol leads to failing health (Prov 23:29) It confuses a man’s thinking, slurs his speech, impairs his vision, memory, and judgment, and destroys his liver, heart, and kidneys.* Alcohol leads to fornication (Prov 23:33) It dulls his reasoning, thereby, suppressing his conscience. * In the end, alcohol leads to fixation (Prov 23:35) It causes a man to vomit (Isa 19:14) and his head and body to throb with pain, yet he seeks to drink the poison again and again. Sadly, alcohol, the licensed robber, emerges to be the only enemy man has succeeded in embracing ( Acts 2:15 , Eph 5:18 a and Prov 23:31,34 & 31:6 ). Shakespeare once warned: O God! That men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains… 1 THE ADAGE IS TRUE: Why would a man become fond of a foe that’s only going to fool (deceive) him? 20:3 The “honorable” thing to do is to resolve conflict, not stir it up. NOTE – There is one of five ways that people normally deal with conflict: 1. They strive to win the conflict (Prov 25:8-9 and Lk 12:58-59) 2. They give in to the conflict (Prov 27:5-6 & 28:23) 3. They quit and withdraw from the conflict (Prov 26:24-26) 4. They compromise (Prov 17:8) 5. They determine to resolve the conflict (Prov 20:3). The following is the biblical way to resolve conflict: *First, define the conflict in a biblical light (Prov 18:18). Allow God’s Word (the lot) to determine the severity of the conflict in the light of Scripture. *Second, never allow the conflict to become contentious (Prov 15:1,18 & 25:15). Self-restraint and gentle speech are very effective tools against stubborn opposition. *Third, avoid being cynical during the conflict (Prov 17:14). Stay away from making sarcastic statements. *Fourth, avoid bringing up the past (Prov 17:9 & 19:11 and Phil 3:13) *Last, determine you are going to esteem the other person better than yourself (Phil 2:3 and Rom 12:10)

1 Shakespeare, William. Othello . II.III.293. Print.