By Carol R. Lumpkin
I feel certain, that each of us have heard it stated many times, “Drunkenness is a disease.” Those who are drunkards surely need help; not only because of a physical problem, but most of all because of a spiritual problem. The Bible labels this problem “a work of the flesh” (Gal. 5:19-21).
Paul, writing to the church at Corinth, said, “Drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:10). If drunkenness is a disease, then so is adultery, so is effeminancy, so is homosexuality, so is extortion, so is theft, etc. Paul places all of these in the same context and category (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Paul does not label the above mentioned works of the flesh as diseases, but calls them works of the flesh which will keep the guilty out of the kingdom of God.
The state of California in 1981 spent thousands of dollars in an attempt to destroy the “Medfly.” A large percent of the fruit grown is used to produce alcohol-related drinks. Factories are licensed to manufacture alcohol related drinks which are both harmful to the body and to the souls of people.
The National Government, and on down to the smallest element of government, either has not realized the deadly effect which alcohol (whiskey, beer, wine, etc.) leads to or they careless as to what the results are. It is a proven fact attested by police records, child abuse, car wrecks, murders, divorce records, etc., that alcohol is one of man’s worst enemies.
Consider the broken homes which could be saved, lives which are caught away in death, hours lost from jobs, etc., if alcohol was totally blotted off the earth. But more importantly, souls which could be saved. I doubt that a hog would drink the filthy junk, much less a person who is wise and understanding.
The drunkard is a sinner before God. People in position to enact laws to license its manufacture and sale will answer to God for their part in making it available to a gullible public.
Whenever there is an outbreak of a dreaded disease, the medical profession will combine their knowledge and wisdom to treat the afflicted and search for the source that it might be stamped out. God bless all such efforts.
Alcohol is deadly to those who drink it, as well as to many innocent people who are caught up in its web. There should be a concerted drive to destroy all substances which leads to drunkenness. Why don’t men and women with wisdom and power enact laws which would forbid the manufacture and sell of alcohol which destroys bodies and is sinful to all users?
Some people would argue that a large sum of tax money would be lost. Others would say, we cannot do away with all those jobs. It is a proven fact that more money is spent to police alcohol-related matters than is ever received from its tax revenue.
No non-drinker ever got drunk. No drunkard can be saved, unless he stops (repents) drinking and obeys the gospel of Jesus Christ. We people who believe it is sinful to drink alcohol related drinks should do all within our power to destroy it.
“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22). Drunkenness is sinful, evil, and will keep the guilty out of the kingdom of heaven.
Guardian of Truth XXVII: 12, p. 363
June 16, 1983