Need a Buzz?

Today while in a bit of devotional time I came across something unrelated to what I was studying yet its meaning close to my heart.

Isaiah 5:22 (NIV)
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks

Wow, that brings me back. Back to high school and the parties that followed through the years and well into adulthood. Some of the things that made us cool turned out to be a real detriment, and I really thought nothing of it.

Since pot and other drugs weren't around back in times when the bible was written I apply verses that talk about being sober to not only alcohol but to drugs as well, because they are all mind altering in various levels. It seems that it's ok for a person to take a sip or have an alcoholic beverage for the taste of it, with out getting buzzed or drunk. However I've never met a person who took a hit of pot with out the intention of getting stoned, I think that same train of thought can be applied to all narcotics. And there lies the problems, so often these things aren't being done to fix an allergy, cure a sickness, or some other true medical purpose; they're being consumed for the purpose of fun, relaxation, or addiction, all while clouding judgment which is separate from God and His teachings. This loss of judgment or loss of control is what the word is teaching against, not against relaxation or fun.

I keep a list of verses that talk about being sober and the consequences that follow those who don't heed His warning. I use them to remind myself and anyone else who needs the help fighting drugs and drinking because they are so powerful. I wasn't aware of the verse above till today and thought it might be time to spotlight all of the verses relating to being sober again.

Luke 21:33-36 (NASV)
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Romans 13:13-14 (NASV)
Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Romans 14:21 (NIV)
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Galatians 5:19-26 (NASV)
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Ephesians 5:15-19 (NASV)
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 (NASV)
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

2 Timothy 4:5 (NASV)
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Titus 2:1-8 (NIV)
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Titus 2:11-15 (NIV)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

1 Peter 1:13-16 (NASV)
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

1 Peter 4:3 (NKJV)
For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

1 Peter 4:7-9 (NIV)
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 Peter 5:8 (NASV)
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.