Proverbs 23:29-30
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
The abuse of alcohol is clearly not a new problem. These verses reveal a deep understanding of a challenge which continues to test our modern world. It is amazing to see these proverbs written so long ago addressing the issue with such power.
Some people might think of the writer of Proverbs as a killjoy, but his purpose was exactly the opposite. His intention was to kill misery, because he could see that alcohol could so easily ruin people’s lives. In the following verses he talks about how wine can, when drunk to excess, bite like a poisonous snake. He mocked the sheer stupidity of drinking to excess. It makes the drinker look crazy and causes nothing but brokenness and sadness.
The writer has a list of things which need to be avoided at all costs: overeating, idleness, prostitutes, arrogance and bad company, as well as drinking to excess. He isn’t willing to negotiate. This might sound harsh, but when we recognise that these are words of wisdom, and that they come from the heart of a God who loves us, we can follow them in the knowledge that they will be a blessing not only to us but to all those around us as well.
Question
What could you do to help those in your area who have a problem with alcohol?
Prayer
Lord God, I pray for those who are struggling with alcohol abuse in my own community. Please show me ways in which I could be a blessing to them. Amen

Released on 2 Nov 2026