Against Evil Men – Part 1

September 10, 2026August 20, 2026 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 24:1-2 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

This proverb continues one of the major themes found throughout the book of Proverbs: do not envy the apparent success of the wicked, nor be drawn into their company. Evil people may seem to prosper, enjoy wealth, influence, or pleasure, but their success is temporary, and their end is destruction. The wise person evaluates life from God’s perspective rather than by outward appearances.

Scripture gives two commands: Do not envy evil men. Do not desire their companionship. Both commands deal with the condition of the heart. Envy often begins by admiring what the wicked possess, and admiration can soon lead to imitation. What starts as coveting their lifestyle may eventually result in adopting their values and joining in their sinful practices.

‘Be not thou envious against evil men.’ Envy is more than simply wanting what someone else has. It is a resentful desire for another person’s position, possessions, success, influence, or apparent happiness.

The wicked often appear to prosper because they gain wealth dishonestly, ignore moral boundaries, exploit others, or pursue pleasure without restraint. To be continued…

Thine Eyes… and Thine Heart – Part 4

September 9, 2026August 20, 2026 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:33-35 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Proverbs 23:29-35 is far more than a warning against drinking. It is a vivid illustration of how temptation works. Sin first appears attractive, then becomes destructive, and finally seeks to enslave.

The chapter began with the appeal, “My son, give me thine heart” (v. 26). That is the true safeguard against every destructive appetite. A heart surrendered to God, guided by His wisdom, and filled with His Word is far less likely to be mastered by intoxicating influences.

The New Testament echoes this principle: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)

Rather than seeking escape, confidence, or comfort through alcohol or any other controlling influence, believers are called to find their satisfaction, strength, and joy in the Lord. Wisdom looks beyond the fleeting pleasure of sin to its ultimate end and chooses the path that leads to life, freedom, and fellowship with God.

Thine Eyes… and Thine Heart – Part 3

September 8, 2026August 20, 2026 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Addiction is not determined solely by how often a person uses a substance or engages in a behaviour, but by how much control that substance or behaviour has over them. A person can be addicted even if they drink, gamble, view pornography, or use drugs only once or twice a week if they feel compelled to do it, struggle to stop, continually make excuses for it, or repeatedly return to it despite harmful consequences.

An addiction develops when a person becomes dependent on something for pleasure, comfort, escape, stress relief, or emotional coping instead of relying on healthy solutions or, spiritually, on God. It gradually gains control over a person’s thoughts, desires, and choices.

From a biblical perspective, addiction is a form of bondage. Scripture teaches that believers are not to be mastered by anything other than God (1Corinthians 6:12). Anything that begins to control our behaviour, dominate our thinking, or replace our dependence on the Lord can become an idol and a form of slavery.

To be continued…

Thine Eyes… and Thine Heart – Part 2

September 7, 2026August 20, 2026 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

‘Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.’ Scripture now describes the physical instability caused by drunkenness. The drunkard feels like a man lying in the middle of a stormy sea, or attempting to sleep on the top of a ship’s mast. Both pictures portray dizziness, instability, danger, helplessness, and loss of control.

The drunkard becomes physically, mentally, and spiritually unstable. Life itself begins to resemble a ship tossed by violent waves.

‘They have stricken me… they have beaten me… I will seek it yet again.’ The passage ends with one of Scripture’s most tragic descriptions of addiction. The drunkard admits, “They beat me,” and “I felt it not.” Alcohol has dulled his senses so completely that he no longer recognises the seriousness of his condition. Yet the final words reveal the deepest tragedy: “I will seek it yet again.”

Despite pain, shame, injury, broken relationships, and repeated consequences, he returns to the very thing that destroyed him. This is the nature of addiction. The substance that promises freedom eventually becomes a master. The person who once chose to drink now feels compelled to drink.

To be continued…

Thine Eyes… and Thine Heart – Part 1

September 4, 2026August 20, 2026 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

‘Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.’ Alcohol affects both what a person desires and what a person says.

‘Thine eyes shall behold strange women.’ Here, the Hebrew word differs from verse 27 and refers to one who is outside the path of covenant faithfulness, an immoral or seductive woman. Drunkenness weakens moral restraint. Many sins that sober judgment would reject become acceptable to the intoxicated mind. This explains why Scripture repeatedly links drunkenness with sexual immorality.

‘Thine heart shall utter perverse things.’ The heart controls the mouth. When the mind is clouded by alcohol, hidden thoughts are often expressed openly. Speech becomes reckless, vulgar, deceitful, angry, boastful, or blasphemous. The tongue reveals the condition of the heart.

Sixteen characteristics of a wicked heart. The book of Proverbs describes the wicked heart as one that: Despises correction (5:12). Devises continual evil and sows discord (6:14). Imagines wicked schemes (6:18). Lusts after forbidden pleasures (6:25). Is subtle and deceptive (7:10). Is filled with deceit (12:20). Speaks foolishness (12:23). Is proud and arrogant (16:5; 21:4; 28:25). Becomes haughty (18:12). Blames God for its troubles (19:3). Speaks perversely (23:33). Plots harm against others (24:2). Rejoices when others fall (24:17). Conceals evil intentions beneath outward appearances (26:25). Grows increasingly hardened against God (28:14). Trusts in itself rather than in the Lord (28:26).

Alcohol does not create an evil heart, but it removes restraints and often exposes what lies within.

To be continued…

Like a Serpent – Part 2

September 3, 2026August 20, 2026 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:31-32 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

‘At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.’ The keywords are: “At the last.” Scripture asks us to judge alcohol not by its beginning but by its ending. The comparison to a serpent teaches several truths. A snake bite may appear suddenly, inject deadly poison, produce lasting injury, and sometimes lead to death.

Likewise, drunkenness slowly poisons judgment, health, relationships, character, and spiritual life. Pleasure or escape is temporary. The consequences endure.

Seven characteristics of drunkenness: [1] Intemperance (23:30-31). Self-control disappears. [2] Mental confusion and delirium (23:32). Judgment becomes impaired, and thinking becomes irrational. [3] Sexual immorality (23:33). Alcohol lowers moral restraint and often leads to impurity. [4] Foolish and perverse speech (23:33). Words become reckless and harmful. [5] Reeling and instability (23:34). The body loses coordination and balance. [6] Insensibility (23:35). Pain and danger are ignored or unnoticed. [7] Bondage. Instead of controlling alcohol, the drunkard becomes controlled by it.

Like a Serpent – Part 1

September 2, 2026August 20, 2026 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:31-32 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

‘Look not thou upon the wine when it is red…’ This verse moves from the consequences of drunkenness to the beginning of temptation. The command is striking: “Look not.” The warning is directed toward the attraction before the intoxication. The description portrays fermented wine sparkling in the cup, rich in colour, smooth to drink, and attractive to the eye.

Scripture recognises that temptation often begins with what appeals to the senses. Sin is rarely presented as ugly. It appears attractive, pleasurable, sophisticated, harmless, and enjoyable. Yet outward beauty often conceals inward destruction.

The wise person does not merely resist sin after becoming entangled; he avoids its attraction before it gains influence. This principle applies far beyond alcohol. Believers are called to avoid whatever entices the heart toward sin.

To be continued…

To Seek Mixed Wine – Part 3

September 1, 2026August 20, 2026 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Proverbs 23:29-30 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

‘They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.’ The answers to the questions are straightforward. The person experiencing these troubles is the one who lingers over wine and continually seeks a stronger drink. The problem is not merely tasting wine but remaining with it, making drinking a habit and pursuing intoxication.

‘Wine’ – the Hebrew word yayin is a general term used throughout the Old Testament for the juice of grapes and, depending on the context, can refer to either fermented or unfermented grape juice. In this passage, however, the context makes it clear that Solomon is speaking of intoxicating wine, as he describes drunkenness and its harmful effects.

‘Mixed wine’ was wine strengthened or enhanced with spices or other ingredients to increase its flavour or potency. The emphasis is upon deliberately seeking a stronger intoxicating drink. Instead of warning only against drunkenness, Scripture warns against pursuing the very thing that leads to it.

To Seek Mixed Wine – Part 2

August 31, 2026August 20, 2026 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Six curses of drunkenness: [1] Woe refers to deep distress, misery, and calamity. The drunkard often experiences broken relationships, financial hardship, poor decisions, loss of respect, and continual trouble. What begins as pleasure frequently ends in pain. [2] Sorrow – alcohol cannot permanently remove grief. Instead, it often creates greater sorrow through guilt, shame, broken families, poor health, and regret over sinful actions. Many drink to escape pain, yet alcohol often multiplies the very sorrows they seek to forget. [3] Contentions – drunkenness commonly produces arguments, violence, domestic conflict, broken friendships, and legal troubles. Alcohol weakens self-control and impairs sound judgment. [4] Babbling – the Hebrew idea includes foolish, senseless, or uncontrolled speech. The drunkard often says embarrassing things, is offensive, reveals hidden thoughts, or causes lasting damage. Scripture repeatedly teaches that a wise person exercises restraint in speech. [5] Wounds without cause – these are injuries received through reckless behaviour. The drunkard may awaken bruised or injured without remembering how it happened. Many accidents, assaults, and self-inflicted injuries result from impaired judgment. [6] Redness of eyes – red or bloodshot eyes become an outward sign of inward excess. What begins as a hidden indulgence eventually becomes visible to everyone. Sin rarely remains concealed forever.

To be continued…

To Seek Mixed Wine – Part 1

August 28, 2026July 27, 2026 ~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

The final section of Proverbs 23 contains one of the Bible’s clearest and most vivid warnings against drunkenness. Scripture does not merely forbid drinking; it describes its progression from temptation, to intoxication, to moral corruption, to addiction, and finally to self-destruction.

The passage unfolds like a series of scenes: The misery of the drunkard (vv. 29-30), the temptation of alcohol (v. 31), the consequences of drinking wine and stronger drinks (vv. 32-34), and the bondage of addiction (v. 35).

‘Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?’ These rhetorical questions invite the reader to consider the result of drinking. The drunkard often excuses his drinking as a means of escaping life’s pressures, relaxing after work, relieving emotional pain, or forgetting his troubles for a while. However, Scripture exposes these as false comforts. Alcohol may dull the senses for a short time, but it cannot remove the causes of sorrow or bring lasting peace. Instead, it often multiplies the very problems it promises to relieve, leading to grief, conflict, poor judgment, physical harm, and spiritual decline. Wisdom therefore teaches us to evaluate not the passing pleasure of indulgence, but its lasting consequences, for sin always promises more than it can deliver and ultimately leaves its victims worse than before.

To be continued…