Between The Lines

Love you all, praying for you,
 
I just love God’s Word.  It gives truth between the lines.  Proverbs 20:1 – Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.  Is this verse about wine and beer? Or is this also about mocking and brawling and being led astray into them?   Mocking God is foolish, allowing sin in your life, or speaking perversely – any word that would delay instant and complete obedience. Mocking God is foolish - whether you drink wine or not.  Mocking others – slander, saying things that lessen another’s reputation – is violating God’s Word.  God said, "Do not slander one another…" James 4:11. God said “Say nothing harmful…" Psalms 34:13-14.  This is the fear of the LORD.  God said, “Who are you to judge another man’s servant..."  Romans 14:4.  Mocking Others is foolish.  Don’t fail to speak up when sin or injustice is encroaching or presenting, but do not judge or malign others, and say nothing that would lessen their reputation.  That’s mocking, slander – it’s evil, whether you drink wine or not.  Brawling – what makes you fight and argue?  If not beer, what is your excuse?  What is the environment that has you arguing and disputing and fighting?  Stop drinking it.  Do not be unwise, do not let foolishness define you, because it comes with fruit that you do not want.  Stay away from wine, and beer.  Leave that for those who are perishing (Proverbs 31:6).  And stay away from the wine and beer that makes you slander or fight, or delay obedience.  Identify those wines and beers (situations, habits, environments, media inputs, maybe relationships) and leave them behind forever.   Anything that makes you mock or brawl, take offense easily, leave it behind.  Even the simple neglect of thanksgiving and praise, could foster a sharp tongue, or soon irritation, or impatience, that results in quarreling or disputing.  Leave neglect behind, be diligent to praise…  Set your mind on things above.  Leave wine and beer for those who are perishing.  That’s not you.  He’s healing and establishing you – in His Word and His Way, His Presence.  Ask God if there is any wine or beer in your life that you are unaware of… things that lead to mocking or brawling, and move on from them.  Leave them behind.  Let God establish you in righteousness, so His blessing surrounds you.  Leave wine and beer for those who are perishing. 
 
Love you all,
dad