Page26 number of whom it must necessarily ruin body , soul and spirit . For the state to receive money from such a source is highly reprehensible . Make no mistake about it , Satan ‟ s snare purposes the youth to enter enchanted ground . Prestige , confidence , adulthood and the chance of relaxed morals are presented in glowing charms throughout the media . Friends are enlisted as the devil ‟ s enticers , cleverly deployed to increase alcohol ‟ s dependency ranks . Governments who once shunned alcoholic beverages for the well being of their citizenry now encourage its widespread use , counting upon liquor continuance to solidify the tax base . Liquor manufacturers sponsor the most charitable organizations and sporting events , rising to prominence as society ‟ s most outstanding citizens .
TEMPERANCE
“ The fruit of the Spirit is temperance … Add to your faith temperance … Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things .” [ Gal 5:22,23 ; 2 Pet 1:5-7 ; 1 Cor 9:25 ] All intoxicating drinks are deceptive . They seem to promote happiness , but cause the greatest unhappiness and misery . To intemperance may be attributed much of the world ‟ s sorrow . Temperance Societies , once a harbinger against alcohol ‟ s ruin of society , are a distant memory . To find an abstainer , one looks to the Christian church for hope . Even the conservative Amish drink brandy , and the Hutterites are busy making wine . Many Christians see nothing wrong with drinking in moderation . “ One of the subtlest effects of this many-sided drug is to produce a craving for itself , while weakening the will that could resist that craving .” [ Dr . Williams , Alcohol , p . 48 , 1930 ' s ] “ All unnatural excitants are harmful , and they cultivate the desire for liquor . The food is often such as to excite a desire for stimulating drinks . Luxurious dishes are placed on the table - spiced foods , rich gravies , cakes and pastries . This highly seasoned food irritates the stomach , and causes a craving for still stronger stimulants . Tobacco weakens the brain and paralyzes its fine sensibilities . Its use excites a thirst for strong drink , and in very many cases lays the foundation for the liquor habit .”
[ Ministry Of Healing ]
How can the user of alcoholic beverages give to God an undivided heart ? It is impossible . Neither can he love his neighbor as himself , for this darling indulgence engrosses all his affections . The one , who voluntarily places his lips to the draught debases himself below the level of a brute beast , a sad commentary on the man who was made in the image of God . Moderate drinking is the school in which men are receiving an education for the drunkard ‟ s career . Satan keeps the mind in a fever of unrest , and the poor victim , imagining himself perfectly secure , goes on and on , until every barrier is broken down , every principle sacrificed . The strongest resolutions are undermined , and eternal interests are too weak to keep the debased appetite under the control of reason . Some are never really drunk , but are always under the influence of intoxicants . They are not really delirious , but as truly imbalanced , as the nobler powers of the mind are perverted . So gradually does Satan lead away from the strongholds of temperance , so insidiously do wine and cider exert their influence upon the taste that the highway to drunkenness is entered upon unsuspectingly . It is a hard matter to overcome and chain a full-grown lion .
The saintly Daniel purposed in his heart not to drink the King ‟ s portion of wine , [ Dan 1:5,8,16 ] The children sing , “ Dare to be like Daniel .” Oh , if men would stand up and follow the temperance example set forth by their Lord and his noble men . The world is addicted to pain killers on all sides , with alcohol being chief . However , the true Christian walks in the footsteps of Jesus and believes in His promise , “ My grace is sufficient for thee .” [ 2 Cor 12:9 ]