Introduction. Stay away from trouble by leaving strong drink alone. Drunkenness is a state of being that simply doesn’t fit with a Christ-centered lifestyle. Ironic, but I’m starting to write my 15th book. Its title, The Alcohol Trap. Another irony is that in some parts of the US and elsewhere, the consumption of alcoholic beverages by Seventh-day Adventists is becoming more and more common. Our standards haven’t changed, but our behavior is too often taking its own course. What should we do about this?

Image © Darrel Tank from GoodSalt.com

[Thought questions for Women and Wine March 24, 2015]

1. Advice from Lemuel’s mother. Lemuel’s mother (Proverbs 31:6-7) doesn’t seem too worried about how alcohol will affect a sick person. What does she say about giving alcohol to such a person? To a person who is depressed? Are you ready to accept this advice as church doctrine? If so, what will you do with the dozens of references in Scripture that warn against being drunk or taking intoxicating fluids into your body? Ellen White said that all such products were invented by Satan. What do you think about that?

2. A virtuous woman. The book of Proverbs has a lot more to say about the qualities of a virtuous woman than it does about the dangers of strong drink. Why do you suppose that is? Your lesson author emphasizes that a virtuous woman as described in Proverbs 8 and 31 is one who represents wisdom. Choose one or two of the following topics to talk about when describing the virtuous woman:
1. She is precious and worth finding (Prov. 31:10, 8:35).
2. Her worth is more than rubies (Prov. 31:10; Prov. 8:10-11, 18-19).
3. She provides food (Prov. 31:14, Prov. 8:19).
4. She is strong (Prov. 31:17, 25; Prov. 8:14).
5. She is wise (Prov. 31:26, Prov. 8:1).
6. She is praised (Prov. 31:28, Prov. 8:34).

3. She works and works and…What is virtuous about working long and hard to keep a household running well? Have you ever heard a man left with all of the household chores because his wife is sick or away for a while wondering how in the world she got so much done? When was the last time you showed special appreciation to a woman who has blessed your life? Should the woman in the family work harder than the man? Are you sure?

4. She cares. What’s wrong with a woman caring most of all about how she looks? Such a woman is “vain,” we say. But is that worse than being careless in her appearance by chewing gum (noisily) or trimming her nails in church or…? What is a “kind” woman like? Think about a Christian woman you know who seems to be the essence of kindness. How is she different from others?

5. Nadab and Abihu. The lesson of Nadab and Abihu, who were too inebriated to know right from wrong, rings out as a great example of how strong drink can cause bad behavior. But was their sin the fault of the fermented beverage they probably imbibed? Or do we human beings take full responsibility for what alcohol and drugs can do to our powers of clear thinking?

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