Evils of Not Using Self-Control

Evil Effects of Alcohol

“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler, whoever is led astray by them is not wise”

Proverbs 20:1. .

Note – All intoxicating drinks are deceptive. They seem to give strength, but in reality cause weakness; they seem to create heat, but in fact lower the general temperature; they seem to impart vitality, but really destroy life; they seem to promote happiness, but cause the greatest unhappiness and misery. To not be in self-control, may have attributed much of the world’s sorrow.

With what sins is drunkenness classed?

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:19-21. 

What is one of the evil results of not having self-control?

“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” Proverbs 23:20,21. 

What are other evil effects on not having self-control?

“To prostitution, to old wine and new, which take away the understanding.” Hosea 4:11.

“And those also stagger from wine and reel from beer; Priest and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions.” Isaiah 28:7.

What are common accompaniments of not having self-control?

“Who has woes? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger after wine, who go to the sample bowls of mixed wine.” Proverbs 23:29,30.

How do intoxicants serve one in the end?

“Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.” Verses 31,32.

Note – The effects of alcoholic liquors do not decrease with the passing of the years. These effects are well described in the American Prohibition Year Book of 1912.

To what extent is the lack of self-control the cause of crime?

“Phillip L. Griffin, chief probation officer of the Municipal Court of Minneapolis says, ‘Practically 90 per cent of the cases that come through the court… are a result of drinking.’” – Listen October-December, 1948, p. 34. 

Nature and Effect of Tobacco

Being a rank poison, tobacco is highly injurious.

Note – “Tobacco is the most subtle poison known to chemists, except the deadly prussic acid.” –M. Academy.

“Tobacco slows up reflexes, lowers morale; any advertisement that says smoking helps an athlete is a falsehood and a fraud.” –Knute Rockne.

Innocent Beginning and Sad Ending

Where does the lack of self-control begin?

Lack of self-control begins in the home.

Note – “The quick pick me ups of sweets in childhood, the dependence of many youths on the influence of caffeine in tea, coffee, and chocolate, reinforced today from puberty on by increasing concentrated absorption of nicotine, early result in the acquiring of an hourly need for drugged foods. From these milder drug-helps it is an easy step to light drinks, then to the essence of false hope-hard liquor.” – Robert S. Carroll, What Price Alcohol? Pp. 278,279.

What will drunkards, with other workers of iniquity, never inherit?

“Do you know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9,10.  

Christ’s Warning and Prophecy

What admonition against the lack of self-control did Christ give that is especially applicable at the present time?

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighted down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.”

Luke 21:34. 

Thoughts to Think

“Grape-juice has killed more people than grape-shot.” – Spurgeon

“O that man should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away their brains!”

– Shakespeare.

“The liquor traffic is the most degrading and ruinous of all human pursuits.”

- William McKinley