Not Given to Much Wine
Titus 2:3 (KJV) 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
What does it mean to be "Not given to much wine”? It's pretty self-explanatory, except that some would likely look at these words and think that as long as they don’t drink too “much”, it would be ok. As for myself, when I read the verse and started thinking about how I would write on this particular subject, the word “much” stood out to me too. Not in the way I just talked about, but in a different one.
At first, I thought of how I didn’t want to write on this subject, because I didn’t want to tell you that it’s ok to drink as long as you don’t overdo it. As many of you know, I struggled with addiction and alcoholism for many years, and I know that I personally can’t have just one drink without it getting out of control. Let’s look at some other verses that cover this topic.
Proverbs 20:1 (KJV) Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Wine deceives those who partake of it. It is the opposite of wise living.
Isaiah 5:11 (KJV) 11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
Isaiah 5:22 (KJV) 22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Do not abuse the drink, because it will consume you.
Ephesians 5:18 (KJV) 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Be filled with the Holy Spirit instead of wine. If not, you are setting yourself up to do things you wouldn’t normally do.
Anyone in a leadership role should heed these words. Drinking will cloud your judgment. Don’t be fooled by Satan. He will tell you that it’s ok just to have one. He is a liar. Let me give you one last scripture that sums it up better than anything does.
Proverbs 23:29-35 (KJV) 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34 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. 35 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.
Becky Pritchett
What does it mean to be "Not given to much wine”? It's pretty self-explanatory, except that some would likely look at these words and think that as long as they don’t drink too “much”, it would be ok. As for myself, when I read the verse and started thinking about how I would write on this particular subject, the word “much” stood out to me too. Not in the way I just talked about, but in a different one.
At first, I thought of how I didn’t want to write on this subject, because I didn’t want to tell you that it’s ok to drink as long as you don’t overdo it. As many of you know, I struggled with addiction and alcoholism for many years, and I know that I personally can’t have just one drink without it getting out of control. Let’s look at some other verses that cover this topic.
Proverbs 20:1 (KJV) Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Wine deceives those who partake of it. It is the opposite of wise living.
Isaiah 5:11 (KJV) 11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
Isaiah 5:22 (KJV) 22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Do not abuse the drink, because it will consume you.
Ephesians 5:18 (KJV) 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Be filled with the Holy Spirit instead of wine. If not, you are setting yourself up to do things you wouldn’t normally do.
Anyone in a leadership role should heed these words. Drinking will cloud your judgment. Don’t be fooled by Satan. He will tell you that it’s ok just to have one. He is a liar. Let me give you one last scripture that sums it up better than anything does.
Proverbs 23:29-35 (KJV) 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34 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. 35 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.
Becky Pritchett