Addictions will destroy our lives. — Proverbs 23:29–35
Reading through proverbs and this really stood out.
Most proverbs are short, but this was a longer admonition.
Proverbs 23:29–35 (NIV84):
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 Those who linger over wine,
who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly!
32 In the end it bites like a snake
and poisons like a viper.
33 Your eyes will see strange sights
and your mind imagine confusing things.
34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,
lying on top of the rigging.
35 “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!
They beat me, but I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up
so I can find another drink?”
This passage is about alcohol abuse or addiction, but we see this play out with all sorts of drugs.
As it destroys our lives, mocks us, and we only wake up looking for the next hit or drink.
Sadly, we know many lives all around us destroyed by addiction.
Father, help us to run to you when we are hurting or in need. May you be our comfort and our delight. May we seek you for strength and help when we are in need or confused or looking for something.
Help us not to become trapped and enslaved – addicted.
May we hear the call of wisdom and listen to her admonition and not shut our ears to what she is saying to us.
