Proverbs 23:31-35

Proverbs 23:31-35
English Standard Version
​31 Do not look at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup
    and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a serpent
    and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things,
    and your heart utter perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
    like one who lies on the top of a mast.
35 “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt;
    they beat me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake?
    I must have another drink.”

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Solomon once again warns his son (and the people) of the dangers of alcohol.  It is deceptive in making you think you feel good, but when you come out of your drunkenness, your problems are still there.  Nothing has gotten better, and you have likely done something foolish while drunk to make things even worse (or someone has taken advantage of you while you are drunk).  Solomon says it goes down smoothly but then bites like a viper with its venom the has long-term consequences.

Solomon says that you may see strange things when under the influence of alcohol (it was common for people to use alcohol and other drugs to put them into a state where they were more likely to see visions and consort with demons (though they thought they were speaking to the dead).  You'll also more likely be in places where wickedness abounds, and you will see and hear strange and perverse things.  Alcohol also leads you to lose your self-control and you will do and say things while under the influence of alcohol that are in your heart, but you would never say or do when sober.  For this reason, be careful about drinking in general, but especially when it comes to business meetings.

Solomon says that you will be like a body floating in the ocean, going wherever the currents take it.  You will start to feel invincible because of your "liquid courage" so that people will beat you, and you will say that you do not feel it (which is quite dangerous.  Then you "wake up" and only desire to go back into that drunken state and want more and stronger drink so that you are day-drinking and constantly living for the next drink.  I've never been there personally, but I've watched others in my life go through this (I used to live with someone who would drink so much that he would wake up under the influence of alcohol, and he easily drink enough alcohol to kill himself on more than one occasion, but God saved him from himself).  If you or someone you know is an alcoholic or alcohol is in any way affecting your ability to be a parent, spouse, student, employee, or friend to anyone around you, please speak to someone to get help.  Don't think you can stop any time you want to or imagine that you have control over this monster, it usually controls you as Solomon describes here, and this is not a battle to fight alone.