Strong Drink

Proverbs 23:29 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.

A young boy, about nine years old was sitting on his Grandpa’s back porch anxiously awaiting his Grandpa’s return so they could go fishing. His Grandpa had gone next door to visit his neighbor. After several hours, the boy’s Grandma came out and inquired as to where the Grandpa was. Upon returning from the neighbor’s the Grandma scooped up the young boy and took him home to his parents. His Grandpa had just ended a long dry spell by getting drunk with moonshine that his neighbor had bought.
He never wanted to hurt his grandson. After all, that boy was his favorite of about five grandsons. But, you see, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:” (Proverbs 20:1). He let his thirst for booze overcome the strongest of all emotions, love.

It still hurts when I recount this story, because if you haven’t already figured it out, I was that young boy. I spent every Saturday fishing, cutting grass, or both with my Grandpa. He stood about 6’3” and was the strongest man I knew. He was never in a war, but was my hero just the same. He rarely spoke of his days in jail around me because he only wanted me to see his good deeds.

But on that day he taught me a lesson that I never forgot. I felt the bite and sting of booze long before taking my first sip. This one incident played the most significant part in keeping me from alcohol for many years. I wanted no part in such sorrow.

I wish I could say I never submitted to the temptation of booze, but I eventually did. Alone in Germany, I felt it was safe because there was no one around to hurt. I didn’t rationalize it like that consciously, but seeing how I shied away from booze after getting married I can only guess that is how I felt deep down. Either way, God has taken that thirst from me, so I never have to sit in sorrow knowing the pain I inflicted on my own grandson some day.

Alcoholism is not a disease; it’s just sinful drunkenness. But do not discount this powerful tool of Satan. Look at your own children, or others you love. Can you ever see yourself going into such a rage as to harm one of them? I hope not.
My Grandpa never wanted to hurt me, but he did. Sober he could barely stand to spank me. But under the spell of the serpent’s toxin, his actions hurt me more than any spanking I ever got. How do I know this as truth? I remember getting many spankings as a child, but I cannot remember a single one by itself. But the bite and sting of booze I got that Saturday morning is just as fresh as ever. The scene is so clear in my mind, I could draw you a picture.

My Grandpa later had a testimony of accepting Christ. I am certain this same incident showed him the depth of his depravity. He withered away to just a shadow of his former self as chemotherapy failed to stop the cancer which had began in his alcohol-weakened liver. I can only imagine the tears he must have shed if God allowed him to see me drinking. But what joy there must have been when both he and my father saw my head and heart bowed toward God on the day I got saved. Praise God that we become new creatures once we put our faith in him.

I’m not really sure what affirmations can be drawn from this. But I thank you for taking the time to read a very personal story.



Ralph Fiscus