Habits; Warning, You Must Avoid These 2 Bad Ways!

Are you a victim of bad habits? This Wisdom of Proverbs points out 2 bad habits to avoid. Strangely enough, habitually drinking too much (alcoholic beverages) and eating too much food are bad habits!

Updated: Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Habits; Warning, You Must Avoid These 2 Bad Ways!

"You can avoid bad habits"

STM Bible Lesson

Lesson focus: Proverbs 23:19-21. Bible lesson background: Extract from ‘A Brief Guide to A.A.:’ For many years, alcoholism has been recognized as a highly prevalent and disabling health problem, one that affects far more than just the alcoholic alone. Family, friends, and others are hurt by its effects — in the home, on the job, on our highways and roads. Alcoholism costs lives, as well as costing communities millions of dollars. So, whether or not you ever become an alcoholic yourself, alcoholism can still have a devastating impact on your life.
From Overeaters Anonymous (OA): There are OA groups in over 75 countries meeting in person, via telephone, and through the internet each week. OA’s 60-year history has shown that it is possible to recover from the disease of compulsive eating. We invite you to join us to find the freedom that many of our members have discovered over the years.

You can avoid bad habits

Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. 20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. Proverbs 23:19-21 (KJV)

‘Guide thine heart in the way’. This has such a poetic flair, but it means to keep your mind on what is right. My fav Bible meaning is from Good News Translation: ‘give serious thought to the way you live’. Another way to look at this is to be mindful of living right to please God.

The focus scripture in a modern version

Proverbs 23:19-21 (CEV)
Listen to me, my children! Be wise and have enough sense to follow the right path. 20 Don’t be a heavy drinker or stuff yourself with food. 21 It will make you feel drowsy, and you will end up poor with only rags to wear.

I urge you to think about the things you do and the way you live. Get rid of bad habits.

Thank God for grace

Did you know the Law required that a ‘glutton and a drunkard’ be stoned (hit with stones) to death? The parents of a ‘rebellious (disobedient) son’ were to take their son to ‘elders’ and say “he is a glutton and a drunkard.” ‘All the men of his city shall stone him with stones’.

Read Deuteronomy 21:18-21 (20-21) for the full details.

Using substances that alter your way of thinking is not a good habit for you. As a matter of fact, I am clean and sober since March 1977. I speak from experience. Thank you, Lord, for removing the appetite for drugs and alcohol. Both WERE bad habits that made me someone I was not proud of.

Winebibbers

What is a winebibber? Don’t feel bad if you don’t know. I didn’t know either until I did some research. A short answer is a person or people who drink too much wine; a drunkard or an alcoholic.

Be wise my friends, the Bible advises us to avoid people who habitually drink too much, see 1 Corinthians 5:11. More importantly, you should not allow this bad habit in your life. Alcoholics will not live forever with the Lord, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

Our World in Data Statistics 2022

Globally, alcohol consumption causes 2.8 million premature deaths per year. 74% of those who die are younger than 70 years.

Some of the most common symptoms of alcohol abuse are [from ‘Alcohol Rehab Guide’):]

  • Experiencing temporary blackouts or short-term memory loss.
  • Exhibiting signs of irritability and extreme mood swings.
  • Making excuses for drinking such as to relax, deal with stress or feel normal.
  • Choosing drinking over other responsibilities and obligations.
  • Becoming isolated and distant from friends and family members.
  • Drinking alone or in secrecy.
  • Feeling hungover when not drinking.
  • Changing your appearance and the group of acquaintances you hang out with.

Riotous eaters of flesh

No, this is not talking about cannibals! ☺ In modern English, this means those who habitually eat too much food. To better understand this, verse 21 points out that a person who does this is a ‘glutton’. In fact, the word ‘glutton’ implies greed.

Gluttons and greedy people want/eat/get more than they need. Avoid overeating!

Deloitte Access Economics Statistics 2020
It was estimated that 28.8 million Americans alive in 2018-19 will have an ED (eating disorder) at some point during their life – either in the past, present, or future.
The total financial costs associated with EDs were estimated to be $64.7 billion in 2018-19, which equates to $11,808 per person with an ED.

Habits wrap-up

As a final point, indulging in these bad habits will end badly. Solomon says they cause laziness (drowsiness) and poverty. Consider this prayer:

Make your steps clear to me, O Lord; give me knowledge of your ways. 5 Be my guide and teacher in the true way; for you are the God of my salvation; I am waiting for your word all the day [Psalms 25:4-5 (BBE)].

Are you a victim of bad habits? Be a wise child of God, I urge you to use self-control and avoid drinking and eating too much. You can avoid bad habits with the help of the Lord. I pray that you have enjoyed and will make the most of this Bible lesson. Blessings to you and your loved ones— Tim. ☺

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further spiritual growth:

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Reference Scriptures

Note: parenthesis (#) encloses the key verse(s).

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 (20-21); 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (11) and 6:1-11 (9-10). Psalms 25:4-5; Ephesians 5:15-21 (18).

I look forward to your feedback via comment at the bottom of the page or by emailing tim@stministry.com. Have a fantabulous day!

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2 thoughts on “Habits; Warning, You Must Avoid These 2 Bad Ways!

  1. Habits - Bengal Tiger
    Like it or not you have good ? and bad ? habits. Is overdoing it with wine and/or food a problem??? #habits.

    Message in the picture:
    You can avoid bad habits

    Verse for the day:
    Proverbs 23:19-21

    Visit this 9-minute-read Bible lesson; click on/tap the picture or link.
    Sunday, October 22, 2017

    Works well on all devices ? ? ?

    G=0 F=7 P=4 I=2 T=0

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