Proverbs 23:33

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the impact of over indulgence:

Proverbs 23:33 (NASBStr)

Your eyes will see strange things

And your mind will utter perverse things.

Proverbs 23:33 (ESV)

Your eyes will see strange things,

and your heart utter perverse things.

The passage this proverbs is taken from is in regard to what happens when we indulge too much into wine and drink.   Solomon lists several bad affects for what can happen from over indulging.   In this particular proverb we read that the bad affect results in the distortion of our sight and poor speech flowing from our heart through our mouth.   From Solomon's position in life (King of Israel) he would be able to see many who feel into this position.   But, we only have to go out on a Friday or Saturday night to see the same thing.    Drunk people say and see perverse things.  However, the alcohol simply allows what is already perverse within the heart.   The alcohol is not the reason for the perverse talk, it is the conduit ... or, better the igniter.  Alcohol doesn't "cause" perverseness.  It only allows perverse hearts to be seen faster and louder.     Alcohol shouldn't be made the culprit in this group of proverbs.   That doesn't mean long swigs from a bottle isn't wrong.   What Solomon is teaching us is that wine can put us into a place that creates more opportunities for sin to flow.    Sin needs little help to produce bad situations in our lives.  We don't need to oil it with wine so it runs smoother.