Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
The verse belongs to the warning against wine and strong drink in Proverbs 23:29-35. Its image of lying in the midst of the sea or upon the top of a mast portrays the helplessness, unsteadiness, confusion, disorientation, and danger of drunkenness, leaving a person unable to steady himself or to rest. Intemperance clouds the powers God has given, and gratifying perverted appetite works toward death.
Wine and liquor impair judgment and self-control, so complete abstinence is the only safety. Even moderate drinking of fermented wine or cider can gradually lead to drunkenness, disordering the mind and nervous system, weakening reason and resolve, and ending in the loss of self-control and principle. Drinking liquor seriously harms health and shortens life, so violators of the laws of health should stop and preserve themselves.
The warning is illustrated by a young man who died after his family gave him liquor, when strong drink took away their reason and led them to cause his death. The same benumbing applies spiritually: worldly cares and the desire for gain can dull a professed Christian's spiritual powers and eclipse heaven, leaving the person absorbed in worldly pursuits.
The verse belongs to the warning against wine and strong drink in Proverbs 23:29-35. Its image of lying in the midst of the sea or upon the top of a mast portrays the helplessness, unsteadiness, confusion, disorientation, and danger of drunkenness, leaving a person unable to steady himself or to rest. Intemperance clouds the powers God has given, and gratifying perverted appetite works toward death.
Wine and liquor impair judgment and self-control, so complete abstinence is the only safety. Even moderate drinking of fermented wine or cider can gradually lead to drunkenness, disordering the mind and nervous system, weakening reason and resolve, and ending in the loss of self-control and principle. Drinking liquor seriously harms health and shortens life, so violators of the laws of health should stop and preserve themselves.
The warning is illustrated by a young man who died after his family gave him liquor, when strong drink took away their reason and led them to cause his death. The same benumbing applies spiritually: worldly cares and the desire for gain can dull a professed Christian's spiritual powers and eclipse heaven, leaving the person absorbed in worldly pursuits.