The Bottle of Deception

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

I have seen too many lives destroyed by alcohol. It is a deceiver and a life-destroyer, a god in a bottle that controls one’s life like a cruel puppeteer. It not only destroys the life of the one held hostage by its influence but also devastates the onlookers who love the person under its cruel control. It causes beautiful women to slobber, slur their speech, and behave in unbecoming ways. It drives people to say and do things they would never do without its influence, all for what? A temporary numbness and a lifetime of regrets? The only people who think it’s fun are also under the cruel puppeteer's influence.

It Is Written

EPHESIANS 5:18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.

Lasting Happiness

My heart was desperately hungry, longing, sad, and unfulfilled until the day I met Jesus. Mary Magdalene’s face and actions in the series “The Chosen” mirrored my heart perfectly. I entertained taking my life, as she did, until someone called me by name. I sat on a porch, one minute, overflowing with love and hope, washed clean, whole, and filled with purpose the next. What happened in between was Him. 

Prayer

Lord, if there are those whom alcohol has rendered powerless, I pray for divine intervention in their lives. I pray You would send people into their lives who will speak the truth and guide them to the living hope and freedom found in You. I pray that, right now, that chain would break and Your tangible love would flow down upon them, rescuing them from this cruel puppet master. You came to set the captives free and give them abundant life. I ask for all the help of heaven to assist them on their journey out of its grasp toward You.

Takeaway

There is freedom in Christ.