The Sparkle is a Lie
"Suppose a prophet full of lies would say to you, “I’ll preach to you the joys of wine and alcohol!” That’s just the kind of prophet you would like!" Micah 2:11 NLT
In a passage addressing false prophets, Micah pokes the elephant of compromise in the room. I believe the Lord is addressing this same elephant in 2022. If a "false prophet" preaches the joys of wine and alcohol then the opposite is true. A true preacher or prophet is going to address the dangers of alcohol and not cater to the compromisers in the Church who lean more on beer and wine than the Holy Bible and the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul gave Timothy a very important warning:
"For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear."
2 Timothy 4:3 NLT
Leonard Ravenhill once said, "We live in a day of itching ears, but I have no commission from God to scratch them."
Micah and Paul both knew that people who wanted to stay in their sin and lukewarm lifestyle would look for preachers and teachers who would tickle their itching ears. This is the kind of preaching that sends people to hell, not Heaven. I would run from it. Pastors who polish sin need to repent. Many first need to put the plug in their own jug before they stand behind a pulpit. Lukewarm leaders produce lukewarm followers. Many are so numb they no longer hear the knock of the Lord. There's a church-hopping epidemic because many go to church for a tickle not to be transformed into the image of Christ. The sad thing is there is much tickling going on.
I don't know why anyone who cares about God's Kingdom advancing on the earth would flirt with this devil. Alcohol destroys and Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. (See 1 John 3:8) Alcohol destroys people's lives. Just because it's legal doesn't mean it isn't lethal. Many die every day because of it. Families are destroyed every day because of it. Tears are shed and hearts are broken every day because of the influence of alcohol. Many children will never see their parents again because of booze. Many others will spend the rest of their lives behind bars because they said, "I'll just have a couple."
Satan is a master of making sin look sparkly. It has been said that "Not all that glitters is gold." There is much wisdom in that statement.
God's Word has a lot to say about this:
"Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper." Proverbs 23:31-32 NLT
Behind the sparkle is a deadly sting. All sin starts with a sparkle but ends with a deadly sting. The sparkle is a lie. If you've been stung, God wants to remove the poison and change your gaze so that you never get stung again. When your gaze changes, your life changes. You don't need alcohol. True believers are called to be sober and vigilant.
"Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
1 Peter 5:8 NKJV
I've never seen a commercial for alcohol with someone behind bars promoting a new beer with a smile on their face or one with a crying child over the casket of their dead parent who passed away because they were driving drunk. No, they just show you the sparkle. It's called seduction. It’s satan's way of putting hooks in you with the plan of dominating you after you fall for the sparkle. Wake Up!!!
What else does alcohol do...?
"Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise." Proverbs 20:1 NLT
Mocking and fighting others is a fruit of drinking alcohol. Jesus called us to love and care for others. Alcohol causes the opposite of loving and caring for others. I'm not a genius, but this makes it clear to me who's behind its promotion. The devil hates family and relationships. Every time a person takes a drink of alcohol the devil smiles and his demons rejoice.
Do you really want to be the reason demons rejoice...?
Amos tried to sound this alarm as well:
"You drink wine by the bowlful and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions. You care nothing about the ruin of your nation. Therefore, you will be the first to be led away as captives. Suddenly, all your parties will end." Amos 6:6-7 NLT
Here we see alcohol being one of the main causes that God's people didn't care about others or the ruin of their nation. Alcohol desensitizes people to what matters most in life, loving God and loving others.
I'll close this blog with one more passage from the Apostle Paul:
"So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:15-20 NLT
If this challenged you or even made you mad, we ask that you truly seek the Lord and pray about this. You won't stand before Made to Marvel Ministries on judgment day.
It's not time to see how close to the world you can live and still say "you're saved." If you don't care about others, I don't know how "saved" you are. We need burning and holy lamps in these last days to shine the light of Jesus to a lost, addicted, confused, and dying humanity. Wake Up & Repent!
If you need help getting sober, reach out to us. If you're a struggling leader in ministry, please reach out to us. There is HOPE!
Written by Travis Habbershon