"Linger Longer at the Grape Juice" (Originally published October 27)

[Note: Brother Andy Kizer gave me the information and the idea for this article.]

For many years men have tried to justify their use of alcohol as a good thing. Some have simply said that there is nothing wrong with it. Others have used the argument that, so long as it is drunk in moderation, drinking is okay; in other words, one just needs to keep control.

No doubt, though, the most popular argument for the consumption of alcohol, specifically wine, has been that it is actually good for one’s health. Two major health aids are told: (1) it is good for your heart, and (2) because of that, it increases longevity. Truth be told, if those were the only health connections with wine, it would be very difficult to argue against its consumption.

As is always the case, however, there is another side to the story. A recent article on msn.com, under the “health” section listed the “Top Ten Smart Foods” as reported by Psychology Today.com. Many of the foods you can no doubt guess, because your mother probably tried to make you eat them. Foods such as spinach (#4) and garlic (#10) are usual suspects in a list of the healthiest foods. [As a side-note, I was personally proud to see hot cocoa listed at #7. It turns out that hot cocoa contains antioxidants that “protect brain cells from oxidative stress that can lead to Alzheimer’s and other disorders.” I can’t wait for cold weather, now. It’s a good excuse for more chocolate…good health!]

Would it be surprising to see wine on that list? With the focus in our society today on doing what we want all the time, it should not surprise you at all that wine makes the list. But, there is more to the entry. Number five on the list of top smart foods actually says, “Red Wine, or, better yet, Grape Juice.” What? There is something better than the “miracle cure” of alcohol? Here is the reasoning behind their making this entry:

Drinking red wine in moderation increases longevity. But since alcohol
slows down the brain’s ability to function properly, grape juice may be a
smarter beverage choice. New research from James Joseph shows that concord grape
juice significantly improves short-term memory and motor skills. It’s not
just the heavy dose of antioxidants. Joseph believes that grape juice
increases production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Concord grape juice
has the highest total antioxidant level of any fruit, vegetable or juice
tested.

Interesting, don’t you think?

Notice the admission that alcohol, and–in this discussion–wine, “slows the brain’s ability to function properly.” How many adults have been told that their entire lives but do not believe it. How many more say, “It’s just a little wine, it won’t hurt”? Sadly, millions in our country are falling for those lines. Solomon, by inspiration asked great questions and answered them:

Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine.
Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying, “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?” (Proverbs 23:29-35, emphasis added)

God, through His Word, gave several such words to us, warning us against the use of things that would be harmful to our bodies. He specifically mentioned alcohol here and in other passages. If God made the effort to specifically mention something, should we not be extra careful to avoid it?

Many have fallen for the lie that wine is healthy. While it is true there may be some health benefits, those do not outweigh the health risks. Additionally, God has warned us against the consumption of such things. May we start “lingering long at the grape juice!”

Comment originally published by Jim and Donna Faughn on November 1:

GREAT ARTICLE — just like all the ones you write!!