Just “Once”

Should a friend ever disclose the intent to do something just “once,” perhaps involving drinking, smoking, drugs, or things of a sexual nature, please discourage the thought that it can be done but once. The second time is always easier, and the third, easier still!

Remind them of the snare of wine:

”Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder” (Proverbs 23:29-32).

But be forewarned that Scripture seems to “encourage” strong drink: for those who are “ready to perish,” and for those who are “appointed to destruction.”

”Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction” (Proverbs 31:6-8).