Proverbs 20:1-3 (ESV)
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;
whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling.
The one who is drunk loses self-control and ends up making poor decisions which lead to all sorts of ungodly behavior. Only the fool allows herself to become intoxicated by alcohol or any other substance. It is dumb to do anything that would unnecessarily provoke the strong arm of the law. The wise woman avoids strife and conflict. She will often forgo her rights for the sake of peace in the community, while the foolish woman demands that her own needs be met. When you are insulted or overlooked, how do you respond? Do you calmly trust in God’s ability to exercise justice, or do you make lots of noise until your case is heard? What about at home? Would your family members characterize you as a peaceful or an angry person? Make sure there’s no gap between who you are in public and in private. The real you is revealed by what you do when no other human is watching.