When one reads the book of Proverbs, he will find the word “wise” 72 times and the word “wisdom” 50 times. Yes, the book of Proverbs was written “to know wisdom and instruction” (1:2), for “a wise man will hear and increase learning” (1:5) and “receive commands” (10:8). The wise, inspired penman pleaded, “Pay attention to my wisdom” (5:1), “Hear instruction and be wise” (8:33). When one truly has “the fear of the Lord” in his soul, it will lead to godly “wisdom” (9:10) that “fears and departs from evil” (14:16) and refuses any impulse to “be wise in [his] own eyes” (3:7).
With so much emphasis on being “wise” in the book, there is one verse that emphasizes that something is “NOT wise.” Please, read it carefully. This isn’t a verse in which to search for loopholes. It’s the wisdom from heaven! “Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (20:1). Rather than sanction any number of drinks, God affirms that consumption of alcoholic beverages, in general, is “not wise”! Can you drink alcohol and still be considered “wise” by God?