28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
Here is what can happen:
If you drink and get into the water, tired muscles and confusion from being under the influence of alcohol make it harder to get out of trouble.
There are a range of physical changes which occur when an individual consumes alcohol and then engages in aquatic activity. These include (but are not limited to) the following:
SPASM OF THE VOCAL CHORDS
Water in the windpipe triggers a reflex closure of the windpipe. Alcohol increases the chance that a spasm of the vocal chords will occur, snapping the airway closed. The combination of water and alcohol can lock the airway closed, making breathing difficult.
LACK OF COORDINATION
Alcohol numbs the senses particularly sight, sound and touch. When these senses fail, the stumbles and stutters kick in and swimming abilities may be altered.
DISTURBANCE OF THE INNER EAR
Fluid in the ear is responsible for balance. Alcohol and a sudden change in temperature can led to disorientation. Diving into the water is a perfect opportunity for this: all of a sudden, up becomes down.
HYPOTHERMIA
Alcohol increases blood flow to the arms and legs, even when the body would normally try to stop this action to save from heat loss. If you fall into cold water under the influence of alcohol, hypothermia could potentially occur.
IMPAIRED REACTION TIME
As a depressant, alcohol reduces the rate the brain processes information. Ordinary reactions simply take longer. On the water, a quick response is vital.
IMPAIRED JUDGEMENT
Alcohol distorts your perception of risk, and your own abilities. With less accurate information pouring into the brain, you’re not as well equipped to make the right decisions.
SPASM OF THE VOCAL CHORDS
Water in the windpipe triggers a reflex closure of the windpipe. Alcohol increases the chance that a spasm of the vocal chords will occur, snapping the airway closed. The combination of water and alcohol can lock the airway closed, making breathing difficult.
Alcohol numbs the senses particularly sight, sound and touch. When these senses fail, the stumbles and stutters kick in and swimming abilities may be altered.
DISTURBANCE OF THE INNER EAR
Fluid in the ear is responsible for balance. Alcohol and a sudden change in temperature can led to disorientation. Diving into the water is a perfect opportunity for this: all of a sudden, up becomes down.
HYPOTHERMIA
Alcohol increases blood flow to the arms and legs, even when the body would normally try to stop this action to save from heat loss. If you fall into cold water under the influence of alcohol, hypothermia could potentially occur.
IMPAIRED REACTION TIME
As a depressant, alcohol reduces the rate the brain processes information. Ordinary reactions simply take longer. On the water, a quick response is vital.
IMPAIRED JUDGEMENT
Alcohol distorts your perception of risk, and your own abilities. With less accurate information pouring into the brain, you’re not as well equipped to make the right decisions.
What does all that have to do with the opening verse? Spiritually "intoxicated" with the wrong stuff has pretty much the same effect.
It says in Ephesians 5:17-19 "17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is *dissipation;" but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,"
*The Greek word here translated "dissipation," in the old English is "asótia," which means "wantonness, profligacy, wastefulness."
*The Greek word here translated "dissipation," in the old English is "asótia," which means "wantonness, profligacy, wastefulness."
Focusing on the events happening around the world, especially in light of the latest threats in the world can cause you to become dissipated or "INTOXICATED" with what the devil is doing. There is great danger in becoming fearful, discouraged and defeated.
God is delaying His coming because He is willing that NO ONE should perish. EVERY SOUL is precious to Him. We want the same thing He wants.
But what do people tend to stop doing when they're afraid? Pretty much everything. There are still people out there who will die in their sins because they don't know Jesus. We don't want to become so fearful or "DISSIPATED" that we stop preaching the gospel or neglect edifying the church for the work of service and reach out to the lost.
The Bible says, "7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be SOBER, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Thessalonians 5:7-9
Keeping our focus on Jesus will keep us from getting drunk on the lies, fear and deception all around us in these last days.
We DON'T want to be "swimming while intoxicated." We want to keep our eyes on Jesus!
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