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The Fight
July 27, 2019

In my hometown of El Paso, Texas is the recent story of a fight between two school district superintendents. Let's set the stage. They were out of town and it was late at night. Both ended up at a Whataburger near their hotel; one of them according to the article smelled of alcohol, and head-butted the other one, who punched back to defend himself. Intriguing to the community, it made me think of what the Bible says about drunkenness and violence. For those unfamiliar with the role of the superintendent, directly under the board, they are the overseer of the school district. This incident made me think of what Paul wrote to Timothy about the role of a bishop, the overseer of a congregation. Among many qualities to be had, is for the overseer to be not given to wine and not a striker.

1 Timothy 3:1-7
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

It was Jesus who taught that what comes from a person is what defiles the person. He added that what defiles a person comes from the heart of man. All evil thoughts and acts are an extension of the person. It makes no difference if a person is sober or drunk. Because consuming too much alcohol typically causes a lack of restraint, the weakest part of human character rises to the surface when one is drunk.

Mark 7:14-23
And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Anytime there is a fight between adults it can have serious consequences. When allegedly one of them is drunk and both are school superintendents the impact on students needs to be considered. What may be seen as as drunken brawl by adults could be viewed as a reason to get drunk by children and teens. Actions of adults, positive and negative, do influence teens and children.

Romans 14:10-13
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Giving consideration to the impact on students doesn't equal condemning the guilty party because all of us are imperfect. Whatever consequences are imposed by man will be superseded by God's judgment.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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