Southern Comfort

The region of the United States known as "The South" is famous for hospitality. It's in the "Bible Belt". Specifically, Kentucky has been a hotbed of Christian activity over it's history. Many people migrating from New York, to New Jersey, to Virginia, to North Carolina came finally to Kentucky before they moved westward. Likewise, those from Delaware and Maryland ended up coming through the Cumberland Gap..

The Ohio River brought many more from Pennsylvania and beyond to ""Kah-ten-tah-teh', meaning 'Fair Land of Tomorrow' or 'Land Where We Will Live Tomorrow'."  (A History of the Daniel Boone National Forest 1770 - 1970). Since pale faces had trouble with that mouthful, this land came to be called "Kentucky".

 Martin Wilkes Heron (1850–1920), the son of a boat-builder, in 1874 at McCauley’s Tavern in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana was the originator of "Southern Comfort". (New Orleans Restaurants & Cuisine: Southern Comfort). However, long before that, Kentucky had it's own brand of "southern comfort". It is "Kentucky Bourbon".  It is supposed that "Kentucky Bourbon" also came from Louisiana. However, the Reverend Elijah Craig who lived in Bourbon County,  Kentucky, is who is credited with bringing this "southern comfort" to Kentucky ( John E. Kleber, ed., The Kentucky Encyclopedia; Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1992, 103)

Today, Americans consider it strange that Baptists, even Baptist preachers would not only consume, but manufacture "spirits".  "Spirits" are alcoholic beverages which contain the psychoactive drug ethanol. It alters perception, mood and consciousness.  This alteration in personality is what people seek to exist in this cruel world! In the South people turn to it for "southern comfort".  Alcoholic beverages mellows the one who imbibes, creating a more apathetic attitude and demeanor.

Too often, and much so, people turn to alcohol, not only for recreation, but for comfort. It's the "soma" which George Orwell coined to enable people to exist. Problems are blurred by alcohol, but it does nothing to solve problems. Thought processes are altered by its use, and the main problem with alcohol is not that it's addictive, but it disengages the user from reality. Those who depend on alcohol for comfort, whether southern or northern, are deceived by the evil one who wants people to fail to consider what God offers.

1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

If anyone is under the influence of spirits (alcohol)  that person is under the influence of spirits (demons)!  We are to remain sober to protect ourselves from destruction! We are at war with darkness and the devil seeks to destroy us; specifically our salvation, but on the way, the body may be  a casualty!

Without alcohol, what can we depend on to comfort us? How can we make it with the day-to-day hardships? What is our "soma"?

John 14:16 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever..."

When Jesus left for his seat in heaven, mankind was not left alone! Jesus is the Comforter, but God left another Comforter. Who would that be?

John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

The Holy Ghost is the very "Spirit of God"! Yes, there are evil spirits which deceive, but the Holy Spirit comforts. He aids us, if we are vigilant to his admonishments,  to get through  the toils of life! However, to heed the Holy Spirit we must be vigilant, and to be vigilant, we must remain sober. "Southern Comfort" nor "Kentucky Bourbon", not only fail to comfort, but puts a barrier in the mind to the instruction and comfort in the Holy Spirit, THE Comforter!

Christians don't need Southern Comfort when we already have the "Comfort of the Kingdom of God", which is God's elixir available  that we may cope and are not destroyed! When troubles arise, people turn to alcohol when a better "beverage" is available. The Holy Spirit is represented as "Living Waters" and that is "God's Comfort"!

Revelation 7:17 "For the Lamb (Jesus) which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

Are you drinking the wrong beverage? Should men be drinking Southern Comfort or Living Waters? Which spirit leads men? Is it "spirits' through the demon's deception with alcohol. or is it the Holy Spirit? Is it the deceiver on whom men depend or is it Truth departed by the Lamb of God? It's not the drink which enters the mouth which is wrong, it's the drink that deceives the spirit. How can the Holy Spirit comfort a person who is already being comforted by a strong drink served by a strong demon?

With all our tears here on earth, only the Spirit is able to truly Comfort! We must allow him to do that, and with faith, God will never give us more than we can stand! He never promises a rose garden, but a mere Garden of Eden. Those who lean on the Holy Spirit will smell the herbs therein. The ones who lean on spirits may never sniff the fine aroma in God's garden!

Job is a fine example of leaning on the right spirit. Follow his example and prosperity will return. With his losses he never turned to alcohol, but to God! Let God be the Comforter!

The Holy Spirit of God is not only "Southern Comfort", but he is the "Ultimate Comfort". All we need to do is to fill our bellies with the drink of "living waters":

John 7:38  "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

That my friends, is holiness coming from the drink of sobriety, the Holy Spirit!