Proverbs 23 - The Dangers of Drinking and Dining

I have many acquaintances who spend their entire life's partying. One has a $3000 a month Amex bill from just going out drinking, partying on the weekends, etc. His life is just what is described in this Proverb

Additionally be careful when you are with people of power that have persuasion over you. It can cause you serious internal turmoil. Have you ever been invited to dine with powerful people, or royalty? How has it made you feel? Special, unworthy, jealous, confused why you cannot have that kind of life?

23:1-5 When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, 2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. 3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. 4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
If you are even in a situation like this be careful of what you consume. In Jewish times many of the things that rulers ate were not acceptable to the Jewish people and would cause them to sin if they partook. The same can be said for us. Rulers and powerful people have a huge banquet of foods and wines that would not be good for a Christian to take part in. Not to mention the entertainment they sometimes have. Don't desire their lifestyle, it is not the lifestyle of a true Christ follower. It is easy to be enticed by this excess but we need to remember that we are called to show fortitude and restraint. Have you ever been in a situation like this? Did you feel like you should leave?

23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. 31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. 34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. 35 "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"
What an extremely true and forceful warning about drinking. Remember they drank mostly wine during these times, but today there are all kinds of things that can be abused. Abuse leads to addiction and addictive behavior. You can be easily lured into the darkness of this behavior. I was there in my pre-Christ days. I don't ever want to be there again. Anyone who lives this life will eventually die to themselves, to the world, and eventually die period.