[ Alcohol ]

After just passing into the New Year I'm reminded of how others may have celebrated. What tugs at my heart is how those celebrations may or may not have affected other people I love. I recently joined a group call 5:16 Gals and found a blog from a fellow member that shared her thoughts on the topic of "Alcohol and The Believer; Should They Mix?". Let me say first and foremost, I have friends and loved ones who drink (or drank) and my views on the topic of drinking make me love them no less, quite the opposite probably. This is a personal opinion and value, not a judgment I'm sharing. It's just been in the forefront of my mind lately, knowing that New Years was coming, having family that are struggling with alcoholism and watching their family fall apart, having my husband overcome a history with alcohol and seeing and experiencing how our lives have changed because alcohol has been completely eliminated from our lives....and feeling the pain and heartbreak, disappointment of family and friends with their loved ones makes me pray that others may someday share the same view on the subject.

I believe everything we do should be done in a manner to glorify God (and trust me I fall short many times over) and we should always be ever mindful to think of this before anything we do. No matter how big or small.

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and florify your Father who is in Heaven."
--Matthew5:16

"Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
--1 Corinthians 10:31a

This is a very controversial issue, even the comments on her blog had people asking questions about wine in the bible. She also had a comment that explained just that before I could post to it. lol I'm linking her blog for other articles and maybe it will become a favorite bookmark for you. But I'm copying and pasting her exact post to share here as I believe it, agree with it and want it to be heard (or I should say read).

Love to all my friends and family. Alcoholics, casual drinkers and non-drinkers alike. I love you all with all my heart. ♥

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

"Alcohol and The Believer; Should They Mix?" - by Traci Michele
BELIEVE ME! I know that this topic is super-controversial. That is why I have tried to avoid writing about it at all cost.

The Holy Spirit keeps prompting me to write about it.

I keep avoiding it.

I can't ignore the Spirit's nudging any longer.

Let Me Clear The Air:

I have never drank alcohol.

I do not intend to EVER drink alcohol.

I use to think that all Christians were on the same page.

I've come to learn that this is not always the case.

Do I think that I am more spiritual than you, believer, who chooses to drink alcohol in the privacy of your own home, in small amounts?

No.

Do I still think that alcohol should be completely avoided, as a believer?

Yes.

I really like what Brian Richards says on this topic:

"First of all, the question is normally asked in a self-centered plea for permission than a genuine desire to know what pleases God. In many cases the person is looking for justification of a specific action rather than sanctification (or growing in holiness).

I believe the question followers of Christ need to ask in ALL things should be far less self-centered and more Christ-focused. The question should be less about

is this action RIGHT or WRONG and more about “Does this glorify God?”

What this post will NOT be about:

Proving that alcohol is WRONG, according to the Bible.
{We can have that discussion at another time}

What this post WILL be about:

Shedding some light on why it should be avoided, at all costs {as a follower of Christ}

Causing us to think a little deeper about this topic.
{to search our own heart}

Can we all agree that the bible clearly speaks about NOT GETTING DRUNK?

Some questions for the Christian who says "There is nothing wrong with drinking alcohol, if you don't get drunk".

1. Does drinking alcohol, even in small amounts, alter your mind or state of being?

2. When do you turn to alcohol? And why?

3. How do you know when "to stop". How do you know "when you've reached the DRUNK state?"

4. Is it possible, that you could ever be tempted to keep drinking? What if you are having a bad day, stressed, and keep drinking to make yourself feel better?

5. Does it bring you closer to the Lord, or further away? Does it bring Him glory?

6. Does it ever hurt your conscience?

Why I Choose To Completely Abstain From Alcohol

1. It bothers my conscience. Romans 14:14-23

There are 75 Warnings in the bible regarding alcohol. There is more Scripture warning about the use of alcoholic beverages than will be found on the subjects of lying, adultery, swearing, cheating, hypocrisy, pride, or even blasphemy. To partake in something that has that many "warnings", would certainly sear my conscience.

2. I have an addictive personality.
I don't want to be tempted to be enslaved. 1 Cor. 6:12

Alcohol is an addictive drug. My mind is already blurred, on most days as a busy mommy. I do not need to introduce a beverage which not only blurs the fine shades of moral restraints, but also could easily become habit-forming. I agree with Paul, when he says “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything (1 Cor. 6:12).

If someone giggles and says, “why not prove that you can have some self control. Why rule it out on the basis of a possible weakness?” My answer: I choose to flee. I know I am weak. I am only strong, because I choose to be filled and controlled by the Spirit. I have nothing to prove. Why should I put something else in my life, that may tempt me to become addicted to it? I say, why not avoid it at all costs and be triumphant that way?

3. I want to be different as a believer. I want to be sober and alert!

Titus 2:12-14:

¹²Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

¹³Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

¹⁴Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-7

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

1 Peter 5:8

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

I want to seek to pursue holiness in all matters. I do not believe that alcohol will help me as I daily seek to be sanctified.

4. Alcohol is associated with evil most of the time.

Alcoholism is one of the greatest health problems in America. About 70% use alcohol as a beverage. Alcohol contributes to 205,000 deaths each year. Life expectancy of the alcoholic is reduced by at least a decade. It is directly connected to 1/2 the homicides and 1/3 of suicides. One out of every twelve marriages comes apart over drinking!

5. I have seen the negative affects of what alcohol can do to a person.

It makes the angry person more angry. It makes the selfish person, more selfish. It can turn the sweetest of the sweet, into the vilest of the vile!

6. I don't believe that it would be glorifying to the Lord.

The bible warns about being associated with winebibbers Proverbs 23:19-32

7. I don't want to make other believers stumble.

I am in several different capacities of leadership in the church (ladies bible study, mentor to young adults, teens, and small children). I would never want them to look at me, and think, "she drinks, so it must be okay for me to."

8. Alcohol is a mind altering drug. As Brian write on this topic he says,

"In its effect upon the mind alcohol works most quickly as a depressant to eliminate restraints. The fine shades of moral restraint are among the first to become blurred. Further, split-second decisions and the quick neural reflexes leading to physical action become sluggish — as well as our judgment as to whether or not our critical faculties have been at all affected by our drinking” (Christianity Today, Sept. 18, 1981, p.13).

THE MATURE BELIEVER

What the mature believer should never ask:

How many enjoyable things can I do and still not transgress God’s will?”

What the mature believer's mindset should be:

Is there anything at all that I can do or stop doing which will refine my ability to recognize and do the will of God? For the most part, can we agree that drinking alcoholic beverages does not increase one’s sensitivity to the will of God?

References:

1. Brian Richards: Alcohol and the Believer: Abstinence or Moderation?
2. 75 Warnings in the Bible

What are your thoughts? Let's discuss this together.