ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: IS IT SAFE FOR BELIEVERS?

By admin@heavenlymission.org. Dec 07, 2022

Many Christians deem alcohol fit to drink, while others think it is both unlawful and sinful to consume alcohol. Which stand is correct?

Alcohol consumption is rightly a tough topic to undertake due to its fine margins that can make or break opinions. Alcohol is associated with all kinds of moods and atmospheres. Alcoholic drinks are widely seen at parties, special events, TV commercials, movies, stores, and beer parlors. It is often used as a means to drone out pain and sorrow. In good and bad times, alcohol is ever-present.

People have been hurt due to its intake, and there’s no stopping the future implications of alcohol consumption. Accidents sometimes happen as a result. Drunkenness has brought about costly mistakes too. In summary, alcohol has an ugly record to go by.

Many Christians totally stay off alcohol with their decisions substantiated by their beliefs that the Scripture declares it to be sinful. Some others counter that by pointing fingers at Jesus, claiming he made wine and also drank wine, obviously referencing the wedding he graced with his mother, Mary, and his disciples. The event hosts ran out of wine, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, brought the situation to his attention (John 2:3-5).

However, the Bible does not give us a vivid description of the kind of wine given to the governor of the feast that made him call the bridegroom and scold him for bringing this wine when men have drunk well (John 2:9-110). We were not told that the wine at the Cana of Galilee was an alcoholic wine in that passage, but the Bible just gave us the word wine.

Well, alcohol as a product in itself is not evil. It is often abused. A large chunk of its consumers are guilty of abuse, and there lies its evil description.

The Bible, in some passages, extols wine as one of God’s good gifts that can ‘make glad the heart of man (Psalm 104:14-15), while in some passages, there are strong warnings regarding its intake. Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”

Drunkenness that only occurs as a result of too much intake of alcohol was spelled out as one of those undertakings that wouldnotmake a man inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5:21).

Alcohol use affects a man’s clear thinking. It disrupts a man’s coordination and reaction. I wonder how a man can effectively serve God with a blurred mind. Scripture warns kings not to crave, not more drink alcohol, saying kings need a clear mind to uphold justice and protect the oppressed (Prov. 31:4-5).

It is common knowledge by now that excessive intake of alcohol can give rise to both short- and long-term health crises. The Bible does not advocate for problematic health (3 John 1:2).

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.” - 3 John 1:2.

Another reason why so many Christians consider alcohol to be acceptable in the Bible is the conception that wine back then most likely contained lower levels of alcohol and was less intoxicating. But many of today’s wine products use modern fermentation methods that produce higher levels of alcohol that could have been hardly possible in the Bible days.

Little or large, every alcohol has the capacity to make people drunk.

Regardless of the series of warnings that the scriptures have churned out against the abuse of alcohol, many so-called Christians are still enjoying it, hinging on their right to liberty. But liberty is a luxury mostly abused.

Galatians 5:13 warns against applying liberty erroneously. Liberty is not leveraged to sin. It states, “Ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh.” Do not entangle yourself with the chains of sin by the liberty you have received through Christ.

Paul admonishes Christians to abstain from drinking wine or eating meat in situations where doing so could cause their brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble (Rom 14:21). In all we do, we should remember that God wants to be glorified in our lives (1 Cor 10:31).

I will close with this passage from Eph 5:15-21.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the LORD is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:15-21).

God will not excuse ignorance. He demands that we walk with Him in humility and holy living (Micah 6:8; Hebrews 12:14).

Believers should understand that 100% holiness is in obedience to the word of God (1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 15:19; 1 Peter 1:15; Genesis 17:1).

Not all that is lawful is Godly (1 Corinthians 6:12-20). The will of God is that we prevail over the lust of the flesh and evil desires in our hearts (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

My dear friend, please, abstain from alcohol and commit your life totally to God (James 4:7-10). We should endeavor to devote our lives to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ so that we can end our journey well with the Lord and not miss eternity (Acts 2:42; Colossians 1:29; 2 Timothy 2:15; Colossians 3).

Remain Blessed!

©Heavenly Mission



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