One of the most popular topics that comes up with Christians, probably top 5 right on up there with tithing, it drinking alcohol. I have watched Christians shredded each other over this topic, so I wanted to write about it and give my point of view on it. I am a recovering social alcoholic. Many people don’t know that I was one and how bad I struggled with drinking. But because of the Lord, I have been sober since 2015. So I feel like I can come at this topic with a bit more of understanding of what the bible says and I can sort of be in the middle of those who drink and those who have never drank. If you are a Christian who drinks, please read this with an open mind and please don’t see this as an attack or “I’m a better Christian than you (holier than thou type of deal).
- “But Jesus turned water into wine and drank wine.” This is the go to defense many Christians like to use. My thoughts on that is this: He also cast out devils, made the lame walk, brought the dead back to life and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, but nobody is doing any of that. But let’s hold tight to Jesus drank wine. So why do we jump straight to the whole Jesus drank wine as an excuse for us to? Let’s be honest, it is an excuse to do something that your flesh wants to do. We are told many times in the bible to be sober minded, or to be sober and vigilant. I believe when we are told to be sober, it’s talking about more than just alcohol, but since this is about drinking, let’s stick to that side of it. So, when do we stop being sober? One beer? One Shot? One bottle? One sip. Yes, one sip and you are no longer sober. “But one sip never hurt anything.” Well you apparently have never been an alcoholic or someone who knows an alcoholic. One sip has torn families and people apart. No one became an alcoholic or relapsed by downing a bottle of whiskey, no it started with one sip. A lot of bad choices come from just one sip. It also makes us say things we normally wouldn’t say, which can also break relationships up.
- Many people turn to alcohol when they feel they need to fill a void, something that is missing or to forget a problem you’re having. But, the answer to that won’t be found at the bottom of a whiskey bottle or beer bottle, whatever your poison of choice. You will wake up in the morning with the same problem and whatever was missing is still missing except now you also have a bad hangover to go along with it. There is something can fill that void your feeling, that missing piece, and that is Jesus, plain and simple. Jesus and Jesus alone.
- It hurts us as Christians. We should be different from the world. How do we stand out if we look exactly like the world? It tarnishes your testimony. It really does, which is what satan wants. Drinking can also hurts your brother and sisters in Christ and also a lost person. You never know what someone is struggling with and you could be a stumbling block for them. I want people to know that they can come to me with their problems or addictions and know that I am not going to give advice and then turn around and go drink. I don’t want anyone to see me a “do as I say not as I do” type of Christian. You never know when someone is going to come to you needing help or advice. You want to make sure you give clear sober minded advice and not drunk advice.
So sure you can use the reason of Jesus drank wine and we can go back and forth about it. But I ask for you to dig a little deeper into your bible and pray about it. In the New Testament, sober is used 15 times, 5 of those times being in Titus alone. We are to teach the younger Christians (not age but according to their walk) and we are to be examples to others. Our children and other people’s children are looking up to us. We need to start really looking at what we do. I always look at things this way when I need to figure if something is right or wrong. This covers drinks, actives, books, t.v. shows/movies, dress, you get the point. I ask myself most of these 7 questions:
- Does it grow me as a Christian?
- Does it grow my relationship with Jesus or does it take away from that?
- Does it grow and help me as a wife and mother?
- Would I do it with Jesus sitting next to me?
- What does the bible say about it?
- Does it go against what I believe?
- Does it bring glory to the Lord?
Let’s be sober. Let’s be aware. Satan is looking to have us slip up and not be on guard. So if you are a Christian who drinks, please take these points into consideration and the bible verses below.
Be Blessed and Grow in the Lord,
Christine
Bible Verses:
2 Cor. 5:13, 1 Thes 5:6-8, 1 Tim 3:2,11, Titus 1:8, Titus 2:2-6,12, 1 Peter 4:7, 5:8, Eph 5:18
dirt road soul 