Communicating Convictions
Alcohol…what makes it a pleasure for some and offensive to others? Why is alcohol not universally accepted like other beverages? All are drinks, are they not? Is it wrong to drink alcohol? What is the big deal? All these questions! But where do we go for answers? Please read on.
As a Christian, my standard for determining right from wrong is the Bible, God’s Holy Word. It is the source for my answers in every situation. God has given us His Word, not for us to be overwhelmed and bound by the rules and regulations, but to provide us with instructions for following a path toward holiness. So with this in mind, let us take a look at a few verses.
Ephesians 5:18 says: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” To me, this verse is saying a person should be filled with the Spirit rather than be excessively filled with alcohol. In most cases, consumption of alcoholic beverages hinders a person from being consciously aware of his actions and words. How then, can a drunken person be walking in the Spirit? Most importantly, we should ask ourselves the following question: Which one will fill us with something of eternal value? Will drinking alcohol allow a person to be in the proper state of mind, to witness and share the love of Christ with others as the Bible commands?
Proverbs 23:21 states: “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” I am not sure about you, but I do not want my choices to leave me in a state of poverty. Proverbs 20:1 reads, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” Is wine honoring to God?
I believe God’s purpose for the Bible is to give us instruction on how to live holy lives. With this in mind, I do not believe alcohol fits into the purpose of a sanctified life. Instead, alcohol would seem to detract a person from living fully for God.
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