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Thread: A Caution For Every Christian That Drinks Alcohol

  1. #1
    Senior Member Valiant Woman's Avatar
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    A Caution For Every Christian That Drinks Alcohol

    "Something disturbing has crept into the american church and it’s not pretty. Many Christians have allowed themselves to take drinking alcohol lightly. Now before you start throwing the legalistic stones at me, let me first make the following clear: I don’t believe drinking alcohol is a sin.

    Of course, getting drunk is. Alcohol is one of the biggest killers in our society, and as always it continues to take a destructive toll on marriages and families.

    But, there’s another problem:

    The often overlooked sin that is rearing its ugly head are Christians displaying their love and consumption of alcohol to those around them in public and on social media, when there are many around them that struggle with this temptation and addiction.

    The Apostle Paul addressed a similar situation when dealing with those in the church arguing over whether they could eat meat sacrificed to idols. Paul declared that even though they had the freedom to eat meat sacrificed to idols, they should love those that struggled with this practice enough to not do it front of them.

    1 Cor. 8:9-13

    "But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble."

    We sin against other Christians and “wound their conscience” (as well as sin against Christ) when we openly act in a way that would cause them to stumble.

    Now, before you say you only do this with others that are like-minded or with your spouse, let me ask the following questions:

    Do you highlight or joke about your drinking in person or on social media (posting pictures of your margarita, wine or bottles of beer)?

    Do you drink in public when there’s a good chance you might meet someone struggling with alcohol?"
    https://www.nathanrouse.org/a-cautio...rinks-alcohol/

    Very good read and solid, sensible arguments against Christians drinking alcohol. Had a lively discussion in our Prayer Group on this topic today during brunch at First Watch. We wound up almost closing the place we sat talking for so long.
    When your praise match your prayers, the answer will come.
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  3. #2
    Senior Member Colonel's Avatar
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    In my church there is no alcohol consumed anywhere but I've heard people talk about drinking alcohol in private including whiskey. And beer as a beverage basically. I'm referring to people who are active in church and have a good reputation, including leaders. The line is still drawn at drunkenness when it comes to private settings. Drinking beer in a restaurant is still seen as a private thing even if strangers are able to watch. It all depends on who is participating along with you and in a church setting there is bound to be recovering alcoholics and people for whom alcohol is a temptation.

  4. #3
    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    I take my liberty and obligation to honor God seriously. The above article is the very reason calling drinking a sin rather than deal with this issue....

    When pastors default there they create a another issue...masking of legalism.

    But the article is correct that those who are mature must be aware that, in this current information age, IMHO due to the false teaching being torn down there may be a epidemic of what I call the pendulum swing...what I mean by that is it will take teachers and pastors possibly a generation to get this issue taught in it's proper perspective and bring balance. Due to the fact that so many believers are not studying the scriptures for themselves but are swallowing whatever is poured into their little baby bird throats. (not demeaning them).

    The mature are absolutely responsible for not making light of this and not jesting in mixed company and even being sensitive to family and friends who may have a problem with it...

    I drink an occasional glass of wine but my husband and I don't talk about it or share this event. He does not believe drinking is a sin but knows HE has a problem with it. He knows I drink on rare occasion and does not judge me or participate and I, on the other hand would never drink in any social event where he is present. In fact he won't even attend one where any form of alcohol is present.

    So in our situation he takes responsibility for his sobriety and I respect him by offering no possible stumbling block...

    I do believe some who are immature will take their liberty unwisely and be a potential stumblingblock.

    So I suppose at the end of the day it is very important for those of us who do KNOW we are our brother's keeper must be sensitive to conversations, where those who don't grasp that responsibility, are unfolding and make sure the truth is presented.

    I think it is important though, that this issue not pendulum swing back to 'drinking is a sin' because some decide it is the easiest way to deal with this problem..rather than present the truth accurately we call it sin so we don't have to deal with it at all...

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    Super Moderator Quest's Avatar
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    In the church setting the leadership must set the pace for the gathering....I believe (instinct mostly)my pastor does not believe an occasional drink is a sin, however he teaches total abstinence as a church doctrine and in any conversation would uphold that doctrine and I honor and respect that. I would be very prayerful if a brother or sister from my church family asked me about this issue before responding....most likely the Holy Spirit would have me lean in the direction of not saying anything that could cause division or rebellion....that is most important IMHO.

    Having said that I still BELIEVE pastors and teachers should step up and gently but scripturally disciple their congregations...

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  8. #5
    Nothing wrong with total abstinence.

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  10. #6
    Senior Member Valiant Woman's Avatar
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    As I've said in the past, I am totally against the drinking of alcohol by pastors and/or ministers. Should they be called upon to minister to someone in need, that person don't need to be smelling alcohol/beer/wine on the minister's breath.

    I don't drink and I put it in the same category as other vices like smoking, gambling, and partying. I don't judge anyone that participates in these vices, but I believe it's a bad witness and I don't want to represent my Lord in that manner. It's difficult enough to win unbelievers, I don't need help by participating in worldly vices. IJS
    When your praise match your prayers, the answer will come.
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  12. #7
    Senior Member Valiant Woman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by curly sue View Post
    Nothing wrong with total abstinence.
    I agree. We should be teaching that to young Christians, especially in today's climate.
    When your praise match your prayers, the answer will come.
    https://www.facebook.com/Valiant-Wom...1103844642026/

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  14. #8
    I've never been drunk. Or really even had more than a taste of beer (YUCK!). I may have half a glass of wine two or three times a year. It's not just my faith that's the cause of my near abstinence. It helps to have grown up around adults who drank too much and knowing I didn't want that kind of life (my best friend's parents were alcoholics. His mom died from it). The other is I really can't stand the taste of alcohol. I really don't "get" why people like it. Also, I simply do not want to be out of control in any way--drugs, alcohol, whatever causes me to not be in control is a "no-no" for me.

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  16. #9
    Senior Member Colonel's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bookman View Post
    I've never been drunk. Or really even had more than a taste of beer (YUCK!). I may have half a glass of wine two or three times a year. It's not just my faith that's the cause of my near abstinence. It helps to have grown up around adults who drank too much and knowing I didn't want that kind of life (my best friend's parents were alcoholics. His mom died from it). The other is I really can't stand the taste of alcohol. I really don't "get" why people like it. Also, I simply do not want to be out of control in any way--drugs, alcohol, whatever causes me to not be in control is a "no-no" for me.
    Sex brings people more out of control than drinking alcohol moderately does. Some natural reactions do as well, including reactions to the working of the Holy Spirit.

  17. #10
    So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John's Avatar
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    Some folks should have a little wine for their many ailments.

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