Contributed by VBC Grad and IIID Pastor Mark Kresge .
What does the Bible really say about drinking alcohol as a Christian? With so many opinions flying around out there about drinking as a Christian sometimes it can be difficult to know where to stand on the issue. Because there are many church leaders disagreeing on what scripture teaches, it leaves many confused about what’s right. Let’s take a look at the debate…
Within the Church we find three common views on alcohol consumption:
1. Prohibition
: Alcohol is evil, and should never be touched.
2. Abstention:
Alcohol isn’t evil, but is to be abstained from because it isn’t beneficial.
3. Moderation:
Alcohol isn’t evil, and one can enjoy it, as long as one doesn’t become intoxicated.
The reality is we find ourselves in an interpretive challenge. Scholars on both sides of the issue interpret wine differently to mean fermented or unfermented. It seems no one can place their finger on what biblical wine was really like. On top of interpretive challenges we live in a culture where alcohol is extremely prevalent and commercialized. So when we find ourselves in the middle of a gray matter, how are we to know what to do?
There was a church in Ephesus that faced similar circumstances. The Apostle Paul was writing to believers who were living in the middle of a culture that was very dark. This was a culture where drunkenness and sexual immorality were a part of their religious practice.
In the midst of this, Paul instructs them to be ones who walk in the light.
As Paul instructs them to be people of the light, they started asking the same question you and I ask ourselves;
How?!
So Paul explains…
Ephesians 5:15-18
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.
He drives home this point that in order to be someone who walks in the
LIGHT,
we must be people of
WISDOM.
Wisdom has a voice that will help us find abundant life if we will only listen.
So what does wisdom say to us?
Watch your walk.
Be careful about where you place your steps. Don’t be the kind of person who walks as close to the line as you can. Those are people who eventually find themselves living with regret. Don’t be the person who flirts with sin because sin will ruin your life. Tip toeing with the line of sin is not beneficial for you or others you’re connected to.
When it comes to the topic of drinking so many get stuck on the question of whether or not it’s a sin to have a drink? I would ask, “Is it wisdom?” Personally I believe one drink is not a sin, drunkenness is, but the line between is very thin. It is wisdom in any gray matter to be the person who watches their walk by avoiding dangerous territory. I’ve found that I rarely find myself near the line of sin when I make my focus living a life of light. Ultimately, that is God’s will for all of us as believers. I’m not sure if even having one drink would help me watch my walk.
Make the most of your influence.
Because we all have influence with someone, we should be people who are responsible with our opportunity to influence others. Because we live in a culture that’s dark, God calls us to be different (of the light) so that we can bring change to the culture around us.
As a leader, there are people that I influence through my actions and example. The truth is that there are people who can probably handle one glass of wine, or perhaps one drink, but there are others who cannot.
For many, one drink begins a spiraling lifestyle to destruction, and as someone with influence, I don’t desire to be one who contributes to that.
Be filled with the Spirit.
Lastly, Paul says,
“Don’t be drunk because that will ruin your life, but instead be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
I often have conversations with young adults about drinking, and whether or not it is permissible as a believer. I normally ask the question, “Why do you like to drink? Is it for comfort, peace from anxiety, boldness, or perhaps some joy?” What Paul teaches the church, and what I have learned, is that the Spirit gives what alcohol promises.
If you need joy, peace, boldness, or comfort, then look to the Spirit of God who is looking to fill every area of your life.
Don’t allow alcohol to be a cheap counterfeit for what God can give.
Wisdom says- Watch your walk, Make the most of your influence, and Be filled with the Spirit.
When I’m walking in wisdom, I don’t have time for a drink.