Whatever you do...

[Starise]

1 hour ago, Mama Etna said:

I have a brother who is an alcoholic.  We do have beer in the fridge.  We would not serve the beer to him.  We don't usually serve the beer to visitors unless we know they are light drinkers, such as my brother-in-law.

Agreed. I had no idea this person who was coming to our events was a serious alcoholic, He hid it very well right up until the end. I seen them all as "light drinkers". They never indulged at the events.

[Mike Mclees]

I believe we are admonished to live to be a better example when it comes to those who overindulge because we are representing Christ 

Should we go into a bar with a friend whom you know has a drinking problem.  While you can have a beer and leave the friend can't stop. I t would be better to avoid the bar all together or not drink at all in his presence for his sake.  The church should not reflect that drinking is a choice even in minor indulgence. For the one who has a problem wants any excuse.

Edited December 10, 2021 by Mike Mclees

[missmuffet]

If I were to have social get together which I am not going to do I would not serve alcohol.

[MrBear]

There is no law against a glass of beer or wine as Christians, but if we know someone like my step brother a recovering alcoholic visits we don’t have a glass infront of him as not to be a stumbling block as Paul says

Romans 14:21

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

We must try to lift up and use wise judgment when in the company of other people that we not become that stumbling block 

13:1

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother

even when I did drink I never enjoyed the taste of it, I was trying to  fill a void and later I wasn’t a happy drunk but a mean one, my bitterness took over without restraint, my last bad episode years ago I ended up getting into a fight with my cousin and going through a full length mirror glass shards inches from my eye passed out on the floor and woke up a bloody mess 

Thank the Lord he never exposed me to alcoholism and filled that void with his Holy Spirit .. and I slip from time to time I buy a 12 pack drink 2 beers and I can almost picture God standing there looking and saying in a Fatherly voice  ‘ EHEM! What are you doing ! ‘ ?

I end up dumping the beer down the sink and getting on my knees to thank him for stopping me.. a costly $$ lesson but worth it

We pick things up from our worldly life attitudes, memories, flesh patterns, and addictions and I pray for all those like my s. Brother who struggle with alcoholism and it is our duty ( my duty) to not be a stumbling block to them as Paul points out

God is great, the word let’s us know how we are to act and we do this to reflect our relationship with Him?

Satan finds ways to ensnare us all day and it’s hard to find freedom, But pray and stand fast

We all have temptations we can’t help that, no one can stop thoughts from popping in our heads, but the choice has to be made if we act on those thoughts,. That’s when it becomes sin and Satan loves to make you think you are unique.. that no one else has been tempted like you.  But the evidence is clear just from these forums you are not the only one , many have overcome the weakness to give into temptations and so can you , if you have been tricked into thinking you are the only one and are reading this

Than rest assured the hold Satan has on you CAN be broken despite the lie he is feeding you♥️
Stand firm Brother or Sister, God our Father sees your heart and will indeed free you from the bondage

( got into the spirit there ?)

Stand firm

SHALOM❤️

Edited December 10, 2021 by MrBear

[Dennis1209]

On 12/10/2021 at 9:48 AM, Starise said:

Good Morning Dennis, I'm hanging in there. How have you been? Praise the Lord He took the desire for alcohol away from you!

I very seldom go out and buy alcohol. I'll admit a cold beer on a hot day does taste good. Not long ago I built a small drink area in one of my rooms. It has a wine fridge in it and I pretty quickly had it stocked up. I also have coffee and all kinds of teas in it. That whole idea has taken off like a rock. When we have company over no one ever accepts my offers for tea or coffee. I only have a few beers that were given to me. About the only thing I use it for now is my coffee every morning. The wine has scarcely been touched. Occasionally I'll pull out a bottle and take a glass of it, put the rest in the fridge where most of it goes bad. I guess you would say I'm a VERY occasional drinker as I'm learning. I don't feel guilty when I do drink some if I only have a glass. 

I admit to wondering how people would see me if they see me in the wine store. Lots of times people assume we might be drinking more than we really are. Maybe I should wear a disguise?

Something happened not long ago though that caused me to stop serving it forever at family get togethers. My Nephew who was only in his 30's drank himself to death. I never seen most as anything but persons who 'have a drink' I was naive to the idea that I could be putting fuel on the fire. After that happened. No more.

My following comments are directed at me personally, and the circumstances I face and bear, because of my rebellious and sinful choices. My sins are forgiven by the Grace of God, but nowhere in the Bible does it say nor imply, that the impact to others from my sins, are negated or corrected. 

"You always lose with Mr. Booze." Of the hundreds of times in my life I got drunk, I've tried to think of just one time it was beneficial, or something good came about from it (zero). Then I thought about all the negatives and bad things that resulted (many pages). I not only gave the appearance of evil, I was evil.

Because of my example, my children drink, though nowhere near to the extent that I did. I would be a hypocrite to condemn or chastise my children for drinking. I can now only show by example, tell them about my bad experiences, and share with them what the Lord miraculously did for me. 

I find the advertisement signs at liquor stores around here interesting and telling. On flashing neon signs "Wine and Spirits." I have not researched why and when some liquors are named "spirits", but they are aptly named, and not benevolent spirits for sure.

Some think biblical wine was like Welches grape juice, unfermented? No, it's clear it was fermented from many examples. One being the use of old vs. new wine skin bottles, to allow for expansion of gases and not tear in the fermentation process. The Bible clearly does not condemn the consumption of alcohol in moderate amounts. Just because we are allowed, should we, as in the appearances to others? Again, I'm only directing this thought pertaining to myself.

It appears to be the excessiveness of consumption; whereas, the loss of self-control, impairment and judgment in facilities, and a portal for spirits.

Luke 7:34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! 

1 Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Given the known hygiene, sanitation, water and food borne disease and illnesses back in the second Temple period, it's obvious some wine was encouraged for medicinal purposes. But not to the point of excess and drunkenness. It's a frightful and horrific thought of my former condition and status:

1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

I'm one of those people, who wish they could go back in time, and correct and change their choices and actions, and obviously we cannot. Our Lord has graciously given us some tools to deal with these problems, according to His will, purposes, and His glory. He changed me, as an example that He can do the impossible, what I could not do own my own. 

I can boldly go before the Throne of God, petition and ask Him to change my children's lives, and draw them to Him. I can ask for intercessory prayer from my brothers and sisters in Christ:

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

 

[MrBear]

Yes consumptions in moderation is not prohibited that I can tell it can lead to some bad results no doubt if consumed in large quantities remember one of the first things Noah did was plant a vineyard 

and Lots drunkenness had some bad outcomes with his daughters

But in small moderation I’m not reading anything as even Melkizedek offered bread and wine to Abraham and his men

SHALOM❤️

[Alive]

Too much of many things is bad for us.

Refined sugar is particularly bad--as is any refined carbs.

Even too much water causing hyperhydration will make you drunk and cause brain related and potentiallly fatal affects.

Moderation of all things is wise.

[missmuffet]

5 hours ago, Alive said:

Too much of many things is bad for us.

Refined sugar is particularly bad--as is any refined carbs.

Even too much water causing hyperhydration will make you drunk and cause brain related and potentiallly fatal affects.

Moderation of all things is wise.

I definitely think that sugar is addicting. I have a sweet tooth and I tried to go without any sweet for few days. I is very, very hard.

Our world is addicted to alcohol, caffeine and nicotine. Although nicotine is the less favorable. People will shake their finger at someone who smokes as they are drinking their 6th cup of coffee for the day. 

Not only food but smart phones and computers are addicting. 

Edited December 12, 2021 by missmuffet

[Starise]

I have sat around and had a drink with pastor friends. I say this only to say the act is different depending on the perception of the beholder. 

If a person was caught up in it the way some here have shared, then by all means we don't want to invite any of that. Mutual trust and understanding between friends who know one another see no harm in a glass or two of wine. We don't gather to drink. We gather to fellowship and wine goes good with a meal on occasion. That's pretty much where I'm at with this.

I come from a family where some of the men took that way too far and I have seen first hand where it can lead. To me it's like night and day. Having a drink .vs binge drinking to get drunk. We might not all agree on this though.