Is it wrong to drink?

[GloryToGod!]

I'm Italian and since the age of about 7 or 8 I was always

given a tiny glass of wine to dring with my meal. This happened only

when we were going to dinner at my grandparents on a Sunday.

So I grew up with the idea that drinking was no big deal.

Once in a while I might still have a glass wine but that's it.

I never get drunk and have not ever felt convicted.

That's my story!

Kathy

[tsth]

From the Alcoholism and Sin thread:

I'm sorry for such a long post, but if you've ever had to deal with Alcoholism, you'd feel differently about social drinking and the effects it may have on others, that you're not even aware of.

In His Love,

Suzanne

I want to just give this testimony. For me, the turning point/clencher was this:

Romans 14:14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

I began to have doubts about my own drinking, in light of the alcoholism. So it became sin for me.

Especially knowing what was happening with regard to alcoholism with my own family members, I could no longer convince myself that drinking was alright. It wasn't, and in my heart, I knew it. I knew that alcoholism was affecting many in this day and time. God's Word then compelled me to do something different, because I believed what He said, and I knew that I needed to care for the welfare of others as well as myself.

I really enjoyed wine, but Jesus Himself said:

Matthew 26:29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

I decided I would wait and drink wine in the day when there was no alcoholism and drunkenness.....when we drink it "anew".

In His Love,

Suzanne

Drinking one beer or a glass of wine with a meal does not bother me and certainly it is not a sin. However we should not do it around those who have an alcohol addiction however and we must not be drunk. If we can't do that, we should not drink alcohal at all.

Personally, I theink it's safer to never take the first drink. You don't find out you are an alcoholic and can't stop til you take the first drink.

I agree kat, not to mention, that those who are struggling with alcoholism, are not easily identified at first. It is only after they are far into the sin that it becomes identifiable. That is why drinking/social drinking is such a stumbling block. I can't tell you how many times, that I took a drink around those who had no idea that for me, that 1 drink would affect the whole way of my evening. These were family members and some friends who were "social" drinking around me AND my mother, not knowing that it was a terrible stumbling block. They did not realize how much, until further down the road, and even then, they were not quickly accomodating in regard to social drinking, and NOT doing it around us.

In His Love,

Suzanne

Also, in regard to:

Romans 14:14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

1 Cor. 10:23 "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

1 Cor. 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God-- 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

In His Love,

Suzanne

Alcoholism is extremely destructive. It cannot be dealt with without Truth. We can try and deny it, but it will eventually MAKE us deal with it.

As Christians, we are given biblical instruction for how to deal with another believer in regard to these things, after they are brought to light and not repented of, or acknowledged, yet many do not agree with the practice that is implemented in God's Own Word.

With my own mother, our family, had to experience a period of broken fellowship, in order for her to come to a point of realizing she HAD to acknowledge the problem. She did not have a reason to before that, because for a time, we kept trying to pretend that it didn't exist, or would go away on it's own. It didn't. As I said above, with alcholism, it will get to a point of MAKING YOU DEAL WITH IT, because it will get progressively worse, and progressively reckless, and life-threatening.

1 Cor. 5:11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

We really have to deal with alcoholism in a very honest and willful manner for a person to be delivered from it.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Tehilah Ba'Aretz]

Suzanne,

I have been in the ministry for over 30 years and I have had to deal with several kinds of addictions over the years. Personally, I was once addicted to pills (As a young hippie) and I smoked my share of pot during that same period. I have been to the bottom and now I've been serving God for a fairly long time. I say that to say that I agree with you. All addictions are extremely difficult and any hindrance that comes from a brother can be devastating. The rules apply to every sort of addiction. You harm a glutton by eating huge portions of food in their presence. You harm a person addicted to pornography if you tell dirty jokes. You harm a lazy man if you show yourself to be lazy. These and many other things are kinds of addictions. We, as believers, are gifted with the option of providing support for the weaker ones among us. It doesn't mean I caused the addiction or that I can cure it but it does mean that I will be held accountable if I cause the weak one to stumble.

[kat8585]

One never knows til they've had their first drink whether they are alcoholic. If they find they are, it's too late and they and everyone they love could go thru many years of pure hell (been there with several loved ones).

I used to drink when I went out, but one of the first things the Lord told me was to not do it any more.

There is just no reason to, imo.

[Blien]

You guys all posted really great things, its nice to hear everyone's experiences and different customs in different countries. Just wanted to say that

[Shad]

To add to my first post If I was knowledgeable of someone in my presence that has battled or is battling alcoholism I would never ever drink in front of them. That being said though if I'm out in public at say a restraunt and john doe on the other side of the building is a recovering alcoholic how am I supposed to know that??

IMO while I sympathize with him at the same time just like any other demon we as christians face be it pornography, adultery, whatever it may be there comes a time when you have to have the will power to not want to do it and to turn to god for strength. And yes I know that's easier said than done but I also know our god can help us do anything if we just ask and have faith.

[kat8585]

To add to my first post If I was knowledgeable of someone in my presence that has battled or is battling alcoholism I would never ever drink in front of them. That being said though if I'm out in public at say a restraunt and john doe on the other side of the building is a recovering alcoholic how am I supposed to know that??

IMO while I sympathize with him at the same time just like any other demon we as christians face be it pornography, adultery, whatever it may be there comes a time when you have to have the will power to not want to do it and to turn to god for strength. And yes I know that's easier said than done but I also know our god can help us do anything if we just ask and have faith.

My point was how will YOU know you're an alcoholic til it may be too late?

[Smalcald]

There are numerous indicators one can look at to understand alcoholism and if one is an alcoholic or not.

From a Christian view though the bottom line is if you are drunk it is a problem and sin. So even if you are never an alcoholic but still get drunk on some nights or once a month or whatever, you are in sin on this issue.

Of course what is drunkenness? Well one simple guide is how much can our body metabolite? The answer to that is that for most people you should never drink more than one or two, that

[exrockstar]

Is it wrong to drink? I know the bible says it is wrong to become intoxicated, and even in the bible Jesus and his disciples drank wine (probably plenty of times), but it was probably of a different potency back in those times. However, I was wondering is it wrong to drink champagne? Smirnoff? Wine, mixed drinks, things of that nature?

Now, I know the first question might be ... have you checked your spirit about this? Or, why do you want to drink in the first place, but I already have. I was one whom many times drank in excess, but I have recently cut that all ou because I felt a churning in my spirit against it, and honestly have no real access to it. I believe its a poor choice to deal and skate by life getting drunk every chance I got. I do, however, enjoy the taste of some of the things I did drink ... and I was wondering should I cut myself off completely?

Thoughts?

drink in moderation.

[Carol R]

Hi,

I agree it is a personal choice, we should always follow the teaching of the bible for sure.

For me personally I dont drink now and that is because I went through a really hard time as a single parent and found it very lonely before God came into my life, I also found that alcohol made me very weepy and I felt really sorry for myself too. I never drank often and not much either but it had an effect on my emotional health.

God has taken me through all of this and also told me not to drink, its now been nearly 8 years since I have had a drink, I was never an alcoholic for that I was blessed but I do understand the issues that can arise. I now don't miss it.

At church for communion we have grape juice rather than wine too.

I on occasion go out for meals with work mates and they may have a drink but I always just have coke or something else non alcoholic. I never stay out at any event where people are likely to get drunk I always go home earlier. I do feel that I am to go to some of these events but not to partake in everything. Jesus went to weddings and to eat with people too. We are not better than them but by grace are changed.

Each of us has to decide what we can and cannot do and thats where the Holy Spirit comes in. It is ok for some and not others.