Do you drink alcoholic beverages?

[NewSong]

I did vote no. While I was growing up I watched my dad's brother die an alcoholic death. It was lonely! It was painful! It was hard on family to watch. Then my sister-in-law became a closet drinker and had a liver transplant a few years ago as a result. She came very close to the grave. Thankfully God rescued her, my uncle and our family from the dreadful disease of alcoholism. My husband died as a result of alcoholism and complications from other addictions.

Do I believe it is okay to have a drink? Not for me it isn't. I used to drink. I partied and drank with the best of them to the pits of hell. I used to do things I never even want to remember under the influence because all inhibitions were gone and I was more daring in my judgments and choices. For me the day I stopped drinking (father's day, 1981) was the best day of my life. I didn't do it for religious purposes though I am sure GOD has been glorified in my about face and my former father-in-law turned his life around as a direct result and he reckoned with God finally. I will say that I know that God permits some but for me it is a down right sin in most cases to drink. There are always people looking on such as my youngest brother when I started and never in my wildest dreams did I believe I could influence anyone but it did. As sad as it is, I have a lot on my conscience and a lot that has gone that was a direct result of starting to drink socially. Would I if I drink if I were in a cultural situation where it would be more offensive not to? Yes I would have the table manners and become all things to all men that I might win some. Will God put me in a situation like that? Probably not because HE is the one who requires out of me not to drink and I honor that over above doctrine, health reasons, social reasons and any other reason. I have so many reasons not to drink alcoholic beverages but that doesn't make me better than those who do choose to have a drink now and then. Enough sermons from me.

 

[lyonguard]

I believe it is a sin to get drunk but I believe there is enough scripture to support that drinking is not a sin. If I am around someone who believes drinking is wrong, I will not drink.

 

[IowaPastor]

I voted no.

I don't drink...and have never really been tempted to do so. Oh, I suppose I've been curious but not curious enough to try. Besides, the smell of beer makes me sick. As my mentor said, one time, "You'll never regret having a Sprite; many people have regretted not having a Sprite." (My mentor, before he became a pastor was a drug/alcohol depedancy counselor.)

Why I don't drink is my up bringing...my mom had no time for it and was VERY negative and hateful about it. This spirit and attitude extended to the church I grew up in too (not UMC--it was Free Methodist).

As a side note, I had a great (or great-great) uncle who was an alcoholic...so, I suppose it's best for me not to take any chances.

I do want to say that I don't judge people who drink. I know that just because a person drinks (whether occassionally or whether it's an addiction), they are still worthy of my love, respect, and time. Jesus came, suffered, bled, died, and rose again for them. I don't have to agree with the behavior though.

Be Blessed,

 

[Alex-C-L]

I drink both before and after becoming a christian. I think its better to abstain but that is easier said than done. Also in England its very hard to be a non drinking christian. Many of the churches [18/30s groups] have socials and life groups in pubs. I think in the U.S.A things maybe different but here its an integral part of christian culture as well.

 

[peacechild4]

I did vote no. While I was growing up I watched my dad's brother die an alcoholic death. It was lonely! It was painful! It was hard on family to watch. Then my sister-in-law became a closet drinker and had a liver transplant a few years ago as a result. She came very close to the grave. Thankfully God rescued her, my uncle and our family from the dreadful disease of alcoholism. My husband died as a result of alcoholism and complications from other addictions.

Do I believe it is okay to have a drink? Not for me it isn't. I used to drink. I partied and drank with the best of them to the pits of hell. I used to do things I never even want to remember under the influence because all inhibitions were gone and I was more daring in my judgments and choices. For me the day I stopped drinking (father's day, 1981) was the best day of my life. I didn't do it for religious purposes though I am sure GOD has been glorified in my about face and my former father-in-law turned his life around as a direct result and he reckoned with God finally. I will say that I know that God permits some but for me it is a down right sin in most cases to drink. There are always people looking on such as my youngest brother when I started and never in my wildest dreams did I believe I could influence anyone but it did. As sad as it is, I have a lot on my conscience and a lot that has gone that was a direct result of starting to drink socially. Would I if I drink if I were in a cultural situation where it would be more offensive not to? Yes I would have the table manners and become all things to all men that I might win some. Will God put me in a situation like that? Probably not because HE is the one who requires out of me not to drink and I honor that over above doctrine, health reasons, social reasons and any other reason. I have so many reasons not to drink alcoholic beverages but that doesn't make me better than those who do choose to have a drink now and then. Enough sermons from me.

Thank you for what you shared.. Praise God..

 

[ExtremeDays]

No way, no thanks.
1.Drinking not only effects the body but more importantly the mind and judgment. This is connected to ones soul and the ability to discern right, to make sound judgments and decisions.

Even the secular and godless would agree, that’s why the laws only allow .something alcohol level in ones blood. In my state it only takes 1 beer or a few ounces of wine to reach that level. This certainly says something, like it isn’t wise to drink. As a Christian Bible says I should have a sound mind and be wise, not act foolish like those that don’t know any better. I want to stay clear headed and able to discern rightly. I want to walk in wisdom.The Bible says not to tempt God. Sticking my finger in a light socket won’t send me to hell, but why should I do it?

2. Why should I drink (instead of just being reactionary- and thinking well why shouldn‘t I?), what’s the point? There are safer wiser ways to relax and have fun. I want to be intoxicated with God and His Kingdom. I still like to have a "good time", but I know now there are better ways.

3. I wouldn’t want to have a hand in influencing/encouraging those who have less self-control, to stumble and fall into sin.

4. Been there and done that. I don’t want to be like a dog going back to it’s vomit. I don’t think it’s cool/hip anymore. I know now alcohol doesn‘t enhance “fellowship“ with others.

5. My experience has been over 20 yrs., that those who recreationally drink alcohol aren’t very wise about other things in their lives as well. Usually these are the same people who have no problem swearing, are careless about what they watch and listen to etc… I’ve seen their manner of living and that’s not what I want (or believe the Bible wants me ) to emulate/imitate.


This is more like the real thing and not a counterfeit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jDUQJZkuEo

 

[New_Wineskin]

no - it doesn't interest me - that is it - nothing deep

 

[RisingAbove]

Yes, on occasion, but never around those I know will stumble because of this issue.

I do love me a margarita or frozen alcoholic drink, but sometimes the virgin kind tastes just as good.

 

[LaffyTaffy]

We just had this discussion in Sunday School this past Sunday.

I don't drink - never have - because I don't like it, but as I listened to the people talk about how it is sinful to drink I became very angry because when they say all drinking is wrong - then they're calling Jesus a sinner. I spoke up at that point, but it was not received well at all.

There has to be a balance somewhere, but when it's cut off altogether, I fear there is a danger of becoming like the Pharisees - making all sorts of laws just to MAKE SURE we don't sin. I tend to be of the belief that Jesus was just as hard on that kind of attitude as He was on rebellion.

 

[RisingAbove]

There has to be a balance somewhere, but when it's cut off altogether, I fear there is a danger of becoming like the Pharisees - making all sorts of laws just to MAKE SURE we don't sin. I tend to be of the belief that Jesus was just as hard on that kind of attitude as He was on rebellion.

I give you a holy-rollin' on that statement!

 

[ydouxist]

Only on occasions. Mostly just wine. It never was a problem for me personally. I understand it is for others. It just not one of mine. If I'm around someone who has or has had a drinking problem then I won't drink.

 

[dayhiker]

no, achaholic drinks taste bad ...

 

[Ave Maria]

Yes, I do drink alcoholic beverages. I don't see anything wrong with drinking alcohol in moderation.

 

[Tenebrae]

I enjoy a Guinness every now and then.

Saying I enjoy it means I savor every frothy sip. It's better than pie.

By every now and then I mean a 6-pack lasts about four months in my fridge.

The last bottle of wine I drunk took me about 12 weeks to consume.

I will have a couple of drinks every now and then, however thats about 1-2 every 2-5 months

My dad is an alcoholic, and not wanting to test the "alcoholism is genetic theory" I choose to be very careful with how much I drink

 

[Tamara224]

The last bottle of wine I drunk took me about 12 weeks to consume.

Wasn't it pretty much pure vinegar by the time you finished it?

 

[Tenebrae]

Ah, yes, that is called "hyponatremia" a condition resulting when the plasma levels of Sodium [natrium] get too low, due to [and I kid you not] "chronic water intoxication" aka hyperhydration or water poisioning. It's often asymptomatic [until they keel over] and due to excessive amounts of water intake in a short time, resulting in hypersecretion of electrolytes without replenishing them.

I had a client that ended up in intensive care in an induced coma from drinking too much water

 

[Tenebrae]

Wasn't it pretty much pure vinegar by the time you finished it?

Pretty much, thats why I had to bin the remnanents.

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

I voted 'no'

Alcoholism runs in my family down the female side of my dad's family. Before I was saved I drank too much (our wonderful UK binge drinking culture). I have been capable in the past of drinking a whole bottle of red wine in one night and still be standing - not something to boast, about I hasten to add but more of a big neon warning sign for me to not go near the stuff now.

 

[pinetree]

naaaa,of course we all see the same things as me after my wine with dinner.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Why or why not

Let's not argue about it - just give your point of view.

No..
I have seen to many lives ruined to do it, endorse it, or enable others to do it by approving it.

Proverbs 20:1 KJV
(1) Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.