alcohol question

[Radagast]

So If im a christian and although I know drinking a beer is not sin but i feel weird or guilty or feel its a bad witness than it is sin to me?

And if I drink a beer anyways and i feel its bad or sin like the bible says cause maybe its not from faith does that mean im living in sin and ill go to hell ?

If you know drinking beer is not a sin, then it is not a sin.

 

[JoshFL]

I guess the drinking in moderation is not a sin and I understand that as long as were not drunk etc.
Here's where I don't know I'm overthinking or being convicted.

If i decide to drink normal and not get drunk etc
what I wrestle with is people judging me and thinking im not a real christian or it ruining my witness.
Even if im not doing it in front of alcoholics, but just the idea people know im having a drink after years of sobriety.
I worry that If there are people that are not christians that dont understand that moderation is okay, that they will get the wrong message and that is "causing a brother to stumble" or a close friend that now sees if im having a drink its okay and maybe it will cause them to stumble or something???
THOUGHTS...

 

[RaymondG]

I guess the drinking in moderation is not a sin and I understand that as long as were not drunk etc.
Here's where I don't know I'm overthinking or being convicted.

If i decide to drink normal and not get drunk etc
what I wrestle with is people judging me and thinking im not a real christian or it ruining my witness.
Even if im not doing it in front of alcoholics, but just the idea people know im having a drink after years of sobriety.
I worry that If there are people that are not christians that dont understand that moderation is okay, that they will get the wrong message and that is "causing a brother to stumble" or a close friend that now sees if im having a drink its okay and maybe it will cause them to stumble or something???
THOUGHTS...

This is simple........Stop drinking......no more worrying. If you have some extra bottles of wine you have to get rid of.....I can take them off your hands.

 

[JoshFL]

Then I worry am I not fully surrendered to God.
Alcohol was clearly intoxicating back in biblical days but we didnt have the epidemic we have now so people look at it a little differently nowadays and if they see christians doing it I feel like they look at it weird. I feel because I worry about that stuff and if I drank anyways I would be sinning or something? Because maybe they dont have knowledge and because they dont know its causing "a weaker brother to stumble" or because they have a negative opinion I am doing something wrong? because im worried about it

 

[JoshFL]

Define faith? If you, like many today, use the words faith and belief interchangeably, then that isn't what faith means. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God... and faith is dead without works/action. So... we hear God through the word and act on what we hear. If He says don't get drunk and you get drunk, you are not living by faith. He didn't say don't drink at all... He said to remain sober.

thats a good point! do you personally drink?
I just feel like im doing something wrong
i dont know if im overthinking or convicted.

I feel by me drinking im not living how i should or something and that it will throw people off or something.

 

[JoshFL]

Maybe it’s just the associations you make in your own mind with drinking beer? For example, my grandad was a Baptist minister but one who appreciated good wine, he never drank to excess but would regularly drink a glass or 2. So that’s always been a good association for me. Might be worth thinking through what it is that affects how you feel about drinking a beer, given that it’s not the fact of drinking a beer itself that is a problem for you, but how you feel about it.

I just feel im living wordly or something by having a drink or two? Although its not a sin as long as were not getting drunk my mind just thinks like am I being a bad example?

 

[durangodawood]

I just feel im living wordly or something by having a drink or two? Although its not a sin as long as were not getting drunk my mind just thinks like am I being a bad example?

Speaking of examples, I do find it telling that Bible has Jesus making wine for other people.

I mean, is there a bigger endorsement than that?

 

[Tom 1]

I just feel im living wordly or something by having a drink or two? Although its not a sin as long as were not getting drunk my mind just thinks like am I being a bad example?

Are you thinking of someone specific that you are worried of being a bad example to? Maybe if you think someone is taking you having a couple of beers is a licence for them to drink then that would be an issue. If not then people might find you easier to relate to if you have the odd beer, I mean people you might want to be reaching out to at some point.

 

[Par5]

I just feel im living wordly or something by having a drink or two? Although its not a sin as long as were not getting drunk my mind just thinks like am I being a bad example?

I am sure most people would agree that drinking alcohol responsibly is a sensible thing to do and drinking responsibly can reduce the risk of future health problems associated with a high alcohol intake over the years. Alcohol makes some people aggressive at a certain point, some end up becoming alcoholics and this can cause huge problems in their lives for both them and their loved ones, but just having a beer or two is a pleasurable experience, so enjoy the experience. There is no need to go on a guilt trip, you are not trying to drink the brewery dry.
I know this thread is about alcohol and people have expressed the view that taking alcohol is living outside of their faith and I assume they say that because alcohol has the potential to disrupt peoples lives physically and socially and if that is the case then obesity is equally a problem. Just as too much alcohol is a problem, so is too much food. Too many burgers, fries and sugary drinks cause huge health problems and if overeating that leads to obesity is also considered living outside one's faith, then a lot of Christians are living outside of their faith.
Eating and drinking is a pleasurable experience, and although it is wise to not overindulge, a little bit of what you fancy never did anyone any harm. No "sin" involved. Cheers!

 

[Dave-W]

Heres my question.
The bible says whatever is not faith is sin..
So If im a christian and although I know drinking a beer is not sin but i feel weird or guilty or feel its a bad witness than it is sin to me?

Yes.

And if I drink a beer anyways and i feel its bad or sin like the bible says cause maybe its not from faith does that mean im living in sin and ill go to hell ?

Yes and no. If you continue to sin, you are living in sin. And if you are doing it intentionally, then you graduate from sin up to transgression.

But the sin would NOT be the alcohol; rather it is the violation of your own faith.

But the good news is that sin is not what sends you to hell; it is unbelief. If you are still believing in and clinging to Messiah's death burial and resurrection for you, you will be saved.

 

[Dave-W]

If i decide to drink normal and not get drunk etc
what I wrestle with is people judging me and thinking im not a real christian or it ruining my witness.

Our Lord never cow-towed down to the hard nosed legalists of his day.

And what exactly is the witness that you are supposing to ruin? That you are a hard nosed anti-alcohol legalist as well?

 

[Ken Rank]

thats a good point! do you personally drink?
I just feel like im doing something wrong
i dont know if im overthinking or convicted.

I feel by me drinking im not living how i should or something and that it will throw people off or something.

On occasion. Our congregation, when doing communion, offer both grape juice and wine and allow each person to take according to their own convictions. Saying this, I am not encouraging you to do anything beyond what you are convicted of.

 

[Dave-W]

On occasion. Our congregation, when doing communion, offer both grape juice and wine and allow each person to take according to their own convictions.

I know many congregations that do that.

After all, we should not be serving alcoholic wine to those under the legal age.