drinking

[Max Shade]

I drink, mostly wine with meals. Rarely whiskey, no other liquor. Beer with Pizza and Mexican but not apart from that. Tend to do micro-brews, craft beers and other quality beers with pizza and Dos Equis or Negro Modelo with Mexican. Moderation and above all else, very strict personal rules regarding driving. I generally calculate and make sure I am at half or less of the legal limit. No chance of crossing that line.

 

[marcolovesjesus]

I used to drink, but I gave it up in 2007 when God made it clear to me that it isn't something He wants in my life... BOTH drunkenness AND casual drinking. Many people will defend casual drinking because they claim they can control it, and maybe they can... not getting drunk and not going against what the bible says... but...

A major reason I gave up drinking publicly (in front of non-Christians and Christians alike) is because I'm called to be an example of Christ. The drunkenness is obviously wrong, scripture is clear about it, but what the bible says about casual drinking may not be clear to many. Paul, however, makes a statement about being an example to other believers in Romans 14:

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

God used this scripture to make me see His desire for me to be a better example to others.

We have to keep in mind that there are eyes constantly watching us Christians, as if unbelievers are just waiting for us to mess up, to justify that their actions are okay and that they are no different. Jesus was also watched by people, tested as well, to see if he'd fall.

If an unbeliever sees you, a Christian, drinking publicly (not necessarily getting drunk) and then leaves the place you're at, how will that person know whether you're just having one drink or drinking to get drunk? Now that person can easily make a claim that drinking and drunkenness alike are okay because he or she saw a Christian doing it... and, that person may be no different from a Christian after all... so why come to Christ? --- it doesn't take much to turn an unbeliever away from Christ versus bringing one to Christ.

As far as drinking publicly (not necessarily getting drunk) with other Christians. You may be drinking with another Christian that may NOT be like you (someone who can handle a drink and not get drunk), and what if he or she is struggling with alcoholism, trying to give it up but is tempted to do so by your actions because you decide to drink publicly? You've now become a stumbling block to your brother or sister.

Lastly, is it really worth it? Drinking is an act that pleases self. It doesn't edify others. Some drink because they enjoy the taste, others the feeling, but how does drinking really benefit the Kingdom of God? It's obvious that drinking has many cons, but pros?

Drinking (not getting drunk) at home ALONE may be different. You're not directly affecting others around you. No one sees you.......... but God. So this should be something you discuss with God, let him answer that question.

Some questions to ask yourself:
What is your reason for drinking?
Do you want to be the best example of Christ that you can be? ... If yes, will you abstain from alcohol for him?
Do we see Jesus drinking? ... We see him getting his fill from the Holy Spirit.

These are just some things to consider
Ultimately the decision should be made between you and God. Pray about it.

 

[Blackguard_]

but what the bible says about casual drinking may not be clear to many. Paul, however, makes a statement about being an example to other believers in Romans 14:

That Romans 14 verse is about not being a stumbling block to the weak brothers who think drinking or eating meat sacrificed to an idol is a sin, it in no way says that drinking or eating meat is wrong.

You are NOT being an example to others by not drinking, you are simply avoiding offense, but that attitude of yours is part of the problem.

People are only offended by Christians having a couple of drinks if they think the Christian ideal is teetotalism, which it isn't.

If an unbeliever sees you, a Christian, drinking publicly (not necessarily getting drunk) and then leaves the place you're at, how will that person know whether you're just having one drink or drinking to get drunk?

And how will they know you're discussing Bible passages with the girl you're eating with and not trying to seduce her?

There comes a point where trying not to be a stumbling block or have the appearance of evil is more about the unregenerate mind of others than your actions.

Many Romans thought Christians were incestuous cannibals, but that didn't stop them doing what got them labeled that. The Pharisees also called Jesus a drunkard for his drinking.

Now that person can easily make a claim that drinking and drunkenness alike are okay because he or she saw a Christian doing it...

Which is on him, because you weren't even drunk.

and, that person may be no different from a Christian after all... so why come to Christ? -

Because Christianity is about forgiveness and not the transformed life?

As far as drinking publicly (not necessarily getting drunk) with other Christians. You may be drinking with another Christian that may NOT be like you (someone who can handle a drink and not get drunk), and what if he or she is struggling with alcoholism, trying to give it up but is tempted to do so by your actions because you decide to drink publicly? You've now become a stumbling block to your brother or sister.

So don't drink with people you know or seem to be struggling with that. There's also a line between being a stumbling block and the other's responsibility for their own thoughts and actions.

Lastly, is it really worth it? Drinking is an act that pleases self. It doesn't edify others. Some drink because they enjoy the taste, others the feeling, but how does drinking really benefit the Kingdom of God? It's obvious that drinking has many cons, but pros?

So what if it pleases the self? That's some semi-Gnostic nonsense. It can edify others if you're doing it together. Drinking can be a social ritual. Remember how Jesus made wine at a party?

If everything you do has to have some great benefit obvious to the "kingdom of God", is there much you can do?

Also, enjoyment is a benefit. And doesn't Jesus say something about offering a drink to one who is thirsty?

Drinking (not getting drunk) at home ALONE may be different. You're not directly affecting others around you. No one sees you.......... but God.

Problem with that is some of those who see drinking as just a social thing think drinking alone is a sign of alcoholism. Keeping your drinking a secret is seen as such by even more people. You can't please everybody.

What is your reason for drinking?

Because it tastes good, is fun to do with friends, and Jesus told us to.

If you don't publicly drink every Sunday or so, you're not in an (small "o") orthodox church.

Do you want to be the best example of Christ that you can be? ... If yes, will you abstain from alcohol for him?

If I want to be the best example of Christ and follow what he has given us I will drink.

Do we see Jesus drinking? ... We see him getting his fill from the Holy Spirit.

We see Jesus drinking, most clearly in the last supper, and before that he is contrasted to John the Baptist who doesn't.

"For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”" -Luke 7:33-35

Remember, Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine and his last miracle was making his blood present in wine.

Jesus is A-Ok with drinking.

 

[Mariposa36]

I might. Right now, I'm not old enough to drink in the U.S., but I have nothing wrong with responsible drinking. I only weigh like 107-ish pounds, so I can only drink a little bit compared to most people. I'll probably give it a try when I'm old enough, but I'll never be a drunkard or anything like that.

 

[SeekerOfChrist94]

I don't drink as I'm underage, but I don't see a problem with a bottle of beer or a glass of wine every once in a while. As long as it's done responsibly and not just done for the sake of getting drunk, it's fine.