I have a few questions about alcohol and being a christian.

[JoshFL]

Ok so years ago before I was of age to drink I started drinking alcohol "which clearly was a sin because I was underage I understand that" I ended up staying sober for almost 4 years and not drinking anything.

As of recent now being of age "23" I thought to myself.
I'm a responsible adult. I am going to try and have a beer or so.

My entire life I have been taught you are not a good christian if you drink or that it is just bad.
Clearly I know now after my own research moderation is the key. Drunkenness is a sin.

Here's where Im at and I would like some input/advice.

I recently tried to have a beer and then I had another.
For some reason although I was just having one I felt wrong and guilty
So at that point I was like Im already sinning I might as well drink more. So I had a few more.

Basically long story short. I would like to have a beer or two
"Because I legitimately enjoy the taste of beer and all the craft options" but even if I have one or two and do it normal and not get drunk or anything I feel like im doing something wrong and that it is hindering my personal relationship with him.

I just cant tell if its me overthinking and feeling guilty because I think its wrong because of how Ive been taught my whole life or if its a real conviction.
Sometimes I feel its more a conviction also because it seems I have been lead to several verses pertaining to my situation


Whatever is not of faith is sin

Romans 14:23
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.

"So my question to this is, if I feel guilty and like im doing something wrong" Im sinning and would that send me to hell"
? (Because I would be living in sin, knowingly or something"


Also I worry I wouldnt be a good witness "Although I would be responsible and not drink around alcoholics, or the church etc and I would do in comfort of home or not around certain people" I feel like im doing something wrong.

Hebrews 12:1
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run the race marked out for us,





I feel like a lot of scriptures have pointed to me not drinking but I guess I just dont see the problem if im doing it normal.

I just want to honor God but I also like the taste of beer and I dont want to do anything wrong...
Like I said if I have one or two, I feel like im doing something wrong which brings me back to romans 14:23


I also think im getting convicted because I see a lot of my favorite pastors etc that dont drink and it makes me see how on fire they are and it makes me think, is it because they dont have alcohol in their lives etc


Currently I dont drink and have refrained until I get all of this stuff figured out. Maybe I will continue to not drink at all, but before I do decide to have a another beer or glass or wine I would like some info..

Please serious answers only, not just throwing answers and quick opinions.

 

[Tolworth John]

Basically long story short. I would like to have a beer or two
"Because I legitimately enjoy the taste of beer and all the craft options" but even if I have one or two and do it normal and not get drunk or anything I feel like im doing something wrong and that it is hindering my personal relationship with him.

Simple question. Why do you drink beer etc?
Is it as you've posted because you like the taste, or is it a way to socialise with a couple of buddies, or part of the process of getting drunk?

There is nothing sinful in have an alcholholic drink, Jesus drank wine, he turn 100 gallons of water into wine at a wedding.

You are an adult so stay sober, don't drink and drive.
Enjoy a beer or wine with a meal and with your buddies.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Clearly I know now after my own research moderation is the key.

I think it might be
Best to get a copy of David Wilkerson's book "Sipping Saints" ....

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

I have a deep connection to people who drink. Not because I drink, but because my mother is/can be an abusive alcoholic.

Why do you drink and do you get drunk? I believe if you drink to escape something and you do it all the time and also get drunk, then its a sin and dangerous. In my moms case she turns to alcohol to get relief from stress in life. Granted alot of the stress has to do with her own actions that she could prevent.

She says it dulls literal pain, emotional pain...etc. And I am sure it does. Most people have things they turn to for relief. However when these things become disruptive in our life or cause us to turn to them more then God, its a dangerous thing and a sin.

Shes to the point of drinking every night so and living in self pity. So now she never makes church anymore. Complains about everything. Doesn't really seem to open her bible or even a daily devotional. I don't think I even see her pray anymore. She can still talk the talk as a christian, but she doesn't seem to walk the walk.

Christian aspect aside, ger drinking may be damaging her body and what not, buts hurting those of us around her even more. My father, myself and my wife all are stuck hearing her yell or sob like "Lifes so terrible" around her. It stresses us out and makes us grumpy. If we here her get loud or whatever, we get annoyed and it ruins our day.

Now she admits at times she wish she wouldn't drink, but she takes no steps to fix it. Especially with God, she does not seem to turn to Him.

Obviously I am not saying you are like my mom of course, my moms pretty extreme. But what I am saying is don't get hooked on drinking forever because it never ends well.

Its good to hear your restraining for now. Like I said I don't think its a sin to have a or beer every so often, its tastes good (well so I am told, I don't drink). Just don't make it a habit. Maybe find something else you like to drink more. A tea, a soda, a fruit juice...anything really. Or maybe find another way to unwind. For me I love videos online and gaming with my wife and friends when we meet up. But I am good at moderation with all of it.

I still pray every day for strength in all I do and strength to never let my things I use to unwind never become my idol.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

There's a hundred reasons may be said every day, to drink alcohol, and many multitudes use those reasons.
There's one reason not to drink ever. Only the few ever use that reason.

 

[JoshFL]

There's a hundred reasons may be said every day, to drink alcohol, and many multitudes use those reasons.
There's one reason not to drink ever. Only the few ever use that reason.

Could you explain please <3 thanks

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Could you explain please <3 thanks

It's in the book I posted about. We can't discuss it here.

 

[Goatee]

Alcohol is ok. As long as u know your limit and don't go over the top!

 

[Serving Zion]

Ok so years ago before I was of age to drink I started drinking alcohol "which clearly was a sin because I was underage I understand that" I ended up staying sober for almost 4 years and not drinking anything.

As of recent now being of age "23" I thought to myself.
I'm a responsible adult. I am going to try and have a beer or so.

My entire life I have been taught you are not a good christian if you drink or that it is just bad.
Clearly I know now after my own research moderation is the key. Drunkenness is a sin.

Here's where Im at and I would like some input/advice.

I recently tried to have a beer and then I had another.
For some reason although I was just having one I felt wrong and guilty
So at that point I was like Im already sinning I might as well drink more. So I had a few more.

Basically long story short. I would like to have a beer or two
"Because I legitimately enjoy the taste of beer and all the craft options" but even if I have one or two and do it normal and not get drunk or anything I feel like im doing something wrong and that it is hindering my personal relationship with him.

I just cant tell if its me overthinking and feeling guilty because I think its wrong because of how Ive been taught my whole life or if its a real conviction.
Sometimes I feel its more a conviction also because it seems I have been lead to several verses pertaining to my situation


Whatever is not of faith is sin

Romans 14:23
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.

"So my question to this is, if I feel guilty and like im doing something wrong" Im sinning and would that send me to hell"
? (Because I would be living in sin, knowingly or something"


Also I worry I wouldnt be a good witness "Although I would be responsible and not drink around alcoholics, or the church etc and I would do in comfort of home or not around certain people" I feel like im doing something wrong.

Hebrews 12:1
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run the race marked out for us,





I feel like a lot of scriptures have pointed to me not drinking but I guess I just dont see the problem if im doing it normal.

I just want to honor God but I also like the taste of beer and I dont want to do anything wrong...
Like I said if I have one or two, I feel like im doing something wrong which brings me back to romans 14:23


I also think im getting convicted because I see a lot of my favorite pastors etc that dont drink and it makes me see how on fire they are and it makes me think, is it because they dont have alcohol in their lives etc


Currently I dont drink and have refrained until I get all of this stuff figured out. Maybe I will continue to not drink at all, but before I do decide to have a another beer or glass or wine I would like some info..

Please serious answers only, not just throwing answers and quick opinions.

Hi Josh, I'd just like to offer you two scriptures to help you consider both sides: Ecclesiastes 5:18 and Proverbs 31:4-7.

Hopefully you can discern from this which side of the argument is trying to destroy you and which side is trying to free you. It does really depend upon how the drink is affecting you and whether it is interfering with whatever The Lord requires of you. I think joy and gratefulness for life are as important as sobriety and self-control, but I know it is also possible to thank God for having blessed us with life, while sipping an excellent beer

 

[Monna]

Take it to the Lord himself. Lay it all for him - all your reasoning, all your doubts, all your questions. But search the Scriptures also. Confess to him where and in which way you may have sinned, ask him about your guilt issues, let him forgive, cleanse and heal you of any misplaced guilt as well as any actual guilt. Then ask him to guide you as to if, when, and in what circumstances you can maintain a clear conscience and testimony before Him, bearing in mind your social and spiritual fellowship context.

About alcohol in particular: sin does not reside in the alcohol. That much you've clearly understood. It might (or might not) surprise you to know that the Pilgrim Fathers of your nation held in considerable esteem the skill of beer brewing. The reason was, and still is in some parts of the world, that a moderate amount of alcohol in water kills bacteria - untreated water can be literally deadly if contaminated. Low alcohol beer was a safe, as well as fairly nutritious drink. So they used alcohol to "purify" water, not to escape the hardships of reality through excessive drinking. The sin, if any, lies within your attitude and relationship to it. When you let it control you, you have submitted to it rather than to the holy Spirit - one of who's gifts is "self-control." So in this last consideration, you need to know definitely if you are one of those people who are genetically prone to alcoholism. If you are, then for your own sake, and that of your loved ones, stay away from it.

Here's some tips that apply to more than drinking. Paul said to the Corinthians (1 Cor 6:12) "All things are lawful, but not all are expedient." He looks at the relevant issues especially from within the context of Christ's Body - the true church, because fellow believers are definitely affected by our behaviour. He provides answers to six relevant questions you can ask yourself:

1. Is it (in particular the behaviour) beneficial - is it good for me? Put generally: What is actually best for me and particularly in the context of my own Christian community/fellowship? (1 Cor 10:23 “I have the right to do anything,” but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.)
2. Is it something that could enslave me, take control over me, become more important than God to me? Or put another way, generally, what does it really mean to call Jesus Lord or my life? Is this particular behaviour pattern consistent with his Lordship. (1 Cor 6:12 “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.)
3. Is it something that "edifies" that is, builds me and my fellowship/community up, especially spiritually? In the letter to the Corinthians, the wider Christian community is the very important context. (1 Cor 10:23 again)
4. Is it consistent with seeking the best for my Christian brothers and sisters? (1 Corinthians 8:9 "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak." 1 Cor 10:24 "No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.")
5. When I do it, is it with a clear and clean conscience? (This seems to be a particular point of struggle with you, when you say you feel guilty.) In the conext omy fellow Christians this becomes particularly difficult, because my behaviour (even without my guilt) can lead someone else to do something that causes them a heavy burden of guilt. In 1 Cor 8:7-8 and 10:25-29 Paul takes up the issue around conscience and the extent to which I should or should not allow my freedom to be determined not only by my own conscience but by that of others. The thing is that freedom is never exercised in isolation - it is always a relational thing. Look at Galatians in particular about this.)
6 Does it actively honour and glorify God, and his Son, Jesus Christ? This is actually the most important question. (1 Cor 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.")

You are free of the burdensome law that brings sin and death. But you are not free of the law of love, and it is in the context of this law of love that you need to make your decision. Love does not enslave, but it frees you to live a life of service (ironic, what?). But it is a service gladly entered into, with joy - not with force and a guilty conscience.

You really are free in Jesus. Now don't use your freedom for anything but positive and constructive behaviour. What that is, you must follow the Spirit's guidance within your own context, to show you. He doesn't want you to simply take someone else's "ruling" and follow it - he wants you to reach your own conclusion, under his guidance, and then take responsibility for it. This is at the heart of growth and maturity.

Incidentally, I live in a country where low alcohol beer is very well accepted among most church communities. It is also a country that has probably the toughest drink and driving law. 0 tolerance. Drunkeness is not appreciated. God has blessed me personally with a dislike of the taste of beer, and a very low interest in any other alcoholic beverage.

(With acknowledgement to Mikael Tellbe, 2015. "Vad menar vi med att Bibeln är Gud's Ord? Libris, Orebro, Sweden pp 162-176. Sorry, as far as I know it's not available in English.)

 

[durangodawood]

...oops

 

[durangodawood]

I just want to honor God but I also like the taste of beer and I dont want to do anything wrong...

In similar discussions I cannot get past the fact that Jesus himself made wine for people.

How much stronger an endorsement of moderate social drinking could a Christian possibly ask for?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

a few excerpts: (from hundreds of similar discussions in the last 35 years)

"Paul knew the law, too. He revered the wisdom of Solomon. Pure juice of the grape is good for the health! It is nutritious. But fermented wine is not more nutritious, according to a doctor friend of mind who is well read on the subject. How could Paul recommend drinking alcoholic wine when the law he respected so warned, ". . . be not among winebibbers..."?

But the real issue is not whether or not the New Testament refers to fermented wine or grape juice. The real issue is the abuse of it that is so prevalent today. Solomon had three thousand wives. At one time, Moses permitted divorce. God winked! But God does not wink when His laws become so perverted and abused. Look where our permissiveness has led us. So-called Christian discos, featuring beer drinking and dancing to Christian music. Rocking, rolling, drinking "Christians."

"...Lest they drink and forget the law..."

We are forgetting the laws of God, the very laws Jesus said He came to fulfill. We now allow a lesbian priest to be ordained in the Episcopal church. Homosexuals not only flaunt their sins, they boldly seek recognition and power within the church."

"Sipping Saints" by David Wilkerson, founding pastor of Times Square Church, New York City USA

Here's an old classic:

Sipping Saints
An outcry against the alarming spread
of drinking among Christians

Plain Text File + Home Page + Subscribe + Copyright
By David Wilkerson
(undated)
__________

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

This nation is fast becoming a sodden society of too many intoxicated citizens. Alcohol is now the modern golden calf, and millions of people, young and old, male and female, have been seduced by it.

---------------------

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

In similar discussions I cannot get past the fact that Jesus himself made wine for people.

How much stronger an endorsement of moderate social drinking could a Christian possibly ask for?

there's other views in line with Scripture:
from the link (and other sources not at hand)
"Sipping Saints" by David Wilkerson, founding pastor of Times Square Church, New York City USA

"Christ came to fulfill the law! The law says, "Wine is a mocker . . . whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." Was Christ deceived? Would he have served a drink that would have led to a man leaving a feast drunken to heat up his wife? And in court that man is asked, "How did you get so drunk?" And the convicted man answers, "I went to a wedding feast. Jesus of Nazareth served up a really strong drink. He got me drunk."

I can't conceive that Jesus would mock that crowd and serve a drink that could have been abused if taken immoderately. I believe that elixir Jesus served was the pure juice of the vine - a supernatural punch so full of nature's true blend, it was a unique and welcome change! Would Jesus add alcoholic content to His supernatural drink and make it "bite the cup" when the law said -

"Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright . . ." (Proverbs 23:31)?"

 

[durangodawood]

....I can't conceive that Jesus would.....serve a drink that could have been abused if taken immoderately....

I can. Drinking to lift spirits has been part of human culture since forever ago, and will remain so.

Plus, the Bible plainly says Jesus did this. And its presented as a face-value miracle - not a metaphor or symbol like in certain other verses.

(I cut the 'mock the crowd' part out. I agree he wouldnt do that.)

 

[SPF]

I believe that elixir Jesus served was the pure juice of the vine - a supernatural punch so full of nature's true blend, it was a unique and welcome change!

The problem of course with this is that there is nothing in the text of Scripture that would indicate this is the case. You literally are making this up and just hoping that it could be true.

Drinking alcohol is not condemned in either the OT or the NT. Paul even encourages Timothy to drink some wine due to a stomach issue he was having.

The only condemnation you'll find in Scripture with regards to alcohol is its overuse.

But what we need to keep in mind is that it is extremely easy to drink too much. Alcohol is something that can destroy lives and families. If you feel your conscience pushing you towards abstaining, then abstain. If you feel that you can responsibly consume alcohol and are not convicted against it, then you're fine.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

You should run away from alcohol. It's addicting an expensive habit. As for the Christian reason.Some say it's okay to drink some. As long as you don't get intoxicated. And some believe it's a big no no .

 

[Zed Aliz Zed]

um, drinking when underage is not a sin. the idea of "underage" did not exist until this century. children use to drink beer and wine for 10,000s of years. the water was polluted. you could for the most part only drink ale and such.

as for the Christians who bad mouth drinking are hypocrites. Jesus main power is water into wine for god sakes. now you should not be a drunkard but I don't recall a bible passage saying don't drink. if there is one its not suppose to be there

 

[Dave-W]

um, drinking when underage is not a sin.

Actually, it is; IF the law of the land prohibits it.
Peter and Paul both instruct us to obey the laws of the land.

 

[Dave-W]

as for the Christians who bad mouth drinking are hypocrites. Jesus main power is water into wine for god sakes.

The church I grew up in insisted that the "wine" was actually grape juice.

now you should not be a drunkard but I don't recall a bible passage saying don't drink. if there is one its not suppose to be there

The prohibition is to not be drunk. Eph 5.18

That congregation equated even accidentally smelling alcohol with being drunk.