Should Christians Drink Alcoholic Beverages? Part 1
Christians frequently discuss whether it is sinful to drink alcoholic beverages. However, the question I raise in this article is this: “Should” Christians drink? The question is not concerning whether it is sinful; rather, the issue here is whether Christians “should” drink. I affirm for the following reasons that Christians should “not” drink alcoholic beverages:
1. Drinking leads to drunkenness. “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!” (Isaiah 5:11). Notice that those under consideration would “follow strong drink…till wine inflame them.” That is, the process of drinking would lead to a state of drunkenness.
But what is so bad about drunkenness? The apostle Paul answers that question, warning that “drunkenness” and “such like” are works of the flesh, and those guilty will “not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). Drunkenness is sinful and will cause one to be lost. But how does one fall into the sin of drunkenness? It begins by drinking! Now think for a moment. Drunkenness will cause one to miss heaven. “Should” a Christian start down the path to drunkenness by drinking alcoholic beverages? Does the Bible not teach that we should stay clear of temptation as much as possible? Please read Matthew 6:13 and Ephesians 4:27.
We should also consider whether “drinking” is “like” drunkenness. Paul warned against things which are “like” drunkenness (Galatians 5:21). Drinking is certainly associated with drunkenness. One must drink to get drunk. Therefore, it is “like” drunkenness!
Should one play with a loaded gun? A rattlesnake? Fire? If the answer is “no” to these questions, then I ask: Should one play around with alcohol, knowing that doing so may lead to drunkenness and cause one to be lost?
2. The Bible warns against strong drink. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). Also, Isaiah 5:11 (see number 1, above) warns against following “strong drink.” Please observe that the warning here is not specifically against “drunkenness” but against “strong drink.” Beer, wine, and whiskey are drinks strong enough to get one drunk. Should a Christian just ignore such warnings?
3. Drinking may cause others to stumble. “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak” (Romans 14:21). What if through your example you caused one of your own children to “stumble,” and he/she became addicted? What if because of the addiction your son or daughter were killed in a traffic accident? Should a Christian do that which is a stumbling block to others?
I have presented three reasons one “should not” drink. Now, I ask you: If a Christian “should not” drink, then “can” a Christian drink and please God? Does the Lord want us to do things we “should not” do? Please think seriously about this issue. [There will be a part 2.]
