Paul Sneddon took the corner too fast. Crashing through a wooden barrier, he flipped his Ford Laser. When he realized there was no way out of the wreck, he popped open a brew and drank it down while waiting to be rescued. Later, he admitted that at the time of the accident, he “had been drinking for 4 days straight.”
The driver’s inebriated state caused the crash, and yet he declared happy hour at the scene of the accident! The situation reminded me of this proverb: “A fool repeats his foolishness” (Proverbs 26:11).
So, how do we avoid the foolish behavior associated with alcohol? Solomon issued this warning: “Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down” (Proverbs 23:31). Drinking may be enticing, but “in the end [alcohol] bites like a poisonous snake” (Proverbs 23:32).
Because of its deceptive nature, we can get into trouble with booze before we realize what’s happening. One sip usually leads to several, which can lead to drunkenness. The Bible cautions us, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life” (Ephesians 5:18).
When we open the door to drunkenness, we risk letting it become a lifestyle. At first, getting smashed is rare; then it’s a once-in-a-while thing. Then it can become so frequent that every happy hour ends with hugging the commode. It’s possible to become like the carouser in Proverbs who falls asleep wondering, “When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?” (Proverbs 23:35).
Happy hour, hangover, sober, gotta find a drink—God doesn’t want us to live in the bondage of this cycle. He’s given us sufficient warning, but we’ve got to do our part and keep our distance from alcohol’s devastating effect.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Psalm 8:1-9
More:
Read 2 Peter 2:19-22 to see why Christians should avoid getting tangled up in sin that enslaves.
Next:
If alcohol is not a temptation for you, what else tempts you to enter into a sinful cycle? What can you do to avoid foolish and addictive behavior?
eppistle on May 13, 2011 at 5:13 am
Should the Christian drink alcohol? On one hand the only guaranteed way to prevent committing the sin of drunkeness (Ephesians 5:18) is to never drink alcohol. Many sins are associated with drinking parties and drinking alcohol at these parties can lower one’s inhibitions to participate in these sins. On the other hand, the Bible indicates that God ordained “wine that gladdens the heart of man” (Psalm 104:14-15) and Jesus seemed to see drinking parties as opportunity to reach out to those who needed Him (Luke 7:33-34). So drunkeness is forbidden, but drinking in moderation is allowed. However, abstinance is the best option (and for some the onlly right option) for alcoholics and for people who have a history of alcoholism in their ancestory, and in situations in which consumption is illegal or could seem to condone drunkenness. The governing principle for the Christian is “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31). So the Christian should ask himself, “Is my consumption of alcohol truly bringing glory to God or is it bringing dishonor to God?” Of course I Corinthians 10:31 indicates that our eating should bring glory to God also. Those of us who overeat need to ask ourselves if our eating is glorifying God.
jennifer benson schuldt on May 13, 2011 at 1:53 pm
eppistle,
Thank you for this well-balanced response to the topic of alcohol in a Christian’s life. Your message about abstaining is important. There is a risk associated with drinking, and Christians are not exempt from falling into sin as a result of too much alcohol. The Bible says, “…Whoever is led astray by [alcohol] is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1).
For more thought-provoking information on this topic, check out this link: http://questions.org/attq/did-jesus-approve-of-the-consumption-of-alcohol/
joehillomni on May 13, 2011 at 7:05 am
Jennifer,
Alcohol has certainly destroyed many lives, families, and marriages. It is dangerous business. It is also a “popular” sin to write devotionals about. What about obesity? Literally eating ourselves to death. Americans are killing themselves with food on a daily basis. Type II diabetes is rampant. What about addiction to “prescribed” drugs? We rail on the street addicts while we “sleep with Prince Valium” each night. Please do not misunderstand my comment-it is NOT criticism of your devotional, just an expansion of your point. Also, don’t condemn your devotional writing career by treating these subjects ( trust me I have 22 yrs of full time ministry under my belt), just leave that to the “rebels for Christ” like me. May God richly bless you hun!
Joe
jennifer benson schuldt on May 13, 2011 at 11:11 am
joehillomni,
Good point about the other sins we commonly overlook. There’s a great book on the topic called “Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate” by Jerry Bridges. My husband and I read this as a part of a small group study. It is excellent and it addresses some of the sins that are rarely discussed today, including envy, discontentment, lack of self-control, selfishness, unthankfulness, and more. It’s an important book for our day and age.
lindagma on May 13, 2011 at 8:42 am
I was blessed (or cursed) with low blood sugar…which means you eat or drink wrong…your consequences are quick in a massive headache. It keeps you on the straight and narrow. Many hypoglycemics end up alcoholics because of the craving for sugar. In the days when I was not walking with the Lord, it took me only a couple of times to find out that there was nothing appealing about alcohol. But perhaps the thing that made the most impression was a message I heard one Sunday morning. Our pastor said, even if you can handle a glass of wine when you are out to dinner…you never know who is a potential alcoholic and is watching you. As Christian and a member of a church, our young people are watching to see how you live…new Christians are watching to see how you live…non-Christians are watching to see how you live. I never had an issue with ordering a glass of iced tea no matter what the rest of my group was ordering.
jennifer benson schuldt on May 13, 2011 at 11:18 am
lindagama,
Thank you for the practical information about how certain health conditions relate to alcohol consumption. You also brought up a good point about setting an example as a Christian. If our consumption might tempt a brother or sister in Christ who has a struggle with this substance, the enjoyment of the beverage would not be worth it. Putting the needs of others first (Mark 12:31) frequently puts us on a good path.
cricket41 on May 13, 2011 at 9:22 am
Wow. I drank to hide who I was and to numb every feeling I had, actually at the end of my drinking career I had no feelings except a rage that was out of control. I thank God that I never killed anyone thru rage or drinking. Every week-end I ended up in jail or was in some sort of trouble. I had so many black outs that to this day i still do not remember. I went thru the d.t.s and thought I was at the ocean, but was in a bar. I have almost been killed a few times and tried to kill myself a few times. I remember losing my car, and I was too afraid to go to police because I don’t remember where I left it, what if I had killed someone or did something else? Finally I ran into someone who asked me when I was going to get my car. I cannot drink 1 drink and stop. Actually the thought of drinking now makes me sick to my stomach, God has removed the urge to drink (and I thank Him daily). I never liked the taste of it anyway or the stinking smell. After I stopped I found in bible proverbs 23 and could not believe it!!! It was me and it is so very true. I have to keep myself in check daily, and pray daily, alcohol is patiently waiting around to get me, and if I can say there is a hell on earth I was in it. sorry for taking up the whole page.
jennifer benson schuldt on May 13, 2011 at 11:28 am
cricket41,
Thank you for sharing the pain of your past with all of us. I praise the LORD that you are on a different path now. God is good isn’t He? He rescues us from all kinds of trouble (Psalm 18:16). The part of your post that talked about reading a passage in the Bible and seeing yourself in it–that totally resonated with me. Just this week, God used a passage in the Old Testament to remind me what happens when we make decisions out of fear. As we read God’s Word, He speaks to us, doesn’t He? It reminds me of this scripture: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
daisymarygoldr on May 14, 2011 at 10:17 am
Good post and discussion. Jennifer and all! It is true there is no legalistic rule to abstain from alcohol. But in the Bible some were forbidden to drink. Kings (Proverbs 31:4-5), Nazirites (Numbers 6:2-3), and Priests (Leviticus 10:9) had to completely abstain from wine lest they forgot the law, perverted judgments and failed to fulfill God’s will. These were chosen people, set apart as God’s possession to accomplish His special purposes—to serve God’s people and serve Him in His Holy temple.
So, how does this apply to Christians today? Believers are chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession (I Peter 2:9), and the temple of God (I Peter 2:5). We are called out to be separate from the world and have been set apart to do His will. We must choose total abstinence from worldly things i.e. anything that comes between us and God. Love of self, money, lustful pleasures etc. intoxicates—to dull our spiritual senses and prevents us from allowing God to fully perform His purposes in and through us.
Jesus was accused of being a gluttonous drunkard but He never once got drunk. A drunkard cannot save Himself let alone save others. Jesus came to hang out in those filthy places to deliver us from the bondage of addictions. And so, that is our past and we have had enough of all that sensuality, lusting, rioting, carousing and drinking in the darkness with the godless. Now that we are children of His marvelous light, we must live decent lives for all to see.
Let us not get drunk with the wine of the great prostitute’s immorality (Rev 17:2). For the prostitute, no sexual act is out of the question if you meet the price. For the church that is intoxicated with materialism, no lifestyle is unacceptable if the money is met. Alcohol stinks. And the stench of harlotry ensuing from the church is repulsive to our heavenly bridegroom.
However, when the sinful woman repented it filled the whole place with sweet fragrance. The end of the world is coming soon. While the world is drunk with revelry “to drink of the wrath of God”, Christians must not be consumed with the spirit of the world. Therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit (1 Pet 4:7 NASB).
May we, abstain from every form of evil and pursue holy lives. Those who do not get drunk on wine, instead are filled with the spirit will someday get to drink it new with Jesus—in our Father’s Kingdom (Matt 26:29)
rjreeves on May 17, 2011 at 3:39 am
Years ago I read a book by a famous gourmet chef who had been known to drink wine the whole time he was cooking. He became a christian and said that he surveyed the bible for what is said about drinking. His conclusion was that it didn’t specifically prohibit it,but for him, it was the wrong decision to continue drinking. He said if I remember correctly that he often drank in social situations to feel more comfortable and that maybe he should take himself out of those situations in the first place, that he wasn’t being true to himself. It goes back to examining our actions in the light of the question–does it glorify God? This morning I pray for those who are struggling with addictions of all kinds.
jennifer benson schuldt on May 24, 2011 at 11:06 pm
Great comment. Thanks for sharing this man’s convictions. His story is an example of how we can avoid “copying the behavior and customs of this world”. As Christians, we are supposed to give our bodies over to God–to let them become “living sacrifices”. The Bible says this act is a form of worship! (Romans 12:1-2).