To drink or not to drink? That is a question that many of us often ask ourselves throughout life as we choose to become Christ followers. It has certainly been a choice I have made over the years…for better and for worse.
I have in the past chosen to drink in fear of rejection, in the face of peer pressure, in the absence of “fun”, and because of the mere fact that I am not the most outgoing person on the planet. I also loved the taste…liquor, beer, wine…it didn’t matter. I would also agree with genetics. That in my long line of ancestors, there are many who have been alcoholics and, thus, alcoholism is in my blood.
One nickname I have is Jbud. Let’s just say the bud isn’t short for buddy. And, it is certainly not a nickname I am proud of. But it serves as a constant reminder of the redemption I have experienced through God’s grace and forgiveness. That like the apostle Paul, my name is not something I have to carry with me for the rest of my life. Nobody calls him Saul anymore. Paul says in Philippians 3:13 that he tries to focus on one thing: “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Like him, my past has been forgiven. I have been forgiven despite the imperfections that will always be me.
So, why quit drinking altogether? After all, the Bible does not say that alcohol itself is bad. Jesus turned the water into wine. Paul told Timothy that he could drink (for the sake of his health). Ephesians 5:18 says, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin our life….I’ve heard all the arguments that we use to justify that drinking is okay in moderation. And, they are true…I’ve used most of them. Most people would also agree with me that it is wrong to get drunk. So if drinking is okay in moderation, then why quit? Why give it up if you are successfully abstaining from getting drunk?
I think it depends on the individual and how God leads them in their life. For me, I’ve been on both sides. I’ve been drunk and I’ve drankin moderation. Here was my problem…sooner or later, my drinking in moderation was going to eventually lead to another night of drunkenness. Maybe it was 2 months or 2 years away but I was still going to end up there at some point before I start the process all over again. With people around me who may struggle with alcohol, does me drinking in moderation do anybody any bit of good? The answer for me is no.
This is one of my favorite sermons on drinking alcohol. A lot of it is because of the 6 pack of Coors Light sitting next to the pulpit and the illustration that he uses, but also because of the sermon content and the points he makes. We can’t argue that alcohol glorifies God in any way. And I’m sure most would agree. Let’s not kid ourselves…the American version of drinking is not a health matter. Nor is it typically used as a way to celebrate the Passover.
Growing up in the church, I have heard the minister’s who preach about alcohol, when at the end, they say that they have never liked the taste of it to begin with. Well…I’m happy for them. But, I wasn’t blessed with those taste buds. So, I guess I’m not going to be “that” guy. I will know a piece of the struggle and do my best to understand everybody else’s.
All in all, for me it just seemed better to quit drinking alcohol altogether. When I don’t give myself any leeway in terms of alcohol, it is much easier to avoid those future temptations 2 months or 2 years from now. It has also saved me quite a bit of money…So, the answer to the question, “To drink or not to drink?” is different for everybody. For me, I simply chose not to. I pray that will continue…
