I don't think that there is anything wrong with drinking alcohol. However, I don't believe in getting drunk. It quite clearly states in Ephesians 5:18:
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.And in the ever-famous 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (which if you read in context speaks of sexual immorality, but I believe is applicable to substance abuse of any sort as well):
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.Well, that's pretty straightforward, isn't it? One only has to look for the word "drunk" almost anywhere in The Bible to find some tale of woe and tragedy. I think it is clearly spelled out for us that drunkenness is not okay. I can think of some people I know that would be appalled to find out that I drink.
It isn't that I keep it a huge secret, but to escape persecution or that "I'm so uncomfortable" look, I do fail to mention it quite a bit. I am a firm believer that it is up to our own convictions whether or not we consume alcohol. And I don't just mean wine.
It seems like of those Christians that do drink, they tend to limit themselves to wine, as though because that is what is most commonly mentioned in The Bible, that it is the only "okay" thing for them to drink. I know Christians who drink beer as well, but much less people than wine. I don't think that I have ever met a Christian who will openly admit to drinking anything with hard alcohol in it.
I do. I'm fine with it. I know my limit (which isn't much). It is not up to you to condemn me for it.
I was recently talking to a friend who told me that she was okay with drinking as well. She brought up that drinking is only not okay when it is abused. And that otherwise it is a gift. As she put it, it is much like sex, which people abuse all the time, yet it is meant to be a gift from our Father.
What do you think? Are you okay with Christians drinking alcohol?
Comments (137)
Yes I am. They're much more fun that way.
yes this questions is laughable. as long as they don't get drunk.
I drink. I like drinking when I go out. I am careful not to over-drink, but indulgence in anything is bad.
Anyway, drinking isn't a sin. It is only a sin if you don't think you should drink.
Well Catholics are Christian's.... And you know what they say about Catholic drinking
hahah!
There's nothing wrong with Christians drinking alcohol.
I see no problem with drinking. The key is moderation. A Christian shouldnt allow him/herself to drink to the point of intoxication. At least thats what I think.
Why not?
I've tried three types of beer and hate the taste of all of them, and wine is so-so. I don't condemn those who do drink, but I personally will not indulge in alcohol.
i'm a teenager. going to college this fall. and i was actually worried about the reality of drinking that i would face. even my friends now at my Catholic school try to justify drinking for me "Its okay, Arianne! Jesus turned the water into wine! See?! I know the Bible too!"
i've come to the conclusion that drinking is okay aslong as its in moderation. that you know your limits. i think its okay when you have the ability to control yourself, and alcohol doesn't control you.
but besides that. personally, i've decided that i won't drink in college. or, at least not until i turn 21.
I think it's OK for a Christian to have a drink. A drink does not mean that you are going to get wasted and do something stupid. Unless you have a really low tolerance, and in that case you probably shouldn't indulge. hehe
Seriously though, I think it's tacky for Christians to stigmatize stuff like drinking because it just alienates people. The bible also says "everything is permissable, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissable but not everything is constructive" (1 Cor. 10:23). If you're not into having a drink for your own personal reasons, that's fine, just don't expect everyone else to feel the same way you do...
I'm enjoying a glass of wine right now. Â :)
My best answer would be I really don't know. Of course they shouldn't get drunk, but other than that....I think it might be okay. Of course I don't drink now, I'm under the legal age, but when I'm old enough? Maybe.
I drink...a good margarita, an amaretto sour, a wine cooler--my husband is drinking a beer with supper. Most of the people at our church drink, just not to drunkness. Our pastor even drinks a beer sometimes, it's not a big deal. You just have to know your limit.
Jesus drank wine. Personally I don't drink except for a few sips of Smirnoff now and then, and never the whole thing. I saw what alcohol did to my parents' marriage.
my church teaches a little differently. in the bible it says something about not giving the devil a chance, and by simply drinking, it's giving him a chance so that alone is a sin or w/e
but i've drank, and got drunk. trying new things,and that was it. i dont think drinking is that much fun because you just act stupid most of the time...
I'm actually having to make up my own mind about alcohol at the moment, uni life really requires you to have pre-planned, or you'll get caught out. Sometimes I do think as a Christian I'm expected to avoid alcohol, but if I don't get drunk, is having a cocktail at a party all that bad?
I'm fine with having a drink or two. As long as you know your limits and your boundaries, and don't go beyond them, you should be fine. Having a beer or two socially (even after church, from time to time!) isn't the same thing as getting hammered on Saturday night.
yes. i'm a christian. i love drinking.
As long as they buy me one too I have no problem with it. :)
Seriously though, Romans 14. If drinking bothers you, don't do it. If it bothers someone with you, don't do it. And if you've chosen a denomination, or group, that doesn't permit it then you can't do it. Oh yeah, and make sure you're of legal age and all that. :)
I think it's fine as long you don't get intoxicated. After all, wine has some great health benefits in small amounts.
@msarianne@xanga - If you're worried about the pressures to drink I recommend learning the factoids about what alcohol does to your organs, even in small amounts, while they arestill developing (ie. before your early-mid twenties). If anyone asks you why you don't drink you can start rattling them off until they stop bothering you about it. I've found that even in college most people will respect your decision if you can give them a reason.
@princess1505angel@xanga - ahah thanks. i think i'll do that. lol. because the whole reciting 1 Corinthians 6:19 [Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is
in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;] hasn't worked out that well for me.
i guess its just hard because i love being in the social life & to party. and college parties are almost always equivalent to alcohol. so its hard when i don't drink.
ah well. "aja aja, fighting!", is what i say. i'll get through it. thanks for the advice.
I totally agree with this post. Know your limits, love God, yay.
@msarianne@xanga - Another trick is to keep a drink in your hand. People generally don't ask if you want a drink if you have one.
Love God and do whatever you want.
I have no problem with it, as long as it's in moderation. The church I go to has lots of people I'll grab a beer with at the bar or a show. That's the key, though. I don't go to get lit up or anything. I'm there to enjoy music or company. The alcohol is simply a tasty beverage.