Question about Alcohol
Q: Yesterday, at several Fourth of July cookouts, I noticed that people who name the name of Christ were drinking alcohol. As I inquired with some of my church people, I noticed they had similar experiences. So, I know my thoughts and actions, how would you have handled this and what would you have thought.
A: Pastor John MacArthur handles this topic well in his sermons (see below link). You might have read a paper by Daniel Aiken called The Case for Alcohol Abstinence too. He quotes Adrian Rogers in the paper, who saids, “Moderation is not the cure of the liquor problem. Moderation is the cause of the liquor problem. Becoming an alcoholic does not begin with the last drink. It begins with the first. Just leave it alone.” Nobody ever thinks their social drinking will be a starting point for their kids to drink and become alcoholics.
A pastors wife said "In my husbands many years of pastoring, we have seen the hurt and heartache this can cause. We have seen lives destroyed. My suggestion to the question is to really pray for those involved asking God to give wisdom and perhaps an opportunity to speak."
Another pastor said "Using alcohol is not wise or good for anyone or needed. I’m sure some will attack me like I have no right to say this or claim my view is not biblical. I don’t want to say anything but I must. I’m 64 and been a pastor for 40 years so my conviction is based on scripture and our testimony. Prov. 23:31 is an example of how we shouldn’t partake in strong drink. Beer is drank to get a little boost because water will quench our thirst. I realize drinking a beer may not be a sin but it is not wise.
Your testimony is my argument. You endorse it to your kids when you drink. One day they may not be able to limit their drinking. You kids in your church see you buying a case in a store and they say if pastor drinks I can too but they don’t limit it.
When we buy it we support a godless industry that has destroyed so many lives and families. Closing argument for me is that if a beer is ok then why not marijuana and when that doesn’t work for you try something stronger. If we never start, we show we don’t need it and others are not influenced by us to do it and they may be controlled by it. Plus, I tasted it once as a teen and thought to myself that it was one of the worst tasting things I ever put in my mouth!
As you can tell I’m older and I believe God calls us out of the world and I believe alcohol ties us to the world. Now this site allows us to state our views and opinions on topics. I also know many obviously will disagree because at this point I think I am the only one on here saying “don’t touch alcohol” because biblical wisdom advises it. It breaks my heart to see all you pastors endorsing something that will destroy so many families. Shouldn’t we listen to that wisdom. Don’t wait till your drinking causes a problem for you, separate from it now before bites you like serpent as the scripture says."
Examine this topic here well, and you'll be armed with this knowledge and be able to counsel others and answer this faq in future Christian convos or while teaching.
God bless
