Why Christians Should Not Drink Alcohol

Why Christians should not drink alcohol. That is the topic we discussed today. Right here on the Christian worldview radio program where the mission is to sharpen the biblical worldview. Christians and to share the good news that all people can be reconciled to God in Jesus Christ.

I'm David with the host of the program your website is the Christian worldview.or, thank you for joining us today as we discussed why Christians should not drink alcohol now. Take note of the program title does not say why Christians shall not drink alcohol but rather why they should not drink alcohol so what's the difference will shall not is an all encompassing prohibition like the 10 Commandments shell knots with regard to murder adults. Relying etc. should not is an exhortation to be wise and very cautious.

In other words, it is better and safer for Christians to not drink alcohol because of the spiritual, physical, and testimonial perils and will get into that in the program today no Once upon a time American evangelical Christians steered clear, mostly of alcohol and today it is become mainstream with an evangelical church.

Our guest today, Lisa Anderson, director of boundless and young adults for Focus on the Family, wrote a recent column entitled the latest buzz around Christians and alcohol.

She describes the scene evangelicalism today of mom parties getting together with her kids and sipping wine and church events advertising pub crawls and beer and wine tastings and Bible studies with brew. These kinds of things are becoming increasingly more prevalent. So we hope you'll enjoy and gain from this program today. As we discussed why Christians should not drink alcohol was good to the first segment with Lisa Anderson, Lisa. It's great to have you back on the program.

I really thought you wrote an insightful article recently entitled the latest buzz around Christians, and alcohol and I just want to start out by quoting a couple paragraphs from your column. You talk about your family background and you said I believe that a correct interpretation of Scripture prohibits drunkenness, not drinking. I grew up in a alcohol free home. It was just fine. I respected my parents. I didn't feel like I was missing out.

Then you going to say here's what I think is weird lately. I've seen a lot of Christians get super pumped about alcohol I'm hearing more people talk about it. I'm seeing more people drink it more often and in greater amounts is not that alcohol is in their lives is that it's become more central to their lives. It's a focus of many of the things they do and you give a few examples you say one of my friends was part of a playgroup of Christian moms and their kids. The kids played while the moms drank wine.

The gathering never happened without booze.

Example number two. I've seen church events advertising are centered around drinking pub crawls beer and wine tastings or brew nights coupled with small group Bible studies or hymns. Things example 3.

I've been to several parties hosted by Christian friends that had alcohol as a main event. Coolers of drinks and open bar alcohol involved games and more money going to say, alcohol is being used more and more as a coping mechanism become more acceptable to need to go out for margaritas after a long week at work or have a glass of a bottle of wine because I got dumped or I have a tough conversation or task coming up or lonely or bored. A fellow believer told me he always drinks at least a little bit at parties because he likes himself better that way now as I read those paragraphs in your article Lisa, I thought I had to keep on going back to see that she talking about Christians are just as general society night I go back in your talking about Christians I think. Specifically, evangelicals. So why has drinking become much more prevalent in a focus for evangelicals weirdly by a cultural thing that some people at the pendulum swing. You know a person like myself who grew up in a total T totaling household where really both my parents believed that it would not right for Christians to drink under any circumstances. It felt like I say in my article I Disagree with that but I see a lot of great reasons for Christians not drink but he mentioned I live in Colorado. Colorado is known as a value of beer through capital craft. Just a lot going on here around beer and alcohol and stuff and I think people buy into that.

They get into the culture they get into it as a hobby on which I know a lot of people do related to wine and beer and then it just kinda becomes that argument as well.

You know, working to be relatable to people.

It's a fun thing to do, something to be knowledgeable about it. Something just kinda show that you can be a Christian and not be one of these legalist that caught" weirdos and that's what I'm saying you know what none of us wants to be labeled as legalistic girl weirdo.

But at the same time we are called to be sober minded. We are called to be sensitive to the spirit and were called to be wise in all of our interactions and are dealing with people and with substances Lisa Anderson with us today in the Christian will be the director of boundless and young adults for Focus on the Family. Also the host of the boundless show and author of the dating manifesto. You can find out all about that at their website boundless.org Lisa, have you observed more for the millennial's let's say 18 to 30, 35, or is it even the older generations, now 40s 50s 60s of evangelicals who are partaking in drinking alcohol, more commonly now. I would across all generation which I writing back when I publish this article on found what my audience plate 20 and 30 somethings I thought now to get a backlash to be like Lisa trying to be our mom and tell us all that it was actually quite the opposite, with a lot of young adults that you know why is there this pressure till think that you have to have alcohol at a party or at a reception or at you have to go out for greats after work and Stefan really did a lot of the millennial who I think are setting the example and saying it doesn't have to be about that many of them setting up yet. Personally, I just don't. I don't drink, it's just not bricks your inhibition to get checked. They could see the problem with that. I think overall it so there's a lot more caution there, whereas I think I'd be older generations tend to be a little more reactionary and say okay what we don't want to be that the fuddy-duddies maybe our parent told you something or not you currently moms group stuff like that I think were seeing not more trend toward the Gen Xers and beyond. Even I've definitely heard about those kinds of situations as well. Becoming more common again. Lisa Anderson, the host of the boundless show works for boundless to Focus on the Family with us today reading your article on the latest buzz around Christians and alcohol. We have it linked@herwebsitethechristianworldview.org when renew the paragraph you say again, drunkenness is a sin and I'm not saying drinking is but line drawing isn't the issue here we focus on quote not being drunk and in our minds picture. Someone passed out in an alley or hanging over the toilet at a frat party. We justify getting quote tipsy because quote that's not really drunk. We pet ourselves in the back for staying overnight at a friend's house after drinking because quote better safe than sorry.

The Bible says a lot about sin. You're right, but the Bible also says a lot about other things that come into play when drinking alcohol in here. These three things you mentioned like you to talk about things like self-control, wisdom and idolatry. Maybe you could explain what you mean by those three things. Yeah, sure. I mean, I think first about control. A lot of people will think of things like alcohol when they think of self-control in this idea.

One controlled, meaning I'm not just going out partying and being like some kind of college but affected were called out self-control in a number of areas of our lives. Self-control is actually listed as a fruited spirit means that something to be sought after and pursued in one argument I make David at the end of the article is not just say oh yeah the one thing Christians need to focus on his alcohol consumption.

There are there are at least two or three things in my own mind that are much more of a goal for me and alcohol and I need to fill in the blank with those things felt anything that is not what we are out of control, but we are not under the influence of the Holy Spirit and God gospel through God's word.

I need to be cautionary, you know, we are told in Titus two to live self-controlled, upright and godly life. Then I would say you know wisdom. Are you in the word of God taking direction for your daily life. From the things that we know are true and unchanging and not come straight out of the court so we have to have Clint give any areas that brings insensitivity like say the Scriptures that talk about.

We shouldn't be a stumbling block to other do we have to take that into consideration. We have to realize that for others, other believers, it may be a true offense that we have to be sensitive to that and then finally straight up idolatry. If something is controlling your mind of your action and it had several wrongful place in your heart to orient your affection. That is idolatry anything only be occupied by Jesus Christ alone on a something out there need. You gotta have that drink to calm down after a long week or you need to have that drink to be more on a more interesting person. Then there are wrong noted there at play and you know I just want to use as an example like I just said anything out for me. I need to look and say what's happening with my smart phone like for me that's a great example where I could draw all the parallels of why is it when I hear that but I got to check my phone to be on social media. It has taken a wrongful place in my life and I am needing to take steps to break its hold on me and my time and my attention anything can come in play there.

One example of will explain Lisa Anderson with us today in the Christian will be the director of boundless and young adults for Focus on the Family. Their website is boundless.org you mentioned Lisa.

Some of the common objections to people will say what you mean Christians should not drink you get these objections, like will you just being legalistic. I have Christian freedom.

Jesus, he turned water into wine.

He made an alcoholic beverage or drinking doesn't necessarily mean drunkenness.

You can have one drink or it's about things social with other people and relatable and even evangelistic. This is an evangelistic tool to drink with others who are trying to to reach with the gospel or Christians in other parts of the world drink as much more cultural for Christians to drink a say in Europe and other parts the world pick a couple of those and how you would respond to those common objections: no well I got my non-Christian friend. I have to be relatable.

One hour taking power away from God himself in the Holy Spirit because I think God can pretty much do what he wants to do and accomplish what he wants to without having to make confession in the realm of lifestyle or decision-making. I would ever know what you got anyway and let the Holy Spirit brought him to let's let him do his work and not think that we have to be or act a certain way in order to accomplish that. You even call himself even said that he had to keep short accounts with the Lord and constantly be checking his own heart and repenting of attitudes and decision behaviors that my conscience before the Lord. I feel like I'm straight with them.

You know were okay. At the same time God has every right to judge me and I allow him to do that okay. You're listening to an interview with Lisa Anderson. She is the director of boundless and young adults to Focus on the Family. Their website is boundless.org she's also a radio host of the boundless program, author of the dating manifesto can find out much more about that by going to boundless.org we have much more to get to on this topic today of why Christians should not drink that shell that but should not drink or going into lots more points as to how to be wise with regard to alcohol and things may be for you to consider that you have never considered before both the people. Christians who actually do drink what they should consider an attitude to people who don't drink.

How they view people who do so hopefully this will be helpful today here in the Christian worldview were coming up to our first breaks will take our first break and will come back and discuss much more were also to be announcing two of our vessel, we are announcing actually two of our events coming up in September the Christian worldview speaker series are next one is Sunday, September 15 the Christian worldview golf and dinner event Monday, September 16 will be telling you much more about that during the.

The ad breaks and also in the coming weeks in the program but get those undercounted would love to see you there more after this David Wheaton here to announce two events this coming September 1, on Sunday, September 15 at 7 PM at Grace Church Eden Prairie is the Christian worldview speaker series events and how social justice is impacting the church and the gospel featuring Darrell Harrison and insightful biblical teacher and writer on this important to understand topic no cost.

No registration. Then the next day on Monday, September 16 is the Christian route golf and dinner event at Wood Hill country club and was at a Minnesota you can register for goal which includes dinner or register for the dinner event only. This is always a special day and evening. Again, the speaker series event this Sunday, September 15 in the Gulf and dinner event is Monday, September 16.

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Again the number is one AAA 646-2233 or go to the Christian worldview.org to think biblically and live accordingly. That is what we strive to do each week on the Christian worldview radio program David Wheaton to host our web site is the Christian worldview.org this encourage you to go there to sign up for our free weekly email that keeps you connected with the program. You get the personal short takes every week when you do that I get all the information on the ministry and so forth all your past programs or website resources.

Just a lot to do it or website and the emails, the best way to stay connected with us as a Facebook page as well. If you're if your Facebook user today on the program we are discussing the topic why Christians should not drink alcohol and our guest is Lisa Anderson, the director of boundless and young adults at Focus on the Family. We have just a short segment left with her in the will get into some follow-up discussion on this topic so order your parting words for Christians who are struggling with her thinking about this particular issue of Christians drinking alcohol. My argument about what we do. Where can we draw the line what it meant the ball. It's really more about what is really wise here and what it mature believers, how can we make right decisions and that and walk forward boldly and set an example for other generations. What's your parting word to those who don't drink alcohol as to what their perception of others who do should be why I felt called to write the poster did you know David and you know my family a little bit. I really have lived and been on both sides of this issue and now feel like I really a kind of I hold it loosely. As far as the nuts and bolt jot and tittle of everything. I think there's this need for us.

I don't have very strong fiction to run alcohol to operate in a sense of grace towards other believers who choose differently on this issue and I make the point in the article.

There are, Jesus loving, committed gospel doctrine centered believers on both side of this issue. So I would say we need to offer grace towards believers of all kinds, truly by setting the example in our own lives and saying here's just what my conviction is this is what I'm about. You can lead forward. I think not.

Example of being loving while also speaking truth, thank you for coming on the Christian Realty was. It was a good calm is thought-provoking. I think something that as alcohol becomes more prevalent for for Christians.

You wrote a lot of good things to very much.

Keep in mind, and so we appreciate that your all your work you boundless for coming on the program today and I appreciate the opportunity to chat with okay is Lisa Anderson everyone again.

Their website is boundless.org you can, by the way, read that article that we discussed today the title is the latest buzz double meaning there around Christians and alcohol at a at our website.

We have a link the Christian worldview.org I'm very glad you wrote this article because boundless is a ministry of Focus on the Family that reaches young adults, your 20s, 30s, 40s, and so forth. And I think this is a real temptation for a lot of people, but particularly for for that age coming out of college and so forth. And I think it was a good column for them for all of us to be circumspect with regard to this issue now for decades, theologically liberal mainline denominations whether the United Methodist Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Presbyterian Church USA. Some of these big time mainline denominations. There are now liberal, theologically have held no such conviction against staying away from alcohol. If this hasn't been part of their radar at all. There just they drink now that wasn't the case though with evangelicalism as at a time was a decades ago.

You know when maybe though the split from between fundamentalism and evangelicalism happened. Fundamentalist was still hold to the to the, the conviction that you should stay away from alcohol, but will not split happened to between fundamentalism and evangelicalism which I just got a roughly say was more in the first half of the 20th century, evangelicals. I think many of them still held that kind of good conviction, although they were much more willing to use worldly means and not be bound by what they perceived as a legalistic stances of fundamentalists. They were much still much more bound by the conviction of alcohol is better to stay away from. But over time, and up till now.

Now that has changed and I'm sure you probably noticed it in your own if you go to leave it Evangelical Church. Of course, the attentive evangelicalism is very wide now means a lot of different things to different people but more you know, kind of Bible-based evangelical churches. You probably noticing that alcohol is becoming much more prevalent in certain demographics within your particular church. This is a very bad development.

By the way for evangelicalism.

This will only end badly for many, many Christians and their children and other people that Christians in the evangelical world no longer believe that alcohol is something to be to be really distance from and then the question is, for what what what is what is the point of something like this will what is the point of engaging in alcohol for something is actually not necessary at all. So go back to our question. If God doesn't give a shell, not on drinking alcohol. Why should Christians should not drink alcohol. I member I heard a pastor say once when he was preaching he says we want to be as explicit in truth and in tone as the Bible is no more. We want to be anymore adding truth to the Bible or adding a sterner or softer tone to whatever the issue is a Bible health Bible says we don't want to be the last either. So another words, what does God's word say and how is it said that's what death the line, we always find things we want to soften the truth. We want to harden the truth too much. We don't want to soften the tone any more than the Bible does. We don't want to harden the tone any more than the Bible is want to be as explicit in truth and tone as the Bible is no more and no less. So that's organ to try to do as we go over some of the considerations about why Christians should not drink alcohol so here's what the Bible says relook at a number different passages some different things that I think can be helpful to understanding where we should land on this particular issue. Of course, the most probably the most well-known passage in the New Testament on this issue comes from Ephesians chapter 5 the most black-and-white essay portion of Scripture on this issue with regards alcohol comes from Ephesians chapter 5 will start in verse 16. Therefore Paul says to the Ephesian believers therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is okay next verse very next verse, verse 18. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the spirit speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the father and be subject to one another in the fear, the reverence of Christ.

Other just so much in that particular passage and I often use this when I speak to young people, and on when you go off to college this the three pillars apparel in the been the battle for the body is sexual immorality.

The battle for your spirit is drugs and alcohol. The battle for your mind is the worldview on campus humanism, but that that second one.

The battle for your spirit. Why is alcohol a battle for your spirit. I often tell them. Have you ever noticed another name for alcohol when they call alcohol they call it spirits is not interesting that alcohol is called spirits, and the point is is that when you drink alcohol and controlled by alcohol. It is now controlling your spirit. You cannot be filled or influenced or be or be governed by the Holy Spirit when you are in being influenced by liquid alcoholic spirits and so that that the point of this passage years. Be careful, be wise, don't be foolish. The way you live and also that don't get drunk and there is the black-and-white thing. Don't get drunk and drunkenness occurs the moment alcohol influences your mind and actions of the moment alcohol influences your mind and actions.

That is the moment at which maybe you're not falling over drunk, but you are now being under you are not under the influenced that's what they call a DUI driving under the influence.

It is a driving drunk.

It's a driving under the influence of alcohol, so it incurs the moment info.

Alcohol influences your mind and actions. You are on the way you are now not being controlled fully by the Holy Spirit anymore. If you're Christian, you're now being controlled by liquid spirits. I read a post online an article online from hell fly just the regular secular health a blog or website online is said being tipsy because that's what Christians will often say why get a little tipsy will see what tipsy is, according to health line being tipsy is the first sign that the alcohol your drinking is having an effect on your body. There you go. You're under the influence. This tipsy nest begins when alcohol enters the body's bloodstream and starts to affect the functions of the brain and the body. When a person becomes tipsy. Number one they appear more talkative and more self-confident. Number two, they are more likely to take risks in their shorter attention span and poor short-term memory and a greater as a person is a greater risk of injury when they are tipsy secret even see after a couple drinks and maybe different friend you may be wondering for you, maybe three for someone else.

When you become tipsy. Don't consider like all I got befall. I don't get drunk falling over drunk you like Lisa was saying throwing up in the toilet. No, that's not even what the Scripture saying is don't get drunk with. Don't be influenced by alcohol, but be filled instead with the Holy Spirit as Christians should be okay next next segment were going to get into why they're such an attraction to drink all drink alcohol for something is not necessary. After all, is lots of other beverages you can drink that on alcoholic. Why do people. Why do Christians drink alcohol. What is the point of it and then what about the impact it has on other people. When you drink will get into that. That's all next coming up on the Christian review radio programs we talked today about why Christians should not drink alcohol. I'm David Weeden back right after this disease and have no chance in the world all that's Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, we ought to never become indifferent to the slaughter of the innocents taking place in our country. This is why we are offering a DVD series entitled life is best that will equip you to stand for life and against this injustice.

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Thank you for your support right back on the Christian worldview radio program. I'm David Weeden host a website the Christian world you.org. Now I think we have information on our fall offense in mid-September events the Christian review speaker series asking to be Sunday, September 15 Grace Church, Eden Prairie Darrell Harrison were very much looking forward to having them come.

He's extremely insightful and biblical on this this issue of social justice how it's impacting the church and the gospel. He's going to be here were looking forward to him. That's a free events, no registration, no cost.

That's on Sunday, September 15 this afternoon, mark these down will be telling you about more about them over the summer, but just hopefully we get on your calendar for these events. That's on Sunday evening September 15 and then our annual Christian review golf and dinner event.

This is always a listener favorite on Monday, September 16 were having it again.

It would Hill country club, a beautiful setting for that event.

If you're a golfer.

Of course come for the golf is an incredible course, if you're not a golfer like two events and one you just come to the dinner event. Lots of people due to scum for the dinner move up usually have a very enjoyable evening there. Darrell Harris will be interviewed that one as well to so he'll be at both events, so we did them back to back so you can find out more about those on a web encouraged Marcos down on your your calendars. In the meantime, September 15 and the 16th okay today in the program why Christians should not drink alcohol. We've talked first in this follow-up to the interview with Lisa Anderson sin from boundless of Focus on the Family just about the. The Bible is clear actually prohibition. Now this isn't just an encouragement. This is a prohibition against drunkenness in the Bible and we talked till, drunkenness is not just maybe what we think it is all the time, drunkenness is anytime your influenced by alcohol as it says in that particular passage in Ephesians 5. Don't get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Holy Spirit when you're sober or the second that your influenced by alcohol.

Now you're pushing the Holy Spirit the side and you're being influenced by those liquid spirits now just as a little rabbit trail here. I think it's very interesting. The Bible always got of God's word always does things for a reason.

Verse 18 is don't get drunk with wine, but be filled with the spirit next verse, verse 19 speaking to another goes into music, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your being drunk to music all this say this is a little rabbit trail is in a little aside.

That is the power of music. Music has the power to influence think public almost out of tooth the full extent.

But let's just say, to some extent as alcohol does. That's how powerful music is and how we need to be circumspect not only to alcohol but to what kinds of music we listen to as well. What kind of music we imbibe to borrow a term as well. So just keep that in mind back to the topic here. Let's go down now to another passage on drunkenness or drinking. Let's say drinking alcohol in Proverbs 23. You probably heard this one as well. It says Proverbs 23 starting in verse 29 who has woe who has sorrow who has contention who has complaining who has wounds without cause, who has redness of eyes literate with all these terrible things happen to him who is this person who is it verse 30. Those who linger long over wine.

Those who go to taste mixed wine and says this, verse 31 do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly at the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper.

Your eyes will see strange things in your mind will utter perverse things and you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, or like one who lies down the top of a mast, they struck me by did not become ill.

They beat me, but I didn't even know it. When shall I awake I will seek another drink and in this passage I think communicates the allure of that the sophistication in the self-centeredness actually of drinking alcohol. In other words, there is this is the sophistication that I'm I'm old enough for this.

I'm a mature adult. I can do this I'm I'm relevant to, what's going on around me. I'm not an outlier, are not on the fringes another teetotaler I can handle this.

I am in the know with regards to what wines go with what foods I'm sophisticated and I'm on my own theirs and I'm not saying that everyone who drinks but there's certainly that mentality. There's that pure pressure to this eve. Not just when you're 19 years old and going off to the college campus. By the way, there is this subtle, pure pressure maybe not-so-subtle peer pressure, even in adulthood, 30s 40s 50s 60s like if you hold up a gathering your Houston you don't drink and you don't serve alcoholic with what's wrong with you. Are you some like freak like what would you like some legalist some some person that you know you for what you are afraid of or something is just crazy and we we hold our God. Speaking of a golf and dinner event. We do our golf and dinner event as a nonalcoholic event for a lot of the reasons were discussing today. Not because we said we think the Bible says thou shalt not drink because we think the Bible would wisdom would lead us to believe conclude that you should not drink and so that's what we hold that it was interesting. We get many favorable comments actually from people like you.

Thanks.

Thanks for doing that even from unbelievers at the club when we first talked to them about this that were not mature and alcoholic event.

That's a big loss of revenue potential revenue for them, money is made money is money is to be made when alcohol is served. People will pay a lot of money to drink alcohol but the surprising thing to us was the club and I'm not sure exactly why I'm surmising this they were like no problem, that's fine. I think currently the reasons could be is that when people come to these kinds of events in their alcohols being served. They drink too much, you know, because the a problem for the club doing with a bunch of people who are under the influence. In the event go south so just a little sideline example that yes, some people might perceive or see you as being outlier, but some people are good. I think that's a smart thing to do. And those people are probably people have negative experiences with alcohol in the past. So alcohol has is this allure of of sophistication and autonomy. But there are endless examples of those who have been overcome by it, not only people in modern day even pastors overcome by it. Look at the examples of Scripture like Noah. Noah after the flood comes out of the ark and he gets drunk and there is this big scene about him.

One of his sons uncovering his nakedness. He is doing things he should never been done if he hadn't been drinking.

There is the example of Lot, Abraham's nephew. He escapes God's judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah he goes out. Only his two daughters with him and he gets drunk and then he impregnates terrible story in Scripture of incest impregnates both of his daughters and the resulting consequences over the generations for that your member need to have anybody who the this sons of Eli think it is they were priests and they were they what they were at one end of the tabernacle tabernacle.

They are known as burning quote strange fire. They were worshiping God. The way they wanted to worship God according to their own designs. And yet, what is this say about them that they were constantly eating and gluttony rising in drinking alcohol. Tons of examples, both in modern-day and in Scripture of the negative side of drinking alcohol can now to the next point. We've gone from thou shalt not be drunk or influenced by alcohol to why people get involved in it. The bad examples of it. Now we get into, what's the point of it. First Corinthians chapter 6, all things are lawful for me, Paul writes to the Corinthian believers, the church that was in disarray, all things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything that gives the example.

Food food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food. That's the purpose of it. But God will do away with both of them. If the body is not for immorality but for the Lord and the Lord is for the body. In other words, your bodies been made for a purpose and is not made to have sexual intimacy outside of marriage. The body is not made for that and pulses, I will not be mastered by anything. All things may be lawful for me, maybe fine for me to eat and drink, but I will not be mastered by anything. In other words, the Christian, through the power of the Holy Spirit should not have to drink or eat or do anything, especially something that is controlling controlling you.

So if you're someone who is a believer and you drink. I think you should ask yourself this question, you should test yourself. According to Paul's words here about not being mastered by anything. If you drink see what it's like for you not to drink for one month or a couple months.

What is that like to you. Are you feeling totally fine about that.

That's is no problem at all if that's the case, you're probably not even close to being mastered by it. But if you're struggling to go a week of when try to do this.

This is a little harder than I thought to go a month ago too much. You should be able to go as long as you want without taking a sip of alcohol then you know you're not being mastered by it, but I think the fact is that most people vast majority of people who drink probably would struggle with going a month or two or three months without drinking received an email from a friend of mine before the show and when he saw the topic he said is been my experience that people who hate these types of programs love alcohol more than they think to those folks I say if you told me to give up like that, say, celery for a year I would have no problem with that. So why don't you give up alcohol for just one month and when you when that when there is a resistance that you suddenly see that there their lack of mastery over it is exposed and he went on to say my father was a world-class drunk and this is what you will hear from people who have really experienced alcohol in a bad sense. My father was a world-class drunk, a brilliant man who was shackled to a bottle and threw and threw everything away to pursue his first love which was tragic. He chose scotch over his beautiful wife for my mother which is a terrible choice. I've seen the power of alcohol. Whatever it offers. It isn't worth it. Boy, if we don't listen to that admonition you don't know what we will listen to it. Someone who's experienced it firsthand and yet we have one more segment coming up for a little more persuasiveness as to why Christians should not drink alcohol.

More coming up on the Christian review after this time David Wheaton get ready for your summer reading with the lowest prices of the year on my boy band and University of destruction, both written by David Wheaton and owned by the Christian world you readers have been touched by my boy Ben moving story of David's close companionship yellow land that culminates in an encouraging message about God's grace in the most trying times and if you know a high school or college student you want to read and give them the University of destruction your game plan for spiritual victory on campus.

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Both books make excellent gifts, especially when you request them signed and personalized the my boy Ben e-book is also available. Order online@thechristianworldview.org, by phone at 1888 646-2233 or by mail at Box 401, Excelsior, MN 55331 David Wheaton here to announce two events this coming September 1, on Sunday, September 15 at 7 PM at Grace Church Eden Prairie is the Christian review speaker series events and how social justice is impacting the church and the gospel featuring Darrell Harrison in insightful and biblical teacher and writer on this important to understand topic no cost.

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Again, the speaker series event this Sunday, September 15 in the Gulf and dinner event is Monday, September 16. To find out more, call us at 1888 646-2233 or visit the Christian world you down more final segment of the day here on the Christian review radio program as we talk about a sensitive topic to a lot of people why Christians should not drink alcohol a lot of things going on the world he could talk about this week.

The DJ celebration 75th anniversary of the invasion of Europe that save the world from Nazi's and that's a very important topic. Lots of other things we could do.

We chose to do this this week. You think it's an important topic as well, as well. For Christians, as this becomes increasingly prevalent within evangelicals to drink wine, drink beer or beer tastings with Bible study and moms groups with kids and sipping lime. It's just it's becoming. I've seen it. Lots of people see it, you probably have seen it. That's a big change. I don't think is good and well, so that's why were doing this program to to give some cautions and considerations with regards to drinking alcohol for Christians gone over, just as some of the biblical verses. Don't be drunk.

Don't be tipsy.

Don't be influenced by it. What's the allure of it examples that have been overcome by it and not be mastered by it. Now let's get into what the Bible says the fact that Jesus turned water into wine and Paul told Timothy here is in first Timothy chapter 5 is told he told him don't no longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine and for some a little for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. New course Jesus turned water into wine in Maine with what's that mean he stomach is making alcohol will back then you to realize the context the situation. Back then, water wasn't reliable as it is today you could go to the store and get clear, fresh, clean bottled water or just water out of your tap back then was much more risky to to drink water that was in it. I read an online study by wellness and sit in the time before modern refrigeration assess multiple drink fermented fermented juice because of that, the safety issue of drinking just water is possible.

Timothy sought to live as an example to to complete abstinence from wine, thereby avoiding any questions about his use of alcohol.

Unfortunately, this led to some sickness, and Paul told him to drink someone to assist. He was, not to become drunk, but can consume wine in the manner God intended such things to be used, or even Jesus turned water into wine in his first recorded miracle. Other biblical patches speak about the caution believers should use drinking alcohol in the importance of considering the needs of others in this area which then leads us to probably the most important thing to consider when we choose to drink alcohol comes in first Corinthians 8 in Romans 14 first Corinthians 8 says but fooled will not command us to God. We are neither the worst.

If we do not eat nor the better.

If we do it not sanctified more sanctified. If you don't drink alcohol that that's that's the point to be to be heard you're not up yet.

I'm a whole your Christian if you don't drink with make that clear. But here's next first verse nine. Take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the week. Now he uses the example of eating food sacrificed to idols, but the example of drinking alcohol could be exactly the same.

For if someone another person of the believer sees you, who has knowledge dining in an idle temp or drinking alcohol essay will not his conscience if he is week be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols or drink alcohol. For through your knowledge for your through your own conviction. He was weak is ruined, the brother, for whose sake Christ died and so by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience one this week, you sin against Christ. Therefore, food or drink allowed in because my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat or that, in drink alcohol again so that I will not cause my brother to stumble real quickly says the same thing in Romans chapter 14, let us not judge one another, but rather determined this not to put an obstacle or stumbling block in her brother's way.

I know when I am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself that was maybe, is not wrong to drink. You could insert that in their but to him who thinks it is wrong to him it is unclean for if because of food all add in drink, your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love do not destroy with your food. All insert drink him for whom Christ died. Therefore, do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil, for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but it's righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. First Corinthians 8, Romans 14. The biggest reason why I think Christians should not drink alcohol. Is this one because you may have incredible self-control.

You may never drink to the point where alcohol influences you in the slightest way or even slightly alters your spirit. You may have full liberty.

But when others see you drinking alcohol maybe is your spouse may be at your kids.

Maybe it's your extended family. Maybe it's other Christians. Maybe it's unbelievers anyone else purse have someone who is struggle welcome.

Alcohol, you are paving the way you are cut up opening the door to say hello so and so student looks okay your paving the way for them to drink then to drink too much and then to sin really that is that I think would probably even the biggest reason of all because of our our influence our testimony, our example other people.

So to try to sum this up. I was trying to think of one compelling reason to drink alcohol and I couldn't think of one are you thirsty or there's lots of other choices. Do you enjoy the taste of it. There's lots of other choices of good tasting things to drink other health benefits to I don't know of any health benefits to drinking alcohol that can't be mirrored by taking something else. You see other Christians doing it. Therefore, it's okay what they're not the standard. If you think it's an evangelistic tool you mean you think that alcohol has to be used of the gospel in God's word is not powerful enough and that drink having a drink with someone that's going to help your evangelistic really.

Just because you think or do you think it's is not wrong. The Bible doesn't clearly prohibit the consumption of alcohol. It does neither privet that the the smoking of cigarettes or anything else but you do that to mean that something but it's bad for your body. Why would you want to do that doesn't help.

So there many compelling reasons not to drink alcohol because it easily leads into sin against God.

There's a goods.

The expense cc examples other but I can't even think of one compelling reason to actually do drink alcohol limit is give a little qualifier little disclaimer here at the end the program if you've heard the whole program today and still continue to drink alcohol.

Please know that you are not going to throw me off. By doing so you're not going to lead me to drink. I will not look down on you. I will not separate from you, even unless you're getting drunk regularly in front of me but I will also not think that I'm holier than you because you drink and I don't ones, not as I mentioned earlier ones not sanctified by doing something you're not doing something else works righteousness, sanctification comes through the work of the Spirit in our lives when we surrender to and obey the word.

When we become more like Christ. So don't worry about me or anyone else. Hopefully, like me, you think like me to look down on you, but I will wonder what is the point of your drinking because I can't think of one compelling reason that a Christian should drink alcohol can think of one. If you have one you can certainly email me a feedback of the Christian were viewed.org. I'm very thankful as we conclude today that my parents did not drink.

We never had in our home they never gave it gave it to me to taste as a child I never develop a taste for it as an adult have no desire for now. I'm very thankful for that. But I do feel that because the subtle peer pressure in certain situations like you don't drink know what is just part of being a believer. That's nothing compared to the persecution and suffering that Christians face all over the world had a listener right I eliminated the taste.

God help me to eliminate the taste and desire of alcohol for my life last December when the occasional desire hits. I asked myself what would be the benefit of drinking and to that I respond. Indeed, what would be no way to live in a changing and challenging culture in which drinking is pushed even evangelical culture now, but there is one person, one thing we should always look to entrust in encounter on Jesus Christ and his word. There the same yesterday today and forever. We hope to broadcast turned your heart toward God's word and would receive a copy of the program or sign up for our free weekly email or to find out how you can be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ go to our website the Christian world dawdle: 431 Tripoli 646-2233. The Christian worldview is a weekly one-hour radio program that is furnished by the overcoming foundation is supported by listeners and sponsors request one of our current resources with your donation of any amount go to the Christian world dawdle or call us toll-free at one Tripoli 646-2230 3.2 was sent box was 1 Excelsior, MN 55331 that's Box 401, Excelsior, MN 55331.

Thanks for listening to the Christian world. Until next time think biblically and live according