Drinking is one of those things that many Christians’ opinions differ on. I believe that God doesn’t have a problem with ‘drinking’, His problem is with excess.
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, Behold, a Man Who is a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and notorious sinners.
Luke 7:34 AMP
Jesus drank wine, yet he led a life that was sin free. It isn’t sinning to drink, as long as you don’t go past your limit. If you don’t know where to stop, then don’t start. If this means you stop drinking altogether, then so be it. If you drink too much you make yourself vulnerable, not only in the flesh but also in the spirit. You are pushing God away from yourself. Your body is a temple for Him and you are defiling it.
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor 6:9-11 NIV
I know this is a big chunk, but it pretty much covers it. God’s kingdom can extend to every area of your life. It isn’t just Heaven. If you are a drunkard, or any of the other things mentioned, you aren’t accepting your inheritance of the kingdom of God. It’s there for you, but in effect you are pushing it away. This isn’t to say you can only be a part of God’s kingdom if you have never been drunk. In verse 11, it shows even if that was you, you have been washed because of our Redeemer – Jesus – and the Spirit of God.
Making MistakesWhen you are drunk you do things you wouldn’t always normally do. You take more risks. You make more mistakes. God wants what is best for us, and He knows better than anyone how much the consequences may hurt us. You don’t have to put yourself into that position.
I have seen friends make mistakes, and I have seen many consequences. It hurts me to see my friends do those things, so how much does it hurt our God who loves us more than we can ever understand? No matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise, every action has consequences, for us and others.
People think it is ‘normal’ to go and get drunk, but you are damaging your body, mind and spirit. Even if it is ‘normal,’ should we as Christians do this? No! People should be able to tell there is something different about us from our actions. If we do stuff just because everyone else is, then what kind of example are we setting?
Don't drink too much wine, for many evils lie along that path; be filled instead with the Holy Spirit and controlled by him. Eph 5:18 TLB
Alcohol is a drug; it is addictive. You don’t necessarily realise when you are addicted to something. God does. He wants us to only be addicted to one thing: Him! “Just one glass more. It can’t hurt can it?” - When alcohol tempts you, remember this verse:
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor 10:12-13 NIV
This doesn’t mean God will knock the glass out of your hand so you can’t drink it, it means he will provide strength for you to say no, you just have to accept it. It may mean that your friends laugh at you, or someone’s money was wasted – but it’s worth it in the long run.
Melody Redman