There have been so many issues within our family and friends with alcohol that I wanted to present my point of view here. I don't ever want anybody around me to look at me and think that I think that I'm better than anybody. I don't want to seem judgemental at all --- and I don't want to seem anything less than loving and forgiving. But I also can't help that the purity and light God has allowed to be shone through me offends the sin in others. Like my post below -- I want to step on people's toes without scuffing up their shoes. I want their sin to feel a bit challenged in my presence -- but not their character or themselves personally.
I want to find out specifically how to do this.
My viewpoint is this:
Just like my post about TV below. There is nothing inherently WRONG or EVIL with TV or alcohol. Like most things in this earth - it can be used for good and even used for God's ministry Ecclesiastes 9:7, Psalm 104:14-15, Amos 9:14, Isaiah 55:11 - OR it can be distorted and manipulated by the enemy and his demons. It can be used for a very self destructive and society destructive tool. It can be a way to tear apart churches, break down individuals and families - and be a vehicle for a lot more sins to enter in (a gateway).
So my belief is that it is OK to drink. The Bible makes me believe Jesus 'drank' and hung with those who did... John 2:1-11; Matthew 26:29; Luke 7:34...... I do believe it's OK to have a glass of wine with dinner. It's OK to have a beer while celebrating the New Year. BUT there are two big IF's.
I want to find out specifically how to do this.
My viewpoint is this:
Just like my post about TV below. There is nothing inherently WRONG or EVIL with TV or alcohol. Like most things in this earth - it can be used for good and even used for God's ministry Ecclesiastes 9:7, Psalm 104:14-15, Amos 9:14, Isaiah 55:11 - OR it can be distorted and manipulated by the enemy and his demons. It can be used for a very self destructive and society destructive tool. It can be a way to tear apart churches, break down individuals and families - and be a vehicle for a lot more sins to enter in (a gateway).
So my belief is that it is OK to drink. The Bible makes me believe Jesus 'drank' and hung with those who did... John 2:1-11; Matthew 26:29; Luke 7:34...... I do believe it's OK to have a glass of wine with dinner. It's OK to have a beer while celebrating the New Year. BUT there are two big IF's.
a) IF you don't get drunk Pr 23:21 - Eph 5:18 Getting DRUNK is clearly something that the pagans chose to have in their lives -- and since our society is running toward that direction of the pagan lifestyle --- that shows me I need to run the opposite way.... Nothing should have control over our bodies - except us. 1 Peter 4:3
and b) IF there is NOBODY around that would be offended or anybody that has fallen into sin through alcohol that could be tempted I Corinthians 8:9-13
and b) IF there is NOBODY around that would be offended or anybody that has fallen into sin through alcohol that could be tempted I Corinthians 8:9-13
Drunkenness and addiction are sins.
So I won't drink even a drop anymore in front of anybody that has had problems with drugs or alcohol or even just having a little too much to drink. I won't even have a taste of something or provide it at my parties if I know there will be somebody there that will be tempted and doesn't have control or will abuse it.
I think I can count on my hand the number of times I've seen my parents drink - I didn't see them drink until I turned 18! So alcohol isn't a huge part of my side of the family at all - I really won't miss it and I don't even care for most of it.
I just don't understand why some people don't ever learn from their own mistakes or the mistakes of their grown KIDS or the mistake of their siblings or spouse or PARENT! I know they don't believe alcohol in itself is bad --- they believe it was the person that was drinking it that didn't have control --- but no matter whose 'fault' it is -- why play with fire!??! Even if it's just a glass a night. Just get it out of the house and it's one less thing to worry about! At least it won't be on your heart if somebody falls to sin because of something YOU have directly provided or taught. Sin always comes in ONE little step at a time. It's never the HUGE things that kills us - it's the small things we let slip without even thinking about it. Like the frog that gets boiled in the pan! You remember that right!?
I just pray I can do this all in a way that won't seem like I'm trying to separate myself from ones I love. I pray that people won't look at me in contempt and want to say, "take off your robe (judge)". I pray that it won't seem like I think I'm so much 'better' than anybody. and I pray that even though I know my light will offend the sin in others --- I pray that people can look at me and see Jesus. I believe He offended the sin in others but never offended the person. He is love and was love while He was on earth. I want to be accepting and forgiving of others always.
I think I can count on my hand the number of times I've seen my parents drink - I didn't see them drink until I turned 18! So alcohol isn't a huge part of my side of the family at all - I really won't miss it and I don't even care for most of it.
I just don't understand why some people don't ever learn from their own mistakes or the mistakes of their grown KIDS or the mistake of their siblings or spouse or PARENT! I know they don't believe alcohol in itself is bad --- they believe it was the person that was drinking it that didn't have control --- but no matter whose 'fault' it is -- why play with fire!??! Even if it's just a glass a night. Just get it out of the house and it's one less thing to worry about! At least it won't be on your heart if somebody falls to sin because of something YOU have directly provided or taught. Sin always comes in ONE little step at a time. It's never the HUGE things that kills us - it's the small things we let slip without even thinking about it. Like the frog that gets boiled in the pan! You remember that right!?
I just pray I can do this all in a way that won't seem like I'm trying to separate myself from ones I love. I pray that people won't look at me in contempt and want to say, "take off your robe (judge)". I pray that it won't seem like I think I'm so much 'better' than anybody. and I pray that even though I know my light will offend the sin in others --- I pray that people can look at me and see Jesus. I believe He offended the sin in others but never offended the person. He is love and was love while He was on earth. I want to be accepting and forgiving of others always.
So just like my post below --- I have to make sure I understand and help those around me understand that my actions are NOT what makes me a christian. What makes me a christian is that I accepted Jesus into my heart and believe He died and rose for ME. It is simply my duty AS a christian to raise the bar (no pun intended) for my life and truly follow what the word of God is teaching me.
It's my duty to show that the only true FUN and JOY and PARTYING comes from God! So let's have FUN fellow christians! Let's show that He is the one that can fill your heart so that one little drop of Him will be enough to satisfy. Let's be light hearted and smily and friendly and accepting and loving and FUN!!! Enjoy all the beauty and fun He has given us!!! When non-christians see how much fun we have, see how much we love each other and see the joy and peace we have... THAT is when hearts are changed!!
So I think that's all I have to say about that for now.
So here is what I'm thinking ----- a good rule of thumb for my life: *** Observe the masses - do the opposite! ***
So here is what I'm thinking ----- a good rule of thumb for my life: *** Observe the masses - do the opposite! ***