Regarding the matter of the Christian and alcoholic beverage, let me say a few things, briefly. First of all Scripture teaches our responsibility to other people. We may not isolate ourselves from the whole. Furthermore, a tree is known by its fruit. From my point of view I know of no other one thing that holds so many in bondage and causes such extensive grief as drink. Multiplied millions are in bondage every hour of every day to it. The horrible things that I have witnessed in my ministry, as a result of alcoholism, are beyond words to describe. It is everywhere a battle for me and any other pastor who lives where the people are. Probably the number of alcohol-related deaths on the highway and in other forms of violence every single year would far surpass the number of deaths in the entire Vietnam War.

How can a Christian take part in such a thing as this which destroys so many?

Romans 14:20,21 (NIV) – “Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.”

If one argues as the Corinthians did with the Apostle Paul (Please note the NIV includes quote marks around the popular points of view they had apparently expressed to him; and, now he is answering them.) That drinking “is all right for me,” then I would suggest reading I Corinthians 6:12.

“‘Everything is permissible for me’-but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’-but I will not be mastered by anything.”

One last point should be made, also:

I Corinthians 10:24 (NIV) – “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”

These issues go far beyond the hackneyed arguments over whether people in Bible times drank wine or not. Of course they did. But their drinks could hardly be compared with ours today. With them it was an only form of preserving liquid where water was scarce and polluted everywhere and the drink itself is both strong and a terrible immoral pollutant on our society. Those who want to serve God have to stand clear and strong in this matter. The Scripture teaches the very principles that would demand it. Or, else I know neither humanity or the Scriptures!

The decision is up to you. Now the Lord bless you and guide you.