One of the biggest issues that I find my friends (non-Christian and Christian) dealing with is drinking and partying. They battle with when is it “too much” or “too far”, they walk the thin line between “right” and “wrong” and they claim that the Bible does not answer these questions.
Over the past week of my daily Bible reading, verses had been jumping out at me regarding this topic, and I decided to compile them and explain them the best way that I could, in order that you might see what God says on the matter of drinking and partying.
“Do not get drunk of wine which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit”
Ephesians 5:18
This was the first verse that struck me when I decided to stop drinking a couple years ago. This verse seems to be quite explicit in saying that getting drunk is a definite NO in Gods books. Of course, many would argue that it says “off of wine” and to not get drunk only because it causes debauchery. This verse seems to be saying that we should not partake in anything that leads to excessive indulgence in worldly things to please our senses (think – even excessive eating is a sin), but instead we should be filled with the Spirit, who brings pleasure to the soul.
“Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things”
Colossians 3:2
Having read Colossians 3:2, I began to think about what were these “earthly things” that Paul was referring to, which led me to question why people drink in the first place. Think about why you would drink if you were at a party; of course to “have fun” - but why do you need this alcohol in your system to have fun? Perhaps it is so that you can fit in, so that you could do things that you wouldn’t do on a regular day, you could release your inhibitions. Many people I know depend on getting drunk so that they can approach someone that they would normally be intimidated of, or so that they can hook up with someone and not have to be fully responsible for their actions. Sometimes people drink so that they can be wild – so that they can get attention. Why do you want to drink? It probably isn’t to bring God glory. Is it to bring yourself glory or gratification? Those are earthly things and we are told to set our mind to things ABOVE earth.
“As the body without spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead”
James 2:26
It is what it is. You can say that you believe in God, that you’re a Christian. In saying this, you are saying that you are living your life for Christ, trying to be like him – but are you really? As the body without spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead; you need to be reflecting Christ through your actions. You need to show, through your deeds, that you have faith in the one and only God. If you’re drinking, what does that say about Christians and their beliefs to those who don’t know what Christianity is all about? Christians are supposed to be set apart from the world – being a Christian means being Christ like. Jesus Christ should be the center of our lives, and if you are acting like everyone else, there is something seriously wrong with that.
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God”
Galatians 5:19-21
It’s obvious – drunkenness is an act of sinful nature. Paul classifies drunkenness under the same category as witchcraft and idolatry. And he states it plain and simple – those who partake in these acts will not inherit the kingdom of God.
So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth”
Revelation 3:16
We cannot live as lukewarm Christians! We cannot proclaim Christ as Lord on Sundays, but on Friday nights (implicitly) proclaim “fun” as our Lord – God will not allow it. We must be living all for Christ, with our mind, soul, spirit and body.
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness”
Romans 6:11-13
This verse (all of these verses, really) speak for themselves. Think about the things that you do when you are drunk, things you do with your body. Are you offering any parts of yourself as an instrument of wickedness? You should be offering every part of yourself to God as an instrument of righteousness – I don’t think parading around intoxicated is righteous.
“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins”
James 4:17
I think you know the good you ought to do or the bad you ought not to do. Do the good and stop the bad!
“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 standup under it”
1 Corinthians 13
You can do it. You can resist the temptation of drinking. God will make it possible; he never will allow you to be tempted past the point of saying no. I can attest to that, as I once was struggling with the issues that you are now struggling with! (Check out my Testimony).
This about the reason why you drink; what you enjoy about it. Then think about whether those things glorify God.
I didn’t write this article to make you feel guilty; I wrote it so that you may see the light. God intended for us to have a full life! He would never say that we shouldn’t do something if it would hurt us – he says we shouldn’t do something because he knows what is best for us!
