Why Not Drink Alcohol?

This is an article from one of my favorite professors - Dr. French Arrington

Biblical wisdom warns us against the use of strong drink, but in North America, millions are enslaved to the drinking of alcohol. If the Bible were to have said nothing against drinking, just considering the tremendous toll the use of strong drink has taken on the people in this country is a clear indication that abstinence is the only risk-free practice. Alcohol-related problems emerge in the home, job, money, health, and legal matters and have devastating consequences for millions of peoples and their families. Even festive drinking has the potential for disaster. With its ability to lower inhibitions, the drinking of alcohol leads to all sorts of criminal behavior and violence. It brings emotions and tensions to the surface and under its influence individuals often do not consider the consequences of their actions.

Christians do not have the freedom that allows for behavior that has the potential of destroying their own lives and the lives of others. Rather, they have a moral responsibility to be examples in lifestyle and to consider how they can best serve and edify others. In fact, many non-Christians have high expectations of Christians and one of those expectations is that they not drink. A large number of those whom Christians hope to win to the Lord have family members and friends who have been deeply affected by alcohol. It is hard for Christians who imbibe to reach the lost, especially the lost who have experienced the tragedy of alcohol in their families and friends. Even though social, psychological, and physical arguments against alcohol consumption are very important considerations, for the Christian the most important argument against drinking should be, “What does the Lord say?” According to the Bible, God will hold all Christians responsible for their behavior (Rom. 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:12-13; 2 Cor. 5:10). It makes no difference whether we believe we have a right to participate in certain activities. What really counts is what God thinks about our behavior. Given the health problems and tragedies associated with alcoholic beverages and the warnings of Scripture against its use, it is unthinkable to us that God is pleased with the social and recreational drinking of Christians. Every Christian should strive daily to live so that on the Day of Judgment the Lord will declare, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That day awaits us all.

Today, American Christians find themselves in an increasingly secular, immoral, and undisciplined culture—a culture affected drastically by the abuse of alcohol. The grave danger for believers is their adopting the mindset of this culture, which focuses on personal pleasure and the liberty to do whatever one desires. There are several reasons for practicing abstinence; and as people of faith, we do well to follow the biblical principles and not touch beer, wine, or liquors. Four principles—Christ’s lordship, edifying others, proper treatment of the body, and doing all to God’s glory—are crucial to our decisions. These principles indicate to Christians that the best practice in regard to the use of alcohol is total abstinence for the sake of oneself, for the sake of others, and for the sake of the gospel.—Excerpted from Issues in Contemporary Pentecostalism