Straight From The Heart

Alcohol:
The Golden Calf in the Body of Christ
By Bill Hubbard

As a young man, even before I gave my heart to Jesus, I made a decision to be a non-drinker.  Part of that decision was out of fear of parental wrath.  Part of it was because I simply did not like the taste.  Part of it was because I lost a lot of respect for people I otherwise held in high esteem, once I had seen them “under the influence.”  Looking back, I have to say that this decision certainly uncomplicated a lot of matters in my life over the years.

When I became a Christian in 1970, partaking of alcoholic beverages by someone who claimed the name of Christ was simply not done.  For the few who did, it was frowned upon greatly by the rest of the believers, and you could bet that the one who had dared to have a beer or a glass of wine – even in his own home – would be taken to task about it by a brother or sister in the Lord.

Somewhere along the line in the past 38 years or so, the tide turned.  Today, there has been almost a 180 degree turn from the position held in 1970, in that the non-drinking believers are now in the great minority.  Evangelicals and Charismatics have become more relaxed and seemingly less vocal on many issues which used to cause them to speak up.  Someone figured out that you didn’t necessarily have to be wearing a tie on Sunday morning in order to properly worship the Lord.  Granted, some things needed to be re-examined.  But, somehow – somewhere – Christian alcohol consumption became one of those relaxed issues.

I am not sure, however, that the Christian’s partaking of alcoholic beverages ever was “re-examined.”  It appears to have just sort of “happened.”  So, what changed?  God?  God’s Word?  Or, was it us and our attitudes?  Or, did we get sucked in by society?  Do we need to examine where we are today?   As I travel Christian circles and fellowships, I cannot help but wonder if in some of these issues we have gone too far in “relaxing,” and perhaps need to rethink some attitudes and reclaim some lost ground.

Born-again proponents of alcohol consumption are quick to point out that it appears Jesus drank wine (though I challenge you to show me in Scripture where that happened), and even in Paul’s writings, certain consumption even seems to be encouraged (I Tim 5:23).  Then, there is the endless argument as to whether this was grape juice or truly fermented wine as we know today.  For my purposes today, though, the “grape juice vs. wine” dialog is superfluous.

In light of the current plight of society and our witness collectively to a culture who most definitely does not have a pro-religion view as there was in biblical times, I believe a strong biblical case can be built that the modern day Church of Jesus Christ needs to rethink the commonly held position that “It’s okay for a Christian to drink.”

Granted, there is also teaching against hypocrisy and having an “appearance of godliness” (II Tim 3:5) when the heart is empty.  But, if the heart is full of Jesus, why shouldn’t our outward conduct reflect a full and grateful heart?  It is a problem that you can’t tell the saved from the unsaved much anymore by how people are acting – and I don’t mean by wearing a cross, either.  I have seen some atrocious behavior by people wearing crosses!

We live in a day of easy compromise.  The Church is caught up in it, too.  Sexual sin is prevalent among the saved and unsaved, couples are living together without having been married, the leaders of churches are willfully accepting all sorts of non-biblical behavior as it becomes part of “mainstream” Christianity, and we believers just stand by tacitly and become complacent (or participate) in all sorts of behavior that one generation ago would have stood a believer’s hair on end.

So, consider…

1. We are called to be set apart (I Pet 2:9).
2. We are told to give no opportunity to the devil (Eph 4:27) and avoid even the appearance of evil (I Thes 5:22).
3. If indeed we are kings and priests in Christ (Rev 1:6), then drinking is actually prohibited by Scripture (Pr 31:4,5).  Also, those set apart for service as Nazarites were not only forbidden to drink wine, but they didn’t drink juice or even eat raisens (Nu 6:3).   Are we, as Christians, any less set apart for God’s special purpose of bringing the Gospel to the world?
4. We are called to be examples and not stumbling blocks, particularly to the weaker (Rm 14:21).
5. Every Christian “social drinker” I have visited with will admit to having been drunk, or having been driving when they should not.  A potential “witness killer” stands at your door!  (If you read this and say, “Not me!” then read I Timothy 3:6 and Proverbs 16:18.)
6. Drinking Christians admit to using alcohol to relax or provide a place of solace when under stress.  Christ is our refuge in those times! (Ps 9:9, Ps 57:1, Ps 62:8, Ps 91:2, et al).
7. Alcohol impairs judgment.  With impaired judgment, we stand at the door of a host of damaging and sinful behavior.  Why would a right-thinking Christian want to intentionally do anything that he knows will impair his judgment? (Rm 12:1-2).
8. When we drink, we send a mixed message in our witness.  We send a mixed message concerning holiness and being set apart.  We send a mixed message to our young people.  We are playing with fire, and open the door to others who feel it is okay to drink because so many are doing it, that some get thrown into the throes of alcoholism.  Let me tell you about a couple of pastors that I know!
9. If you are a Christian who drinks, who does not over-indulge, and who has never been drunk, I will bet you can name one Christian you know who drinks too much.  What does your drinking say to him?
10. I find it interesting that Christians will not spend their money at certain hotel chains, because they don’t want to support non-Christian businesses.  The same can be said for certain foods and other products.  But, when it comes to alcoholic beverages, we are quick to put our money down, and thereby support an industry that is at the very heart of underage drinking, alcoholism, DWI, and domestic violence.  Why would any right thinking believer want to give their money to such a cause?
11. There are behaviors other than drinking which appear to be supported by Scripture, but are not.  Consider, for example, slavery.
12. Those who want to argue that “Jesus drank wine” (which is nowhere in the Bible) would be well advised to see that Jesus also walked or rode a donkey everywhere He went.  As you can see, there are certain arguments for a point that are patently absurd.  If Israel had the alcohol problem in biblical times that America has today, I can guarantee that Jesus would be a non-drinker!

If anyone who is reading this thinks I am way off base, standing alone on this issue, and completely out of touch, I would encourage you to read, “Sipping Saints” by David Wilkerson.  Wilkerson is the author of The Cross and the Switchblade, as well as the pastor of Times Square Church in New York City.  He has held the “non-drinking Christian” position for decades.  See http://www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?id=184&rc=1&list=multi

Lastly, if you have read this and are just boiling mad at me, or if you have built a defense in your mind for a pro-drinking position, I would have to ask, “Why?”  Is your beer or wine that important to you?  If so, why?  Could it be that it has become an idol – a golden calf – that needs to be cast aside in order to find a deeper walk with Jesus?  If you won’t even consider what I am espousing – why?

Is having a drink sin?  I can’t build a biblical case that it is.  So, if it isn’t sin, why not go on and do it?  Go back and look at the bullet points on the previous page.  I am not calling the drinkers in the Body to repentance.  I am calling us all to a closer walk with Jesus! (Rm 13:14).

Blessings to all who have taken the time to read this!  Holy Spirit power to those who are Christian drinkers who will give this some prayerful consideration.

All for Jesus!