18/04/2021
Wine & Beer
Just like s*x, there is nothing wrong with wine and beer. Jesus made wine. Jesus took wine and asked us to commune with wine. The Apostle Paul advised Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach (1 Timothy 5:23).
But just like s*x outside marriage is sin, irresponsible consumption of alcohol (drunkenness) is sin. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul identifies drunkenness as a ‘work of the flesh’ just like s*xual immorality, and he warns that drunks will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Please don’t take even a glass of wine if it is perceived as sin in your neighborhood. In everything we do as Christians, we must consider the interests of others.
Romans 14:15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. 22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Have a good reason for what you do. Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23). If you know one bottle of beer will eventually lead you to countless bottles, don’t sip even an ounce.
If you’re an alcoholic, you can resolve to stop. Our habits lead to addictions. There’s no demon in you – don’t waste time with ‘deliverance prayers.’ President Donald Trump does not go to church. He decided never to take alcohol after seeing how the habit messed his brother. Devout Muslims do not touch alcohol yet they do not acknowledge Jesus as their savior. Drinking is a choice, not a demon.
While preaching in an open-air crusade in 1999, I prayed for a guy who was completely intoxicated by alcohol. We handed him over to a pastor friend of mine to be discipled. Today that guy is a pastor.
To overcome drunkenness, reverse the process that got you into this addiction. In all likelihood, you were lured by some friends and beer was easily accessible. To win your war against alcohol, (1) resolve to stop, (2) stop visiting your local joint and (3) surround yourself with new dignified friends.
Above all, invite God in this journey. Walk in the spirit and you’ll not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). This scripture DOES NOT say, ‘pray in the spirit,’ but rather, ‘walk in the spirit.’ No instant fixes. It’s a journey with God every day, every moment of your life.
DR. K. N. JACOB
We are the Church that believes that in order to preach the Gospel, there must be peace that our Lor
