The Christian and Alcohol!

Letter to forum members who justified Boozing!

Gentlemen, you have all agreed that strong drink in ‘moderation’ is ok. But could you please explain where we draw the line as far as ‘moderation’ is concerned. If you mean, how much we can handle and still walk the straight line; some of us ex druggies can handle quite a lot and still behave ‘normal’. Does that mean its ok?

Does not scripture warn that, ‘Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is
deceived thereby is not wise’.[Prov 20:1]. And again, ‘Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. [Prov 23:31,32].
“Oh but you don’t know me, I can sure hold my drink and know my limits”! Ha, so said every drunkard now lying in the gutter. [Probably Noah and Samson also reasoned thus!]

Strong drink, whether wine or whisky is something that defiles a man. The question of temperance or moderation does not arise at all. “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. [Dan 1:8]. “But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. [Isa 28:7].

King Lemuel’s mother was convinced that strong drink had the potential to destroy. Hence she warns her son, “Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. [Prov 31-5].

Our Lord Jesus Christ hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father [Rev 1:6]. So please let us quit justifying ourselves in that which we allow. Let us consider the preponderance of the scriptures on every given issue. If pretty much the whole tenor of scripture forbids and warns about the dangers of wine drinking, and a verse here or there seems to support it, we ought to know what judgement to make.
Yes, Wine is the gift of God. “It maketh glad the heart of man.” [Psa 104:14, 15.] Yea — by a bold figure of its refreshment — it is said to “cheer God” also. [Judg 9:13.] Yet it is not for Christians— for their indulgences and sinful excitement, but for those that need it. As restoratives and refreshments cordials are seasonable in the hour of need. Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish; as the Samaritan gave it to the wounded traveler [Luk 10:34]; and as Paul prescribed it for “the infirmities” of his beloved son in the faith. [1 Tim 5:23.] Many a sinking spirit may be revived, and forget his misery under a well-timed restorative.

But so much for the ‘benefits’.
When we are done quoting all the scripture we can find to justify our boozing, let us go and learn what that meaneth –

“Whoredom and wine and new wine TAKE AWAY THE HEART! [Hosea 4:11].