Articles
On Social Drinking
Some issues just keep getting recycled. This is the case with social or private, recreational drinking of alcoholic beverages. More Christians seem to advocate drinking these days. In the interest of full disclosure, I admit a strong anti-drinking bias. I see absolutely no redeeming value in ingesting a drug for social reasons that is extremely dangerous.
Some Reasons to Not Drink Alcohol EVER
- I don’t want unbelievers to question my devotion to purity.
- I don’t want to support an industry that has destroyed individuals and polluted every society throughout history.
- I don’t want to run the risk of becoming addicted to any drug.
- I don’t want to get anywhere near the sin of drunkenness.
- I don’t know for sure what degree impairment is considered “drunk.”
- I don’t want to undermine my self-control, a fruit of the Spirit.
- I don’t want my children or grandchildren to take up drinking and cite me as their example.
- I don’t want to be dependent on a drug to enhance my enjoyment of life.
- I don’t want to act in the ungodly way I have seen others act when under the influence – childish, foolish, irrational, unstable, angry, emotional, etc.
- I don’t want to be oblivious to what I did on the occasion that I drank.
- I don’t want to do that which would cause me to lose respect for my elders, deacons and preacher if I saw them do it.
- I don’t want anything to compromise my inhibitions to sin.
- I don’t want to make my Christian guests or associates to feel uncomfortable as I know this is a controversial subject.
- I don’t want to run the risk of doing something foolish or hurtful knowing that I had alcohol in my system in any degree.
- I don’t want to be a stumbling block to someone who is fighting the urge to drink.
On the flip side …
Rationales for Moderately Drinking Alcohol
- I like the taste.
- I like the “buzz” alcohol gives me.
- I feel that alcohol makes it easier for me to open up and talk to others.
- Drinking is part of my cultural conditioning.
- Drinking is a normal part of my work environment.
- The Bible only condemns drunkenness, not drinking moderately.
There may be others, but these seem to be the prominent ones I have encountered. Very brief responses item by item:
1. In a country that has 10,000 types of non-alcoholic beverages to choose from, why in the world would a Christian advocate drinking those that pose potential danger? Is there no willingness at all to forego sensual, selfish pleasure for the greater spiritual good?
2. What, exactly, is the nature of that buzz? (I admit to not understanding this because I’ve never experienced it.) Is it something that cannot be gained from any other – more legitimate – source? If the answer is no, then it seems that an emotional dependence has already formed.
3. Ease of interaction with others is desirable, but to be truly satisfying it should come from character, not a drug. A “purchased” personality is not genuine. Should we not work to develop true interest in and concern for others that would allow us to converse with them naturally? Should we take a drink before worship in order to be more outgoing to visitors?
4. If anyone could have argued cultural conditioning as self-justification it would have been the Gentiles. But God expects us to overcome our conditioning by spiritual transformation and dependence on Him.
5. A normal part of some work environments also involves cheating and lying. Should these also be done to avoid discomfort? Could you not seek the respect of others by making a courteous, consistent stand on principle?
6. How do you define “drunk”? The more alcohol’s effect on the body is researched, the less it takes to become impaired. Are you willing to jeopardize your welfare or someone else’s to satisfy your thirst? (1 Cor 8:13)
