When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Gal 5:19-21 NLT
While writing this series, I have read the above portion of this passage each week and have been praying and pondering what to write this week.
As a pastor, it is a question that I get asked often by Christian individuals or couples. And, just as often, I reveal that I will give my answer; however, I will then ask the person doing the asking a question.
The question is all to familiar, perhaps, for you too. It is,
"Is it a sin to have a drink of alcohol?"
Couples want to have a bottle of wine on their anniversary dinner. Some may want to celebrate family and/or Holiday events with champagne. Still others, look forward to a beer after work or during the game.
Controversial? Yes. Is there a practical and sensible answer? I believe there is.
Is having a drink of alcohol a sin? Initially? No. However, in doing so, one must accept the responsibility for one's own actions. Do you know how you will be effected? Do you understand how doing so may effect others. It can be a slippery slope as even one drink can effect your reason, especially because of our obedience to scriptures mandate (Ephesians 5:18 & 1 Peter 4:3)
Personally, I do not have an answer to the latter question. I am not always aware of who may be watching my life or watching our marriage. So, our default, is abstinence. I do not want any of my actions to cause a problem for someone else.
With all that, I also realize that some Christians take this position to the extreme and will not even associate with Christian people who will have a drink from time to time. We don't advocate that, as relationships are precious to us.
As for couples who do not know Christ, we don't initially make it an issue. No one has to change who they are or what they do to be a friend of Dave & Robin Kidd. We are thrilled at the chance to let the Spirit minister to them through the observed example in our lives, marriage and family.
Now for the question that I always ask.
The question is this,
"Why do you want to know?"
Most individuals or couples who ask if it is a sin to have a drink of alcohol are really asking where the "line" is. They, often, want to know because they want to camp out on that line, with their toes just crossing it.
I believe that, in many cases, there is a spirit of rebellion behind the question. So many of us, either in the past or currently, want to live so close to the edge, so close to the line, so we can maintain the self-illusion of having our cake and eating it too.
We try to have a right relationship with God and have fun in the world. When the Bible talks about being separate from the world, it is a spiritual separation - not thinking , saying or doing the sinful things that the world does. I believe we can do that and maintain Christ's influence on the world.
How is your marriage and your life influencing those around you? How is it effecting the marriages and lives around you?
Be the example. Be the friends. Be the couple that helps other couples put drunkenness on marriages death row.
For Marriages & Families,
Dave
