intoxicating constituent of wine,beer and spirits.
Alcoholic beverages include:
1.spirits[gin,vodka,rum,whiskey,tequila,brandy].
2. Liquors[flavoured spirits].
3.Wines and champagne[Red wine,white wine,rose
wine,champagne,sparkling wine,vermouth].
4.Beer[Ale,lager,cider]. On the other hand, Non-Alcoholic mixers
include: water,juice,sparkling beverages,syrups,coffee and chocolate.
Paul commanded early christians to take wine in
moderation[Eph5:18,1Tim3:8,Titus2:3] and also for health
reasons[1Tim.5:23].
On the other hand we are told that "Wine is a mocker,strong drink is
raging(causes violence) and whosoever is decieved thereby is not
wise"(Pro.20:1), Paul commanded prospective bishops not to take wine
at all[1Tim3:3,Titus1:7] and also God, through an angel commanded
zacharias to make sure John-the-baptist,neither take wine nor strong
drink when he is born[Luke1:15].
The question now is; should we as christians take Alcohol?.
The following points will answer these questions.
1.AS CHRISTIANS,WE ARE EPISTLES:
'Ye are our epistle written in our hearts,known and read of all men'(2Cor.3:2).
Do you know as a christian, people look up to you, you are the
bible,most young christians read and If we say we would take Alcoholic
drinks in moderation,what then would be our advice to young
christians, To also take it in moderation?.
You tell a former drunkard(an alcoholic addict) who have just recieved
Christ to take Alcohol in moderation,without abusing it and you think
he will.
Even some, who claim they are taking it in moderation,have they never
got intoxicated before?.
Similarly,you hear some so called christian Ladies tell you this: 'If
any man likes let him lust after me, God knows my heart'[while she is
indecently dressed]. Where is Love?[The greatest of all
commandments(matt22:37-40)]. You don't care if your actions and
lifestyle will affect others.
The same Apostle Paul who told early christians to take wine in
moderation,after observing that some young believer's faith had been
ship wrecked as a result of what older believers ate and drank,came to
this conclusion: '...no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to
fall in his brother's way' '...destroy not him with thy meat,for whom
Christ died' '...It is good neither to eat flesh nor to drink wine,
nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth,or is offended.or is made
weak[Rom14:13,15,21]. You think you would go unpunished If your
brother get trapped in drunkenness because of your advice and conduct.
As we know God is against drunkenness[Gal5:21,1Cor.6:10] and If wine
or any other alcoholic drink will lead to drunkenness, why not put it
far from you?,why keep it near?why try to play smart with an object of
temptation and advice others to do same.
2. IT IS DESTRUCTIVE TO GOD'S TEMPLE:
'know ye not that ye are the temple of God,and that the Spirit of God
dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God
destroy;for the temple of God is holy,which temple ye
are[1Cor.3:16-17].
Research tells us that continous intake of alcohol causes liver
problems as well as damages the pancreas,heart and brain. As we know,
it is sinful and inhuman to intentionally destroy with your own hands,
what God formed and created [since we are God's craft and handiwork].
SHOULD WE TAKE MEDICINES WITH LITTLE ALCOHOL IN THEM?
Many cold,flu,cough syrup and allergy medicines contain little
percentage of alcohol(but not enough to intoxicate and also not meant
for pleasure but for cure).
They should be taken because the alcohol in them is meant to dissolve
the ingredient in them(that cannot be dissolved by water) and also to
preserve the medicine.
However, purported medicines with high alcoholic content should be avoided.
WHAT ABOUT WORKING OR BUYING SHARES IN AN ACOHOLIC COMPANY
It is also sinful to buy shares or work in any acoholic firm. It
simply means you are encouraging and supporting the dangers caused by
drunkenness.
Do you know the annual figure of auto-crash incidence caused by
alcohol intake? Just imagine that your money or your effort
contributed to that.
'though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished...'(Pro.11:21)
Are you trapped in Alcoholism, God still forgives. Admit your
sins,repent of it(regret it and make up your mind not to go back to it
again),confess your sins,ask God for forgiveness and believe in your
heart that Christ died and rose to remit your sins and make sure you
dissociate from your former friends and make new friends with genuine
christians.
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