TCW Short Take #4: Why Christians Should Not Drink Alcohol

Probably the most important thing to speak about today is the Truth Network Podcast. Christ died and so by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food or drink I'll add in causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat or add in drink alcohol again so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

Real quickly, it says the same thing in Romans chapter 14. Let us not judge one another, but rather determine this, not to put an obstacle or stumbling block in a brother's way. I know and I am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. In other words, maybe it's not wrong to drink.

You could insert that in there, but to him who thinks it is wrong, to him it is unclean. For if because of food, I'll add in drink, your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food, I'll insert drink, him for whom Christ died. Therefore, do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but it's righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 8, Romans 14. The biggest reason why I think Christians should not drink alcohol is this one, because you may have incredible self-control. You may never drink to the point where alcohol influences you in the slightest way or even slightly alters your spirit. You may have full liberty, but when others see you drinking alcohol, maybe it's your spouse, maybe it's your kids, maybe it's your extended family, maybe it's other Christians, maybe it's unbelievers, anyone else, perhaps someone who has struggled with alcohol, you are paving the way. You are kind of opening the door to say, oh, so-and-so is doing, that looks okay. You're paving the way for them to drink, and then to drink too much, and then to sin. Really, that is, I think, probably even the biggest reason of all because of our influence, our testimony, our example to other people.