Many Christian adults drink alcohol. You may be asking: “Is that a problem?” After all, Scripture does not forbid alcohol even if it names drunken behaviors as sinful. And Christians don’t want to become addicts; but are entitled to legally, freely, and responsibly enjoy the comforts, pleasures, and activities that come with alcoholic beverages. There’s even gospel grace for occasional over-drinking. So why the article and uncomfortable title?

The Dilemma

Most Christians spend all their time working and going to school with a majority of nonbelievers, keep up with world events through secular social media, are bombarded with hard-to-resist ads and messages, live in an anxious, discouraging world, and during a pandemic have even less time in worship services and church activities. No human can resist cultural persuasions, such as the allure of alcohol, without being intentional. So, the purpose of this article, while not exhaustive, is to raise your awareness of worldly influence on Christians when it comes to the use of alcohol, and help you begin to think about whether you need to make some changes in your decisions.

A Personal Evaluation

Use the following list to help you know if alcohol plays an integral role in your life:

• Do you regularly serve wine, beer, or mixed drinks in your home with meals and guests?  Do you have certain routines in your home or lifestyle that always include alcohol?
• Do you attend activities where drinking has such a heavy presence it is noticeable and/or uncomfortable for some not to be drinking?
• What would happen to your friendships and social life if you stopped drinking or cut way back?
• Has it become a regular part of how you plan your activities?
• Are you using alcohol to provide peace, relief, and comfort in place of a medical treatment plan, a healthier lifestyle, and spiritual/relationship growth?
• Has drinking led to lack of self-control and therefore doing damage control the next morning?

For Parents To Consider

• If wine is almost always flowing at your dinner parties, there’s daily happy hour in your kitchen, and the cooler is a permanent fixture at the game and every other activity, your kids will absorb this as the way to do life. Even if you tell them otherwise. And they’ll do it at younger ages and more carelessly than you want them to. So, even if you want to enjoy alcohol while raising your children, it’s crucial to regularly demonstrate the ability to enjoy your friends and sports without alcohol.
• The next generation is being raised in a Biblically illiterate culture. Social media teaches them to have fun, be sexual, seek pleasure, and escape from hardships. They will not know their purpose in life is to become Christ-like and God-glorifying unless you prioritize the same calling for yourself and then teach it to them.
• Emotional maturity, a selfless attitude, self-control, spiritual disciplines, and resistance to addiction do not come naturally to humans. Additionally, the world scoffs at being virtuous. Young people will benefit greatly if they are taught the benefits of controlling their mood with wisdom and restorative disciplines, making sacrifices for the good of others, saying no when they want to say yes, pursuing godliness, and living with an eternal perspective. And one way to model these traits is through your decision-making regarding alcohol.
• Regularly check in with your teens and young adults to see how much temptation they’re experiencing, what decisions their friends are making about drinking, and how you can provide understanding and practical help.

For Friends To Consider

• High numbers of Christians are seeking counseling, attending A.A. (Alcoholics Anonymous), or suffering in private because they have an issue with alcohol and don’t have fellowship in the Body of Christ fighting for them, holding them accountable and walking them into a loving, transformative relationship with their heavenly Father.
• You may have friends who are significantly tempted, have unmet emotional needs, and struggle when they’re around alcohol. Respectfully find out which of your loved ones are fighting this battle. They need you to be thoughtful and sensitive without shaming them. Abstaining from alcohol permanently or at least in their presence is good for them and not a loss for you.
• Be aware of the emotional needs alcohol is pretending to meet for those who are struggling, and encourage soul care.
• Nonbelievers are watching you. Of course, you don’t want to be legalistic and show them a religion of rules; neither His statutes nor your personal convictions and performance are the basis of relationship with Him. Instead, you want them to see that the Spirit of Jesus enables you to have peace, joy, delight, contentment, and rich blessings even if you choose not to drink sometimes or ever.

Deciding To Make Changes

• Remember, there’s grace for every decision you’ve ever made about alcohol, and grace for every new decision you’re ready to make now.
• If you’re not the parent or family member who regularly enjoys alcohol, don’t go to the other extreme of condemning how others approach the subject. Instead, respectfully invite them to share their journey and what God is showing them about their use of alcohol.
• Be purposeful about drinking alcohol and decide which points in this article are growth areas for you.
• Be willing to seek help if you’re self-medicating with alcohol.
• Don’t expect to be able to make changes in your own strength. In fact, releasing control is how you gain power to overcome bad habits in this area.
• The world portrays Bible-reading as boring and irrelevant; but the Word of God is living, personal, helpful, and timely for exactly what you need to think and do every single day of your life to find peace and joy.
• Be prayerful and expectant, and let the Son of God empower any and every holy endeavor you pursue. The outcome will be worth it.

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful.” (1 Cor. 6:12)