(Isaiah 5:11....one of many)
Before I even start, I know Jesus drank wine.
In that culture at that time, there was no bottled water, or even tap water. Wine was used in that day much like we use water today. Jewish scholars have
reported that the day-in day-out wine drank in the days of Jesus had a very
small alcoholic content. I am also not going to try and lay a guilt trip on
anyone who has a glass of champagne on New Year's, or a glass of wine with
dinner, or a beer every now and then. I have never been one to condemn
people for the decisions they make, just try to point them to scripture and
let the Holy Spirit deal with them. As I say so often, you cannot force
someone to do something. It takes God moving on a person's heart to make
change. On top of all of the scriptures in the bible that support
abstinence from alcohol, I often use 1 Corinthians 6:19. In context, this verse is
dealing with our bodies in sexual matters, but it is also appropriate for
use in the area of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
Rather than preach to you on the issue of alcohol, let me refer simply to
that one verse and ask you if you feel it is right to pollute the temple of
the Holy Spirit with something as harmful as alcohol that alters your state
of mind. I am going to let you pray on that question and work it out with
the Lord. For Christians, alcohol also becomes a stumbling block for those
nonbelievers in your life. Not only is it harmful to your temple, but is
also a bad witness to those you are in contact with. Never forget, your
strongest testimony is how you live your life before others. Respecting the
intelligence of those who receive this devotional every day, I am not
feeling led to say anything more about this issue. The supporting scriptures for
abstinence are very clear. The reasons to abstain from alcohol are equally
clear. Like everything, it is up to you and the Lord to work it out in your
own life. I will tell you, like any bondage, if this happens to be yours,
God is able to deliver you...whenever you are serious about quitting and ready
to let Him. I will be in prayer today for you or anyone you know who is
struggling with this issue.
I love you, pray for you every day, and am always here to help if I can. I
pray you will be richly blessed this day as we serve God with each breath He
blesses us with. Have a blessed and Jesus-filled New Year's.
