Articles
Alcohol & Christian Sobriety
In considering whether it is wise for Christians to engage in the temperate consumption of modern day alcoholic beverages, we must consider the bible’s teaching in regards to sobriety. Sober-mindedness, sobriety, and alertness carries with it the basic idea of being under the control of, regulated by, or ruled by the mind, intellect, and reason. It also means not being under the influence of an intoxicant that can rob a person of good sense, balance, judgment, and reason. This is a concept that is stressed throughout the entirety of the New Testament:
1 Cor 15:34 – “Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning.”
Eph 6:18 – “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”
1 Thes 5:6 – “So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”
1 Pet 1:13a – “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober.”
1 Pet 4:7 – “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”
1 Pet 5:8 – “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
One of the primary reasons that Christians should eliminate any and all substances from our lives that rob us of our judgment and reason is because of who we are at war with. Our war is against an enemy of incredible intelligence and immense fury and hatred towards us. As 1 Pet 5:8 says, Satan roams around looking for those whom he can devour. He is incredibly opportunistic (Luke 4:13), carefully evaluating the weaknesses of Christians to which he can exploit. What better time to tempt Christians then when we are imbibing a beverage that begins hindering our judgment and decision making the very moment we ingest it? If I am serious about standing “firm against the schemes of the devil” (Eph 6:11), why would I engage in the consumption of a beverage that robs me of that ability? Is that wise? 2 Tim 2:4 – “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”
Some believe they ought to be able to engage in the consumption of alcohol in the privacy of their home while they are away from the influence of the world. I will argue that there is no better time to be on guard against the devil than in this very moment. It is in the privacy of our home where no one is watching that we can be most tempted - by the television shows we watch, the web sites that we browse, how we treat our spouse and our children, etc. It is when we are behind closed doors that we must have our wits about us the most, not engaging in a beverage that robs us of our judgment. The privacy of our home is a vulnerable atmosphere in which Satan loves to exploit.
Alcohol is such a deceptive drug. This is why many people arrested for DUI did not realize they were over the limit. It is why the person sitting at the bar is talking so loudly without realizing they are doing so. No person who is under the influence of a judgment impairing substance like alcohol is the best judge of his own sober-mindedness. The path between “moderation” and “drunkenness” is just too slippery. We have a hard enough time fighting off the schemes of the devil when we are not drinking. Let us resolve not to make it any easier on the devil to deceive us by abstaining from the recreational and social pursuits of alcohol.
