Paul Craft
Just say no to alcohol
By Paul Craft
This opinion article is for everyone to consider, but the targeted audience is believers in Jesus Christ.
I have been surprised by the number of people in my Baptist church family who do not hold to a zero tolerance belief of not drinking alcohol. The general belief within my church family is that casual drinking is ok. As a rule, Baptists have a zero tolerance belief that they should just say no to alcohol.
How many stories have been reported where young people and adults have been killed as a result of drinking alcohol? The argument among some is that happens only when someone goes beyond casual drinking. This argument is taking them down a slippery slope. What about those people who do not have the discipline to stop drinking? Did we become a stumbling block to someone that was influenced by are casual drinking?
The Bible at times speaks very harshly about becoming enslaved to drink or allowing it to control a person, especially to the point of drunkenness. Proverbs 20:1 — "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise." The mind of a believer should be filled and lead by the Holy Spirit. As with drugs, alcohol leads a mind that is helpless to their influence.
In closing, it is so important to remember that if we do partake in casual drinking we can become a stumbling block to someone else. The only option appears to this writer is that we should just say no to alcohol.
© Paul Craft
August 14, 2012
This opinion article is for everyone to consider, but the targeted audience is believers in Jesus Christ.
I have been surprised by the number of people in my Baptist church family who do not hold to a zero tolerance belief of not drinking alcohol. The general belief within my church family is that casual drinking is ok. As a rule, Baptists have a zero tolerance belief that they should just say no to alcohol.
How many stories have been reported where young people and adults have been killed as a result of drinking alcohol? The argument among some is that happens only when someone goes beyond casual drinking. This argument is taking them down a slippery slope. What about those people who do not have the discipline to stop drinking? Did we become a stumbling block to someone that was influenced by are casual drinking?
The Bible at times speaks very harshly about becoming enslaved to drink or allowing it to control a person, especially to the point of drunkenness. Proverbs 20:1 — "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise." The mind of a believer should be filled and lead by the Holy Spirit. As with drugs, alcohol leads a mind that is helpless to their influence.
In closing, it is so important to remember that if we do partake in casual drinking we can become a stumbling block to someone else. The only option appears to this writer is that we should just say no to alcohol.
© Paul Craft
The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)
