Dearly Beloved,
My fervent desire is that you will grow spiritually: bearing godly fruit and bringing glory to the Father (John 15:8).
I wish to emphasise the spiritual impact of alcohol consumption, whether casual or habitual. Alcohol is a colourless, volatile liquid that is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beers and spirits. Alcohol is a drug which acts as an intoxicant and a depressant to give you a false and temporary feeling of pleasure and relaxation.
As used in the Bible, wine is generally defined as the fruit of the vine, i.e. grape juice (Matthew 26:29, AMPC). Non-alcoholic wine is unfermented grape juice. However, alcoholic wine refers to fermented grape juice which contains alcohol as a % volume. Whenever the Bible talks about wine, the context reveals whether it refers to alcohol or not. The consumption of alcoholic wine is usually associated with drunkenness (being under the influence). What level of alcoholic influence is OK for a true believer?
Food consumption is essential and beneficial to your body. However, alcohol consumption is not essential but rather harmful to your body (1 Corinthians 6:12-13).
Reasons why you should abstain from alcohol:
- Alcohol is false wine that influences you to do wrong, whereas the Holy Spirit is true wine that influences you to do right. (Galatians 5:17, Ephesians 5:18, 1 Peter 2:11)
- Alcohol reduces your alertness and self-control; it corrupts your sound mind (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, 2 Timothy 1:7)
- The Bible has not one good thing to say about alcohol consumption (Proverbs 20:1, 23:20-21, 23:29-35, 31:4-7)
- Alcohol consumption makes it easier for you to commit sin in words and actions (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
- Alcohol consumption is toxic and harmful to your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
- Alcohol consumption is addictive and destructive (1 Corinthians 6:12, Proverbs 23:20-21, 23:29-35, 31:4-7).
- Alcohol consumption will distract you from prayer and bible study (1 Peter 5:8).
- Alcohol consumption can diminish your spiritual, mental and physical health.
- Alcohol consumption reduces your spiritual thirst and limits your spiritual progress (1 Corinthians 10:7).
- Alcohol consumption can become a false god in your life, effectively hindering you from staying filled with, and walking in, the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18, 1 Corinthians 10:7).
Abstinence from alcohol will help to increase your personal consecration to the Lord and deepen your spirituality (2 Timothy 2:21, 1 Peter 2:11).
I exhort you to embrace abstinence from alcohol consumption. Instead, continuously drink of the Holy Spirit by praying, singing, and prophesying in tongues (Ephesians 5:18-19).
Love and Blessings,
Ben Awoseyila