Ephesians 5:15-20: Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This week I want to focus on the phrase Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Some Christians debate whether it is permissible for a Christian to drink alcoholic beverages. I believe that the testimony of the Scripture is clear that the Word of God does not forbid the use of alcoholic beverages. I believe that Christians are free to choose to drink alcoholic beverages. Christians are also free to choose not to drink alcoholic beverages.
The Word of God contains a few instances where God specifically instructed some not to partake of alcoholic beverages. The angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah in the temple to announce the coming birth of John the Baptist to this elderly couple, who had no children. The angel said, "He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth." (Luke 1:14-15)
In the Old Testament God commanded Aaron, the high priest, that he and his sons were not to drink wine or fermented drink when they ministered in the tent of meeting. God instructed Aaron that they had to distinguish between the holy and the common. Also, there was a group in the Old Testament that was called the Nazirites. (See Numbers 6) The children of Israel could choose to consecrate themselves more fully to the Lord by joining this group. God placed several requirements upon the Nazirites, and one of them was the commandment to refrain from wine and fermented drink. God chose to set apart Samson as a Nazirite before his birth. An angel of the Lord appeared to Samson's mother before his conception and commanded her not to drink wine or fermented drink during her pregnancy.
In the book of Proverbs leadership is encouraged to refrain from alcoholic beverages. It is not for kings, O Lemuel-not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. (Proverbs 31:4-5)
This passage in Proverbs points out a key factor about the consumption of alchohol beverages. Too much alcohol will impair the judgment of a person. Wisdom dictates that the judgement of rulers not be impaired by alcohol because these rulers will begin to judge in an unrighteous manner.
John the Baptist and many others did not drink alcoholic beverages, but many others did so including Jesus himself. Remember his first miracle was to make wine at the wedding feast. Look at the words of Jesus in Luke 7:33-34. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, "He has a demon." The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, "Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'"
God placed special restrictions on John the Baptist. He did not place those same restrictions on Jesus. Some would find the following statement sacrilegious, but I think Jesus enjoyed a good party. Jesus Christ came to this earth to redeem us from the power of sin, but Jesus also set an example that life should be enjoyed.
In Philippians 2:12 Paul instructed the church, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Every believer must decide whether he or she wants to drink alcoholic beverages. It is a matter of conscience. But, from the Word of God there is freedom to drink, or not to drink.
However, the testimony of the Scripture is equally clear that Christians are not free to become drunk. Paul is explicit in Ephesians 5:18 that the believer should be filled with the Holy Spirit, and not drunk on wine.
I already mentioned that too much alcohol will impair the judgement of a person. Paul says here that drunkenness will lead to debauchery, which dictionary.com defines as "extreme indulgence in sensual pleasures." Too much alcohol leads to immoral behavior that would not have happened, if that person had exercised more self control.
In Galatians Paul lumps drunkenness in a long list of sins which are a result of the sinful nature. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. (Galatians 5:19-21a) If you are a believer who thinks it is permissible to occasionally or regularly have a little too much drink, meditate on the passage above. That list contains the "spiritual cousins" so to speak of drunkenness. Drunkenness helps open the door for the cousins to come into the house.
Several years ago I read what a young woman in college had to say about alcohol on the college campus. She said somthing to this effect: "Just imagine how much less sex there would be on the college campus, if there was no alcohol." Her statement is right on target.
If you choose, enjoy your glass of wine. Enjoy your beer. Enjoy your mixed drink. You are free in the Lord. But, always be diligent to never cross the line into drunkenness. Drunkenness opens the door to sexual immorality. Drunkenness opens the door to abusive relationships. Drunkenness opens the door to financial irresponsibility.
Don't be drunk on wine....but be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org