The Bible disapproves of alcohol abuse, drunkenness, gluttony, and uncontrolled lust but it makes no explicit reference to eating disorders, drug abuse, workaholism or other addictions that concern us today. We are pretty sure that this means all addictions as related to Life Coaching and Addiction Therapy. Doesn’t restraint call for us to create a balanced life that is saturated with self-discipline? The Holy Spirit dwells in the body of every Christian, and for this reason we must do whatever we can to keep our bodies free of toxins. This includes drugs, alcohol, excessive amounts of food, immoral s*xual behavior, and lustful thoughts. Every human body was made by God and the Christian body therefore belongs to Him. This is due to divine creation and because of divine redemption. Scriptural teaching and basic medical health knowledge should instill in us the desire to take care of our bodies so that we can glorify God with our bodies. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. ‘Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. ‘This is truly the way to worship him” (Romans 12:1).
Addiction is thoroughly explained with examples of drinking wine in the Bible. It appears that it is alright to drink as long as you do not become drunk. Many examples are given describing the occasions where the drinking of wine is appropriate. During the times of Abraham, wine and bread appeared to be a staple “…brought Abram some bread and wine. ‘Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing” (Genesis14:18-19). The Hebrew word for wine is yayin. This word is used over one hundred times in the Old Testament and implies fermented wine. What is baffling is how this same drink when used in excess makes you drunk albeit being appreciated. It is indicated that Noah even got drunk. “One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent” (Genesis 9:21). Lot also drank wine to drunkenness and was taken advantage of by his daughters. “Come, let’s get him drunk with wine, and then we will have s*x with him” (Genesis 19:32). Furthermore, God told his people to enjoy wine at yearly festivities in Deuteronomy 14:26. These scriptures make it clear that there is definitely a difference between use, abuse, and addiction.
On another occasion, shekar, which infers a stronger drink, was drank in the Old Testament. Interestingly, there was no evidence of hard liquor that we drink today in the Bible. Finally, scripture clearly states the intent for wine: “And wine that makes glad the heart of man (Psalm104:15). It would appear that drinking wine is a joyous thing as long as you follow biblical instruction. Everyone knows that alcohol is not a dietary need for people.
Biblically, we do not have to drink and today with all the alcohol abuse problems people tend not to drink by choice. Those who have problems with alcohol should just not drink! Interestingly, we as Christians are instructed not to drink in the presence of others if it will make them relapse. If this is to mean a recovering alcoholic, then we should not ever drink because we never know who is being influenced or affected by our behavior. In exploring this further, I realize that drinking wine is not good for any Christian in the presence of other believers because we are told not to indulge in front of our weaker brothers and sisters who might be in recovery. And since recovering alcoholics do not walk around with a sign around their neck nor do they usually make this a church concern, adhering to this scripture tells me it is wrong for a Christian to drink socially period. “So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.”(1 Corinthians 8:13). What do you think?
Posted By: Patricia Reynolds-Meade
Thursday, October 25th 2012 at 4:08PM
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