Beech Tree News Network

Some have the idea that if a person is opposed to drinking alcohol, and is opposed to the sale of alcohol, then this person has “twisted religious beliefs.” I wonder why people would say such a thing? I ask this question because …

    1) Solomon taught us to stay away from alcohol. Proverbs 20:1 says plainly that, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” If we read these words carefully, we can see that wine and strong drink are bad news. If someone is “deceived” (Solomon’s word) into thinking that alcohol is not harmful, then this person is “not wise.” If you are not wise, then what are you? Is the quotation of Proverbs 20:1 a “twisted religious belief”?

    In Proverbs 23:29-35, Solomon wrote again, “Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.”

    In this short passage, we see again the dangers associated with wine and “mixed wine” (i.e., mixed with other drugs). Read this passage carefully, and take note whether there is anything positive connected with drinking alcohol. What does the inspired Scripture (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:20-21) say? If I accept the what Solomon says and say that drinking alcohol is dangerous from the beginning, is this expressing a “twisted religious belief”?

    2) Paul taught us to stay away from alcohol. In passages such as Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:19-21, I Corinthians 6:9-11, and Ephesians 5:18, drunkenness is condemned. Sometimes, folks will say, “God does not condemn drinking alcohol, He just condemns getting drunk.” Friend, how does one get drunk, except by drinking alcohol in the first place? When we read the New Testament books written by the apostle Paul and accept what is said concerning alcohol, is this accepting a “twisted religious belief”?

    3. Peter taught us to stay away from alcohol. Just as the apostle Paul did, so Peter writes to Christians and tells them that drinking alcohol is wrong. When we read I Peter 4:3, we read that alcohol consumption is placed in the same category as “lasciviousness (wantonness, lewdness), lusts” and “idolatry”! Again, drinking alcohol is not a harmless act. Is this a “twisted religious belief” or is this the conclusion based upon what the Scriptures say? How can it be a twisted belief if Scriptures are quoted and referenced in what we teach (not only on this subject, but on ANY subject)?

    If we want the best for our lives and for the lives of those in our community, then let us accept and follow what the Lord has said on all subjects. His way is best.

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167