Drunkenness

I was reading something about drinking on your site. I know it's not wrong to drink, but where do you draw the line? I am 21, so it isn't illegal for me to drink, and I have been drunk before and haven't made any bad decisions. Is that still totally wrong? And, lastly, is it wrong to get a little buzzed off of alcohol?

I assume the article you read was the one which I have pasted in below. In answer to your questions, look especially at Ephesians 5:18: "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit...." The point is that we should not use drugs, or drink a sufficient amount of alcohol, to impair or influence our thinking and judgment. Rather, we should yield ourselves to and be under the influence of God's Spirit. The fact that one may not have made foolish choices or decisions while drunk does not make is OK to drink in excess or take drugs which alter our perception and thinking. Since the Bible does not say, I cannot tell you how much alcohol is OK to drink except to say that it is too much when it begins to impair and influence your thinking and actions.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say "a little buzzed off of alcohol"; but, if you are speaking of drinking to the point where it is influencing your thinking and impairing your actions, being "a little buzzed" is already too much.

It is true that drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). Rather than forfeit the salvation which God has provided for you in His Son, God would have you repent of excessive drinking and turn to Him for forgiveness and strength to live for Him. The Bible says: "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You" (Psalm 86:5). Jesus died for your sins and the sins of the whole world when He suffered and died upon the cross (1 John 1:7--2:2). Our God desires that you acknowledge your sin to Him, trust in Him to forgive you for Jesus' sake, and then live your life for Him (cf. Ezekiel 33:11; Isaiah 1:16-20; 2 Corinthians 5:15). I realize that this is not the "in thing" to do, but it is the only right thing to do.

I hope this answers your questions. I sense that your conscience has been troubling you some over your drinking to excess on occasion. The place to go with all this is to the Lord Jesus for His mercy, forgiveness, and help. I too will be praying for you.

If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.

Editor@thestillsmallvoice.com

IS IT WRONG TO DRINK ALCOHOL?

The Bible does not condemn the moderate use of alcohol, but it clearly condemns drunkenness. Jesus Himself drank wine and even turned water into wine at a wedding in Cana (Matthew 11:19; John 2). But the Bible clearly warns against becoming drunk or under the influence of wine or strong drink, saying that this is a work of the sinful nature, and that those who "do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21).

Also to be considered here is the fact that God commands us to obey the laws and commands of our government and rulers (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-15). It is against the laws of our land for young people under a certain age (usually 21) to drink, and it is also against our laws to drink and drive. God would have us obey these laws.

Finally, the Bible says, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesisans 5:18). We are not to become drunk or intoxicated by wine or any other drink or illegal drug; for then we may easily succumb to the temptations placed before us by the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh (cf. Proverbs 23:29ff.). Rather, those who trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and life eternal are to be filled (to be influenced and guided by) the Holy Spirit of God, that they might be kept in the saving faith and live for their God and Savior, Jesus Christ.