Hello, my friends,

As Christians, we are called to live in a way that honours the Lord and does not cause others to stumble or misrepresent the gospel. We live in a culture where alcohol is everywhere, believers must carefully consider how their choices affect their testimony.

I was walking with my son one day in Helensburgh when I noticed it was bin day for glass collection. Seeing the empty bottles in the recycling bins got me thinking about my own past with alcoholism.

It is sad to imagine the bin men collecting your empty booze bottles, and it is not a good witness if you are a Christian, whether drinking openly or in secret. What if the postman knows you are a Christian from the ministry mail he delivers, and if you’re out, he leaves that parcel in your bins, but then sees your blue bin full of empty beer cans and booze boxes? That does not line up with the life we are called to live.

The Bible does not present alcohol itself as inherently evil as wine was part of everyday life in biblical times, and Scripture sometimes speaks of it positively as a gift that can gladden the heart (Psalm 104:15).

At the wedding in Cana, the Lord Jesus turned water into wine as the first of His signs, revealing His glory (John 2:1-11). Paul even advised Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach’s sake and frequent infirmities (1 Timothy 5:23, NKJV).

You know the overwhelming testimony of Scripture is one of caution and warning. Drunkenness is repeatedly condemned as sin that robs us of self-control and grieves the Holy Spirit. “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

Proverbs gives sobering pictures: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever is deceived by it is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). Chapter 23 warns against even gazing at wine when it sparkles and goes down smoothly, because “at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper” (Proverbs 23:31-32).

For those who have battled alcoholism or come from broken backgrounds, the danger is even clearer. What may be “moderate” for one person can become a snare for another.

The principle of love for the weaker brother must guide us: “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak” (Romans 14:21).

We are free in Christ, but not everything is profitable (1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23). Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we must not be mastered by anything (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

The Witness of Our Lives

When neighbours or delivery workers associate us with Christian mail but also with visible evidence of heavy drinking, it can blur the line between light and darkness.

A life marked by the fruit of the Spirit ~ love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), speaks far louder than words.

For those of us who have been delivered from addiction, have choosing abstinence is not legalism; it is grateful obedience and protective wisdom for ourselves and others.

The Lord’s Supper

This same concern applies to the Table of the Lord. While the early church used the common “fruit of the vine,” many congregations today offer unfermented grape juice alongside or instead of wine.

This is an act of love and consideration for recovering alcoholics and those with tender consciences.

The heart of communion is not the alcohol content but remembering Christ’s blood shed for us and proclaiming His death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Using juice removes an unnecessary stumbling block while preserving the rich symbolism.

A Call to Sobriety and Joy

You know brothers and sisters, true joy does not come from the bottle but from being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Our culture pushes drinking as harmless fun, but believers are called to a higher standard ~ clear-minded, self-controlled, and ready to give an answer for the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15; 4:7; 5:8).

Whether we choose total abstinence or careful moderation, every decision must be made to the glory of God and for the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:31).

If you have struggled with alcohol, know that the Lord is able to deliver and keep you.

Many believers have found great freedom and clearer witness by leaving it behind entirely. Through ministries like Faithful Steps to Freedom at bornagainchristians.org, we seek to help others find the same victory and walk in sobriety by God’s grace.

Let us walk worthy of our calling, shining as lights in a dark world, so that others may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Let me Pray

Heavenly Father, thank You for delivering us from the power of sin and for the freedom we have in Christ.

Help us to live soberly and righteously in this present world.

Give us wisdom to make choices that honour You and protect our brothers and sisters.

Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit so that our lives would be a clear witness to the joy and peace found only in Jesus.

In the mighty name of our Lord and Saviour, Amen.

God Bless,

Peter