SHOULD
A CHRISTIAN USE ALCOHOL OR DRUGS OR SHOULD HE PRACTICE TOTAL ABSTINENCE FROM
ALL LIQUOR OR STRONG DRINK, AND BE AGAINST THE USE OF TOBACCO IN ANY FORM, OR
USE OF DRUGS LIKE MORPHINE, OPIUM, OR MARIJUANA TO NAME A FEW?
As
I grew up as a young man I never saw a commercial on television, or a magazine advertisement
that showed the consequences of drinking beer or hard liquor, or smoking cigarettes.
The advertisements in both venues were of nice-looking men and women enjoying
life and practicing one of these vices (smoking or drinking). As one preacher
said, “Satan will never show you the cemetery ‘that house’ is built on, or the
septic tank below it!” The countless families that have been ravaged by alcoholism
and drugs, only God can count! Satan never tells folks what will happen to
their lungs, bodies, livers, brains, and the disease these sins breed. The many
deaths of drinking and driving, the marriages wrecked through alcohol and drug
use, the terrible deaths of smokers who die of cancers in their lungs or COPD
that occurs from prolonged use. I have personally seen family members die of
cancer as a result of smoking, and knew an alcoholic who was so addicted he
drank mouthwash to stay drunk at work because he was so addicted to drink. He
died at the age of 51 and according to the nurses his liver gave out and he
bled from every pour in his body. The nurses told the family, “it was the worst
thing they had ever seen in the emergency room.” The devil will not show these scenes
to you if at all possible, until it is too late!
(1) Total Abstinence from All Liquor or Strong
Drinks... .The Bible expressly forbids the use of intoxicating beverages. Even
slight indulgence is not in keeping with the Scriptural standard of holiness
(Read Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-32; Isaiah 28:7; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10; and
Galatians 5:21). To be sound the Law forbids the priests from drinking while
doing their service in the tabernacle and in the temple. In Leviticus 10:8-10 is says, "And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying, (9) Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: (10) And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; Moreover, the Bible
teaches us that in the New Testament we are priests unto God (Rev 1:5-6), and
that we are also the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16-17).
(2)
Against the Use of Tobacco in Any Form, or Drugs like Morphine, Opium, Marijuana,
etc...The use of tobacco and the habitual use of narcotics are sinful practices
that defile the body, the temple of the Holy Ghost, and is an outward evidence
of an impure heart. (See Isaiah 55:2: 1 Corinthians 10:31, 32: 2 Corinthians
7:1; Ephesians 5:3-8; and James 1:21). Smoking is unclean and ravages the cells
in the lungs, moreover nicotine is considered one of the most addictive
substances (even more than heroin) known to mankind.
There
is no place in the life of a born-again, sanctified, Holy Ghost-filled
Christian for anything unclean, or that is injurious to the body, which is “the
temple of God” (1 Cor. 3:16, 17)- “The temple of the Holy Ghost” (1 Cor. 6:19).
In fact, there is no place in the newly born-again child of God for these
things, since the moment he is “in Christ” he becomes “a new creature.” “Old
things”—habits, practices, lusts, desires—belong to the “old man,” the unsanctified
man. The desire to sin passes away when we are “in Christ” (See 2 Corinthians
5:17).
The
“old things” may need to be called to attention, but when this is done, the
“new creature” will joyfully respond to the enlightenment or the grace of
sanctification. If Satan tempts, as he often does, a genuine experience of
biblical sanctification will instantaneously lay the matter to rest. In fact,
the truly justified heart should lose its desire for sin, the sanctifying blood
will assuredly crucify any lingering temptation and give the power over it.
With the “old man” dead, there need be no answer from the heart of the “new
man” to the enticements of the devil (See Roman 6:6, 7; Ephesians 4:22-24; and
Colossians 3:9, 10).
In
the face of the infallible truth of Scripture, the profession of the new birth
and sanctification that does not bear the evidences is a deception. When the
works of grace are genuine, they will bear the fruit. If not, there has been
something wrong, either with the presentation of the truth, or in the hearer’s
understanding of it. When biblical evidences are absent, the misled soul should
be enlightened and encouraged to seek God for the inward work that satisfies.
True “brotherly love” will not allow one to continue on in a fruitless
profession. The verse in Romans below is the way it should be, and it will be
when the works of grace have been done in the heart and a complete surrender of
man’s will to God has been accomplished by the child of God.
“But now being made free from sin, and become
servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting
life” (Rom. 6:22).
Pro. 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is
deceived thereby is not wise.
Isa 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong
drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong
drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong
drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
8. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
1 Cor. 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the
kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal
5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I
tell you before, as I have also told you in
time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts
be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come
upon you unawares.
Prov. 23:29-35
29. Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who
hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30. They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek
mixed wine.
31. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it
giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
32. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like
an adder.
33. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart
shall utter perverse things.
34. 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.
35. 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.
Isa. 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no
unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that
bear the vessels of the LORD.
I.
CONCERNING LIQUOR OR STRONG DRINKS
(Prov.
20:1; Isa. 28:7,8; 1 Cor 6:9, 10; Gal. 5:19,21; Luke 21:34; Prov. 23:29-35; Isa.
52:11)
A.
Danger to Soul and Body: Wine as a “mocker” signals danger! One definition of
“mock” is: “To lead on and disappoint; deceive.” A mocker is a scorner or one
who disdainfully brings disgrace. Wine is thus personified as a scorner and
deceiver. None like to be mocked or made fun of by others, yet the Bible uses
this to show how alcohol is a mocker. Of course, the soul’s welfare is of first
importance, but since we are not our own, but have been bought with a price—the
blood of Christ (1 Cor. 6:19, 20)—we are not free to abuse and defile the body,
the temple, which is no longer ours.
Isaiah’s
prophecy describes the disgusting and repulsive result of drunkenness.
Scientific research has proven that alcohol is “a killer.” The BIBLE has known
this from the beginning and has stood against its use. Scripture clearly warns
that drunkards “shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” They are not saved. The
“works of the flesh” have no place in His kingdom.
The
evils of alcoholism are far-reaching. They affect society as a whole. There are
the physical, moral, and psychological abuses, resulting in broken homes, families
going hungry and improperly clothed and sheltered. There is also destruction of
property from the near-insanity and loss of control by the user. Despite all
legislative efforts to curb drunken driving, crippling and deaths from highway
accidents continue to rise. Even murders are committed while otherwise civil
individuals are “under the influence.”
B.
Total Abstinence: It is argued that the Bible teaches temperance, or
moderation.” When the Scriptures are rightly divided, this is very true. However,
one does not sin temperately, or with moderation. The so-called “social drink”
too often ends in drunkenness and alcoholism. It is no more permissible to
“drink a little” than it would be to steal a little, curse a little, murder a
little, or worship other gods a little! If self-control is the answer, the
place to begin is in resisting the first temptation. No individual can be
assured that the first drink will, not result in an uncontrollable thirst! The
Bible warns that alcohol is like a cobra or adder, very dangerous venomous
snakes. To the vast majority who encounter these types of reptiles, most would
stay clear due to the danger they pose to a victim if they were bitten. People
who play with these types of snakes are playing with death (Prov. 23:32).
Temperance
might well be limited to things allowable, but which can produce harmful
effects by over-indulgence. For example, Solomon said, “Hast thou found honey?
eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit
it” (Prov. 25:16). Honey is a food. Alcohol is (Webster): “A colorless,
volatile, pungent, liquid...[that] can be burnt as fuel; is used in industry
and medicine, and is the intoxicating ingredient in whiskey, gin, rum, and
other fermented and distilled liquors.” If it is to be “burnt as fuel,” let it
be done “in industry” rather than in the human body!
To
illustrate further on the evils of alcohol consider Noah after the flood when
he became drunken in his vineyard. He was made naked and as a result his son
sinned and caused Canaan to be cursed. Had Noah not taken the first sip, there
would have been no sins to occur, and curses to follow (Gen 9: 20-25). Moreover,
consider Lot who was made drunk by his two virgin daughters after the judgment
of Sodom and Gomorrah. We are shown a drunken man who engaged in two horrific
acts of incest with his children because of alcohol and his decedents became
the enemies of Israel (Gen 19:30-38).
2
Cor 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in
the fear of God.
1
Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1
Cor. 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for
the temple of God is holy, which temple ye
are.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal
5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I
tell you before, as I have also told you in
time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Eph. 5:5 For
this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is
an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of
naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to
save your soul.
Isa. 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not
bread? and your labour for that
which satisfieth not? hearken
diligently unto me, and eat ye that
which is good, and let your soul
delight itself in fatness.
II. CONCERNING TOBACCO AND
DRUGS
(2
Cor. 7:1; 1 Cor. 3:16, 17; Gal.5:19, 21; Eph. 5:5; James 1:21; Isa. 55:2).
A.
Filthiness: Once again, the body is to be respected as the purchased temple of
God through the Holy Ghost. As the new believer walks in the light of God’s
Holy Word, he must dispense with any “filthiness of the flesh and spirit” as he
discovers it, thereby “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Bodily
filthiness defiles the temple, which belongs to God, and if that uncleanness is
not put away, that one will be destroyed, or lost. The unclean cannot inherit
the kingdom of God.
Tobacco
is unclean, or filthy, as is clearly evident even outwardly, despite any effort
which might be put forth to conceal the fact. The teeth, lips, and fingers are
stained with poisonous nicotine, and the breath is offensive. Even the
atmosphere is polluted by the smoke, which has been proven to cause lung cancer
both in the user and those who breathe it. If the person chews tobacco or dips
snuff, he is in danger of cancer of the lips and mouth, and even of the
stomach. Again he creates an offensive atmosphere for those around him.
B.
Possible “Slow Suicide”: Of course, the element of uncleanness is secondary to
the health hazard aspect, as has already been cited above. Suicide is the act
of taking one’s own life prematurely. Any form of quick, deliberate suicide is,
of course, self-murder. But the time element is irrelevant. The use of
tobacco-or alcohol, for that matter-can shorten one’s life by ten or twenty
years through the persistent use and leads to a “slow suicide.” Besides cancer,
other health risks include lung or liver disease from tobacco-or alcohol, for
that matter-can shorten one’s life by ten or twenty years through the persistent
use and leads to a “slow suicide.” Besides cancer, other health risks include
heart problems and emphysema. But God’s grace, salvation and sanctification,
affords deliverance from these evil habits.
C.
Wastefulness: Isaiah’s question. ‘Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is
not bread?” may vary in importance with the financial status of the individual
or his family. But it takes on greater significance when the money is spent for
something harmful and destructive of life, as noted above. In any event, the
money can be “better spent,” whether for things needful in the home and family,
or for the advancement of the kingdom of God and the church. Of course, this
appears of no consequence to the sinner.
James
advises to “lay apart” the filthy habits, and to believe and receive the Word
of God for the saving of the soul. We understand, of course, that merely giving
up a habit is not salvation, but many times the one bound by a habit already
knows that he must dispense of it if he would live for God.
D.
Drug Abuse: The 21st Century scourge that has been revived from the
more ancient practice of sorcery, with respect to the hallucinatory effects
produced by various drugs. The user refers to these effects as “highs,” or
“getting high.” Reality fades and the user often commits evils or crimes that
he would not do without the effects of the drugs. This is tampering with one’s
mind and spirit, which is a sin that produces other sins. As we see the lawlessness of society in America and around the world toward the use of drugs and other sins occurring as a sign of the end of age and the destruction of civilization, Christians should not adjust their convictions to fit society. One joint of marijuana according to a former Surgeon General in the United States is equivalent to the same damage in the lungs as thirty cigarettes. Moreover, it is a gateway drug to introduce the unsuspecting user into use of harder drugs .
Of
course, the Christian has “a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7)- “the mind of Christ” (1
Cor. 2:16). However, in this evil time, when deception is more and more
“wearing religious garments,” it is not., unusual to hear of professing
Christians “experimenting with drugs.” (However, legitimate use of medication should
not be condemned. The use of morphine by the medical profession is a legitimate
use. The Scripture condemns illegal drug traffic and abuse of any kind, Illegal
“drug traffic” is now very much out of control. We must warn the innocent or
gullible lest they become unwittingly involved.)
If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
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