When to Stop Drinking Alcohol: Deciding If a Few Drinks a Night is a Problem
There are plenty of reasons why people drink. It’s a social activity. They like the taste. It’s an easy way to unwind. It’s always been part of their routines. They deserve it after a long day. While most of us know when to stop and can regulate how much we drink, it is good sometimes to check in and ask if you are drinking for the right reasons. The Bible has plenty of instances of people getting drunk and doing dumb things. Noah passed out after getting out of the ark, disgracing himself in front of his sons (Genesis 9:20-23). Lot’s daughters got him so drunk he passed out and they had sex with him (Genesis 19:30-38). David attempted to get Uriah drunk in hopes he’d sleep with Bathsheba, but the man refused (2 Samuel 11:13). There are instances when alcohol is used in celebration. Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into the best wine at a wedding feast (John 2:1-11). The Israelites were encouraged to spend money on alcohol to bring as a tithe and to celebrate their offerings to the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). God’s prophets promise that when Israel returns home, God will bless them with wine aplenty (Amos 9:14, Joel 2:19, and 3:18). Jesus compares His body to wine, telling His disciples to use it as a symbol and reminder of the sacrifice He was preparing to make (see Matthew 26:17-30). In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul encourages people in the church to abstain from drinking if it would cause another person to stumble. He explains that it is out of love for others that we sometimes deny ourselves what we can handle if we know that those around us cannot. Alcohol in itself is not wrong. It is the abuse of it, or letting it master [...]