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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Alcoholism is just one of many addictions that can take control of someone's life. Because its effects are obvious, drunkenness can appear to be a worse sin than others. However, the Bible makes no...
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David Hutz
Supporter
The author needs to take another look at the facts of alcoholism... It is a disease by definition since it is chronic & progressive. (But not an excuse for getting "There")It's a choice until dependency takes over and then the conditions relief is through detoxing at or through a facility.... It is a sickness like other sins with dependencies, but in this case without it you can die just as the air we breath... Clean and sober 7 years tomorrow! Blessings, Dave
Thomas K M
Supporter
Any habit beyond limit is an addiction, whether it is smoking, whether it is gluttony, whether it is greedy about of money etc. Scripture does not necessarily forbid a Christian from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. In fact, some Scriptures discuss alcohol in positive terms. Ecclesiastes 9:7 instructs, “Drink your wine with a merry heart.” Psalm 104:14-15 states that God gives wine “that makes glad the heart of men.” Amos 9:14 discusses drinking wine from your own vineyard as a sign of God’s blessing. Isaiah 55:1 encourages, “Yes, come buy wine and milk…” What God commands Christians regarding alcohol is to avoid drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18). The Bible condemns drunkenness and its effects (Proverbs 23:29-35). Christians are also commanded to not allow their bodies to be “mastered” by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19). In my opinion, drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:12).
Glenn Harrell
Supporter
Perhaps the word "should" is best left off. How WILL the many and varied Christians view those who chose to abuse their bodies with alcohol? Alcoholism is not a disease. Rather it migrates and creates diseases as one goes deeper into its clutches. Nicotine is the same in effect. Neither smoking nor drinking is a disease, but they waste no time in generating associative illnesses. Both require an individual to put something into their mouth--inhale or swallow. We are told that certain individuals are inclined to addiction of substances just as certain people are genetically disposed to disease. The medical community has theory and suspect as to why some people become addicted upon exposure while others do not. "There's a GENE for that"? Addictions usually begin with curiosity. No person drinks alcohol for the taste of it. They endure it under peer pressure, pretense and social stigma until the "pleasurable" effects outweigh the horrible taste. At some point in the journey the taste not only becomes tolerable but highly favored and distinguishable by brand. What is the common denominator in all addictions? 1-Relief 2-Freedom from fear and pain 3-Courage and confidence At some point in life, we all discover that magic pill, bottle, picture or possession that can give us temporary relief from our troubles and fears. Addiction is when these substitutes take over our lives and become destructive. Most often, alcoholics develop accompanying addictions like smoking and drugs. It can become very complicated. Over time, most drug addictions, without intervention, become life threatening and ruin the addict's lives as well creating upheaval in those who are related. God does not condemn disease. Neither does he judge it. However, God tells us in his word of consequence to what he calls sin. If our actions, both good and bad, can be explained, condoned and justified by genetics alone, then God will be a hard sell. How unfair for God to allow pain and suffering--then not give us any relief or escape. This is how the world views the God of scripture. Here is a verse we can all relate to as believers: "We are ruined by our own stupidity, though we blame the Lord." (Proverbs 19:3) Christians and alcoholics: We view those who are captivated by the effects of alcohol for its benefits just as we view the slaves of all other addictions. ---We call it what God calls it: SIN ---We confess it as such:SIN (I John 1:9) ---We refuse to excuse it to some other polite name ---We acknowledge it as Idolatry-- this substance which we substitute for God in our lives. ---We refuse to blame God for our own stupidity (Ephesians 5:17-20) ---We accept responsibility for our actions ---We are certain that receiving Jesus Christ into one's life is crucial to any lasting recovery and well being. ---We are wrong to expect God or anyone else to undo in one week these behaviors we supported in a lifetime. Recovery will be both decision and journey. ---We refuse to stay away from the Church--God's people. ---We know that not all God's children understand and some may even judge. So be it. The majority will be loving and caring. ---We worship God daily in prayer and reading His Word. ---We remove from our lives those "friends" and other triggers ---We visit our Physician regularly ---We seek professional counseling and therapy ---We join in AA and other group therapy opportunities for accountability and support. ---We seek the prayer and support of our Pastoral staff ---We encourage our spouse and other family members to have a ZERO tolerance for ANY FORM OF ABUSE. PERIOD! VIEW ALCOHOLICS THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS Show his love to them. If you are free from this addiction, then become touched by Gods grace to you. Acknowledge that you need to study and become acquainted with their struggle. "If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest."---Jesus (Matthew 11:28)
Michelle Savage
Supporter
"Alcoholics." I am missing something here. As Christians we shouldn't look down toward anyone. For we are as sinners, and all fall short of Gods grace.
Mark Henning
Supporter
Alcoholism is a disease and with help from the medical profession they can ween the person away from it. God asked us to not be drunkards and that we should not be fulfillers of strong drink. We are not to judge people but to love them as Jesus loves us and showed His love for us. To be forgiven is to forgive, we cannot be forgiven for our sins if we cannot forgive those whom have sinned against us. We are not to be judgmental toward anyone for if we do, we also will be judged 10 fold and more. How to deal with alcoholics is to love them with all Jesus gave you in your heart.
Maurice Harris
Supporter
Corinthians 6;9,10: Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sodomites, nor thrives, nor covetous, NOR DRUNKARDS, nor extortioners, nor revilers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Larry Truelove
Supporter
I do not believe all sins of the heart are "just as bad as alcoholism" in the eyes of God. It is true that drunkeness could or could have taken hold of any one of us. We should warn and set boundaries from one who continues in drunkeness and urge them to get help.
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