Drink & Drunk: More than a Grammatical Difference

“I’m tired of hearing sin called sickness and alcoholism a disease. It’s the only disease I know of that we’re spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year to spread.”   Vance Havner

  This may get me voted off the island or at least get my official Boy from the South card pulled. Often, when Northerners (also referred to as Yankees), visit the South, they return raving about the friendliness of Southerners. There is some authentic friendliness, yet much of it today is merely cultural. One lie Southerners will say to visitors is, “y’all come see us some time.” Mark it down, it usually means nothing. It’s just something polite to say. Sometimes, as you’re pulling out of their driveway, they’re even mumbling under their breath, “Let’s hope they never come back.”

  Every part of the country has cultural nuances. Until I came to Wisconsin, I thought a brat was the neighbor’s kid, pop was something a weasel did…and bubbler, well, I didn’t have a clue. Things from our culture become so much a part of our lives, we fail to evaluate them from a biblical worldview. As Christians, we’re to be a “Christian Counterculture” (to quote John Stott). Southern Christians need to evaluate their “politeness” to see if it’s sincere, lining up with Scripture. And in Wisconsin need to evaluate parts of our culture which we’ve accepted as normative yet potentially violates what God’s Word teaches or commands.

  You probably heard about a new list of the “Drunkest Cities in America.” It put a very bad spotlight on Wisconsin, home to 12 cities in the top 20, ranked by highest rates of binge drinking in adults. Heavy drinking refers to the number of alcoholic beverages consumed per week (15 or more for men and 8 or more for women). On average, 18% of adults drink unhealthy amounts of alcohol. Wisconsinites consistently imbibe on a grander scale, with more than 25% of adults reporting they binge or drink heavily throughout the week. Drinking is very much a part of Wisconsin culture. Yet, as Southern believers rarely question their own sincerity, Wisconsin believers often fail to evaluate their drinking habits in light of God’s Word and a biblical worldview…but we must. We are no longer just Wisconsinites, we have a new Father and are now “Heavenites.”

  First, let’s be clear: Scripture does not prohibit drinking. Jesus’ first miracle was making wine. The Bible does prohibit intoxication (Ephesians 5:18, Proverbs 23:29-35). And please do not rationalize drunkenness by comparing it to overeating. Here’s the difference: if you go to Texas Roadhouse and eat 5000 calories of saturated fat, you’re not going to be pulled over by the police because of your fat saturation level. You’re not likely to drive into a SUV, killing a whole family because of it. Even a binge smoker is less dangerous than a drunk driver. I’ve never been run off the road by a smoker; I have been though by a drunk. If you’re arrested for drunk driving, you’ll not only be embarrassed, you also hurt your testimony and the cause of Christ.

  Yet, because alcohol is so much a part of Wisconsin culture, one can be a problem drinker or even an alcoholic, and not know it. Please take a few moments and honestly answer these questions. If drinking is a concern, work through them with your spouse or a spiritually mature friend: Does alcohol interfere with your work? Do you sometimes lie about your drinking? Do you constantly use the phrase “I need a drink”? When you start drinking, do you find it hard to stop? Are you often coming up with new ways to control your drinking? Has addiction been a problem in your family history? Have family/friends confronted you about your drinking?  If you answered “Yes” to any or all of these questions, you need to seriously consider whether your alcohol consumption is a sin issue.

  We’re entering into the summer, the family reunion, backyard party and wedding season. Lots of booze will be available. We must remember we’re Christians first and must be a testimony for Christ, though we have the liberty to imbibe. Let me share some concerns a believer should consider.

  I must not be a stumbling block for a younger believer. The Bible is clear, it’s a sin to cause another Christian to stumble into addiction (Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8). We all have a responsibility for the rest of our spiritual family. If my “rights” are a tripping point for a young believer, I must limit my liberty. Now this is not a warning for believers who walk in grace to be stifled because they’re worried about legalistic Christians criticizing them. It’s a warning to make sure we never harm the work of Christ in another weaker believer’s life by abusing our freedom. 

  What am I modeling about biblically handling problems or stress? What am I saying about God’s grace and His work on my life, when after a hard day, I head to the bar for some “Margarita time”? Doesn’t that sound like self-medication rather than Christ dependency? Most believers who use alcohol to self-medicate are appalled at pot smokers who use pot to relax. But what’s the difference, if it’s pot or alcohol? The purpose is the same. Scripture says, “God’s grace is sufficient for me,” (2 Corinthians 12:9). When I depend on alcohol to help me handle stress, am I not questioning God’s promise to give me grace to handle life?

  Am I sending a message, I want to send? Isn’t Hugh Hefner sending an identity message, when nearly every picture of him has his arms draped about some young woman who’s scantily clad? On the opposite end of the equation, wasn’t Mother Teresa sending a message when picture after picture has her either holding a young child or surrounded by young children? So what message am I sending when picture after picture is of me holding a drink in my hand? Doesn’t it potentially say something about what I value? Is it a message I want to send? Is it a message that makes it easier for me to glorify Jesus and share my faith? I think we also should consider what we’re modeling for our children. Do I want to model that good times, social occasions, fun times with friends only take place when there is alcohol present? 

  It’s not wrong to drink. It’s not wrong to enjoy drinking. Martin Luther, the great Reformer was famous for brewing beer and said, “Beer is made by men, wine by God.” But the Bible is clear drunkenness is always wrong.

  As a believer, my life is no longer mine. I’ve been bought back from the slave market of sin. I have the privilege with what I say and do to bring honor to the One who loved me and died for me. By His grace, let’s do that even while enjoying the liberty we have in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:31). 

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