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). 

Looking for quality used Christian books and other types of books at prices lower than even Amazon. Check out our family's online used bookstore at resurrectedreads.com or visit our store at the Waterford Unique Antique Market at 209 North Milwaukee Street in Waterford, WI --  262.534.3500. 

 

When helping isn't...

“Enabling is a way of helping a person that feeds the dysfunction. Helping is being there in a way that does not support the dysfunction.”  Dr. Noelle Nelson

  

  Sometimes being kind, just isn’t…You may have heard the recent news story of some visitors at Yellowstone National Park. On May 9^th, these well-meaning visitors encountered a bison calf. According to witnesses, they thought the calf was “cold,” so they put it in the back of their SUV, and then drove it to a nearby park facility.

  According to the park service, regulations require visitors to maintain a distance of least 25 yards from all wildlife, including bison, elk and deer, and at least 100 yards from bears and wolves. The National Park Service stated, too, moving the calf was “a dangerous activity.” Adult animals are very protective of their young and act aggressively to defend them. They also noted interference can cause the mother bison to reject her offspring.

  When rangers tried to reunite the calf with its mother, it was ostracized by its herd. Later, because the calf was found wandering among visitors’ cars, making it a danger to itself and others, the park service decided to euthanize it after its own herd refused to accept it back. A statement posted on the park service website stated: “Approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival…The safety of these animals, as well as human safety, depends on everyone using good judgment.”

  As believers, it can be difficult for us to watch someone, particularly those we love, suffer…so we interfere. Yet, we forget God is sovereign. Suffering, trials, or pain are not accidental. A loving God is in control of the fire with His sovereign hand on the gauge controlling the temperature.  

  On May 29^th, it will be 46 years since the Lord took my Mom Home. One of her best friends, along with her husband, prayed about taking me into their home to rescue me from my prescription drug addicted father (they’d previously taken in many missionary kids over the years). But God did not give them peace to proceed. I am so thankful they didn’t. Yes, it would have made my life much easier but God would have not been able to prune, mold and shape me as He has, if my formative years had been less difficult.
  As the youngest of five children and with my father’s issues, my Mom was sheltering me and spoiling me. She was very well intentioned, yet, I believe if it had continued, I might have had great difficulty ever coming into a healthy adulthood. Yes, it has brought some burdens in my life which I’ve had to work through, including Who God really is and what my relationship with Him is. But, I would not trade my past for anything. I live in the reality of my Mom’s life verse, “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). My life verse from the book of Job echoes a similar truth, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15).

  Please do not conclude I have my life all together or think in any way that I do. I don’t. I struggle on this spiritual journey just like everyone else. My greatest obstacle is often trusting God. I sometimes wonder if I doubt more than I trust. Yet, I do not believe I would be as far along as I am in my walk with the Lord, if I had not first gone through some fiery trials.  

  Some years back Jane and I had a very serious discussion about the future of our children. If you know Jane, you probably know one of her greatest gifts is kindness. If Jane struggles with anything, it’s being too kind. As a result, I felt she was helping our three children too much. I asked her, “What if something happened to us? Would they be ready for life…for a healthy adulthood?” I firmly believe, after a godly inheritance, the best gifts we can give our children are roots and wings.

  But it’s very difficult for a parent to watch their child “suffer.” Yet, in suffering, character and maturity are developed. For example, a parent should never talk to their child’s employer. If they’re old enough to hold a job, they’re old enough to problem-solve for themselves. It’s best when children move into the teen years, to not intervene on their behalf with teachers or coaches. Sure, they’re going to be bruised and battered a bit, yet that’s how you grow and mature.

  Tragically, I know of parents who when their child gets in legal trouble, they bail them out, often over and over again. The same happens with finances. You may know an adult in their forties or fifties who’s still financially dependent on their parents. Wow! Talk about being kept an emotional and fiscal invalid. Obviously, each case is different. The normal pattern though is for those in adulthood to take on adult responsibilities. The transition to that begins in those interim years of adolescence.

  This lack of facing consequences and responsibility is a major source of the perpetual immaturity in our society. It’s morally wrong and foolish for our government to rescue those who refuse to take responsibility for themselves. Sadly, the Great Society has resulted in generational dependency and perpetual adolescence. Scripture commands tough love. Check it out for yourself. “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

  “Scott, are you saying we should let people go hungry?” No, the Bible says that, not me. Please understand there is also a world of difference between working poor and idle poor. We must always be gracious and generous to the disenfranchised, i.e. children, the disabled, widows, etc. Yet, we are being cruel when we enable people who could take care of themselves in the name of “kindness.” It’s unkind and we’re sentencing them to dependence and perpetual adolescence.

  One of my favorite quotes is from an old Southern Baptist evangelist, Vance Havner, “If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home.” He was right.

  Sadly, we have become a culture of emotional adolescents, screaming for our rights. We give others control over us when we fail to take personal responsibility for our own well-being. The clear biblical pattern is responsibility precedes rights. Oftentimes saying, “No” and not rescuing someone is the kindest act you can do for them and it’s supremely biblical. 

Looking for quality used Christian books and other types of books at prices lower than even Amazon. Check out our family's online used bookstore at resurrectedreads.com or visit our store at the Waterford Unique Antique Market at 209 North Milwaukee Street in Waterford, WI --  262.534.3500.