Expert: Kit Goins - 8/7/2005

Question
Dear friend,

I am contacting you because I have a concern that needs attention from an expert, such as yourself. I do not where else to go and ask for help. I will try to make this as short as I can. My best female friend (former girlfriend) is the one that introduced me Christianity, and I am thankful to her for that. She does not drink nor smoke, however she thinks it is ok to be with other people who are in the act of drinking. From my understanding just because a particular action does not hurt us (not drinking), it does not mean we are not sinning. (See attachment below from www.ChristianAnswers.net) I am totally and completely against drinking, and I think that alcohol is a liquid version of the devil. Alcohol is how the devil accesses us and works out evil thru us. I am a refugee from Bosnia and I have seen how alcohol effects what people do and how they think. My question is whether a Christian is allowed to go out with friends and acquaintances and sit with them at a bar while they are consuming alcohol (even a single drink). I believe it is wrong, but my friend thinks that as long as she is not drinking she is fine. I see her actions as offering support to those who are drinking, just by being there with them while they are doing it. I think the right thing would be to walk away from situation like that to let your friends/acquaintances know that you do not support what they are doing. Another example would be if I were to attend a gay marriage. By doing this I would be offering support for a sinful action. What if I was standing with a group of merciless KKK killers? I am not part of the group, but if I am standing with them in a protest (not on the opposite side of the street) then I would be supporting them. What does the bible say about this? What scriptures say it is wrong to do this? I would like to set my friend on the right path, just like she set me, but I need help.
Thanks in Advance,
JG from Jacksonville, FL

If you do not know, don't have time help me, or do not wish to do so, please direct me as to where I can find the answer.




We must evaluate our actions not only in relation to God but also in relation to their effect on our family, our friends, and other people in general.
1. Even if a particular thing may not hurt us personally, if it harmfully influences or affects someone else, it is wrong. "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak... We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves" (Romans 14:21; 15:1).


Answer
Greetings in the name of Jesus, the Christ...

First of all, I wish to say this, and hope that you will understand...

If you have studied the word of God as extensively as I have,
perhaps you would know the answer to this already, and would not have to ask anyone. But I realise that the devil has kept alot of people too busy today, to even have the time neccessary, to STUDY God's word, and this is what is helping most so-called christians from knowing the whole truth and not just half of it, as alot of preachers and teachers today are doing, meaning well as they do it.

Now, to hopefully answer your question, I will attempt an explanation of the truth, and pray that the Holy Spirit
guide your heart correctly, in discerning for yourself what is correct and/or wrong...in this matter.

1.) NO where in the word of God (KJV; King James Version)
does it command us not to drink alcohol persay, except for the passage you quoted, but not fully understood its intentions and teachings. There are countless passages in God's word where it does say and teach that "DRUNKARDS" will not go to heaven still practicing (being drunk)...this can only mean one thing to me...that it is the sin of drunkeness, that is spoken of...most, if not, all the time.
NOT the act of drinking persay.  In other words, this is what is taught:  the reason the act of drunkeness itself is disliked and considered sin, and not the simple act of just drinking (which actually is two separate and distinct things altogether), is that, we are supposed to be a "light to the world"...in a world of darkness and sin. We are to glorify not only the name of God, but also His person and/or being, which is pure and holy. For example, say you or I started drinking and got drunk, wasted. etc... this would only tell the world that we are not being a light unto the world, and not glorifying God, thru Jesus, the Christ. We are only showing them that we are only a fool, instead; a drunken fool, cause does not a drunk act like a fool? And also  Jesus teaches us that we are to become LIKE Him, in purity and holiness, how can a fool, a drunken fool show the world who and what Jesus is, by becoming and acting like a fool?
He/She can not do this. This is what the word of god is teaching here about the act of drunkeness, or getting drunk, not just the act of drinking..afterall, a person CAN have two or three drinks and still act normal, it is only when they drink more, that they begin acting a fool.

NOW, as for the passage you quoted, this only teaches that
while being around other christians (say fellowshipping)or going to church meetings etc...that if you start drinking (knowing that you can handle it and NOT get drunk enough to act a fool, and know when to stop) that if for some reason a brother or sister in christ begins to follow your lead (not being able to handle it etc) and he begins to act a fool, then you are causing this person to stumble in his christian walk, and therefore should refrain from drinking for that period of time during the meeting or whatever.

and finally, if you would please study the word of God carefully, you will see that alot of times even Jesus himself drank wine, and partied, and remember also, that he turned water to wine many times...
Of course there has been alot of disagreements and discussions about whether or not this was truly alcoholic
(fermented) wine or was it just grape juice (new wine) as spoken of in the New Testament...many times.
But I have personally studied the word of God on this topic
alot, because I also wanted to know the truth on this as well. Because I like to drink a couple of beers now and then myself...however I do not get drunk and act like a fool, unfortunately because of my ability to always take life with a grain of salt...and laugh alot about a great many things in this world today...I am sometimes misunderstood and mistakenly though of as being a fool...or even crazy at times. But they just don't understand that I have the JOY of the LORD...I have no worries or concerns because of my strong faith in Jesus to provide all my needs, and He has never failed to do so. Remember that they used to call Jesus crazy also...so i'm in good company, wouldn't you say?

I hope and pray this has helped in some way...
In His service, and Love
bro. Kit