Alcohol

[xrageandlovex]

I don't really know where this is meant to go i'm fairly new to this, but i think it's alot to do with morals. I live in the east of england and i'm 15 years old. Lately everyone i know all they seem to do is drink and do drugs, even one of my friends who considers herself a more devoted christian than myself as she says. I tried speaking to them, and they tell me to find new friends but everyone else seems to be drinking too. They even snuck vodka into the church camping trip, and i don't want to be such an outcast to tell the youth leaders at the church club. But really i think they should know better, but seemingly i'm the only one who sees this, and they keep convincing me getting drunk and stoned is nothing bad as long as you can control this. Really i don't know what's best, get deeper involved with this, abandon my friends, although clearly this is a tough time, or just go along with it? Any advice? Thanks and sorry!

 

[stephen]

Kick it away dear, kick it away. You are too young....and I would think too beautiful to be expecting to find life a bottle??

To come on to this web-site and make a post, tells me God has a better future in store for you. Without doubt!

God Bless You.......and bring you through to a wonderful life........in Jesus

 

[vendradi]

Contrary to what your friends in the church youth group have to say about drinking and drugging, here is what the Word of God has to say on the subject:

1 Corinthians 6: 9-10
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5: 19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Based on what God says regarding drinking and drugging, I personally would not do it. Those behaviors stand in direct contrast to a heart that belongs to Christ.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I don't really know where this is meant to go i'm fairly new to this, but i think it's alot to do with morals. I live in the east of england and i'm 15 years old. Lately everyone i know all they seem to do is drink and do drugs, even one of my friends who considers herself a more devoted christian than myself as she says. I tried speaking to them, and they tell me to find new friends but everyone else seems to be drinking too. They even snuck vodka into the church camping trip, and i don't want to be such an outcast to tell the youth leaders at the church club. But really i think they should know better, but seemingly i'm the only one who sees this, and they keep convincing me getting drunk and stoned is nothing bad as long as you can control this. Really i don't know what's best, get deeper involved with this, abandon my friends, although clearly this is a tough time, or just go along with it? Any advice? Thanks and sorry!

One of the great men of British history (Edmund Burke) once said, "The onlt thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to stand by and do nothing." One cannot be a committed Christian and be popular in the world. The two are oil and water, they do not mix. Jesus prayed to the Father for his disciples: "I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world." (John 17:14).

God has put this matter on your heart because he is calling you to bring it to the attention of the leaders. That's it pure and simple.

As you do what God is telling you to do, I suggest A) that you find some new friends, friends that you can trust to not do drugs and alcohol. And B) that you feel free to cry out in this forum for help and encouragement as you go through the pain that awaits you in this situation.

Your brothers and sisters on TalkJesus will be here to help. You need only to ask.


SLE

 

[trucker]

These posts are excellent. The American culture and the European culture can run into conflict when it comes to alcohol, however, getting drunk, doing drugs are specifics dealt with in the bible. The bible forbids drunkenness and taking any form of narcotic to get a "high" is using it outside its intended purpose. It saddens me how people use Grace and tolerance to excuse their behavior and say it’s allowed by God and its ok. The fact is, God does love these people, and he does/has forgive them, but Rom 6:23 Tells us that the wages sin pays is death. It does not say the wages God pays, it says, the wages sin pays. If your friends continue in this vain, they will bring destruction into their lives. As a Christian, you are going to have to make some decisions that will make you unpopular. You can not change your friends, but you can chose who you hang around with. I corth 15: 33 states in the New King James Bible, Evil company corrupts good habits . In other words, who you hang with will eventually corrupt you. Proverbs 4: 14 states do not enter the path of the wicked and do not walk in the way of evil, avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on. As hard as this may be, if your so called friends have made a commitment to Christ, they should be showing some fruit of that commitment. I would pray for them, and even discuss your dislike for this behavior with them, but after talking with them and they do not want to change, you will need to stop affiliating your self with them and seek new friends. My daughter went through this from the age of 15-until 19 (she is now 24) She went to a Christian school yet many of her friends, slept around, took drugs, drank and did many immoral things. It grieved her heart, but she stopped associating with them. Out of the 10 girls she hung around, two followed biblical direction. The other eight are still wallowing in the poor choices they made at 15. My suggestion to you is do the hard thing, separate from these bad influences until you are firmly grounded in your relationship with God. It will be hard at times, lonely at times, but your character will be strengthened and you will develop a toughness that will carry you through to adulthood. Keep up the good work, and may Gods Grace (His ability working in you when your ability does not cut it) strengthen you as you grow in the things of God.

 

[sabre7]

That really isn't good.

It's definitely not something that 15 year olds should be doing, but then again I don't think it's something anyone should be doing. Nothing good comes from it. God's Word is the decider here.

I gave up alcohol yesterday. I was having a beer with dinner and reading this site thinking if I only have one for something to drink, whats the harm, but then I read the bible quotes on alcohol (I'm not nearly as familiar with the bible as I hope to become) and I think it's pretty clear what God expects from me, so there it is. Any sin is sin, no matter the quantity, and I have enough sin to remove from my life without tempting with alcohol too.

I'll pray for your friends. I hope they will find God!

 

[trucker]

I don't really know where this is meant to go i'm fairly new to this, but i think it's alot to do with morals. I live in the east of england and i'm 15 years old. Lately everyone i know all they seem to do is drink and do drugs, even one of my friends who considers herself a more devoted christian than myself as she says. I tried speaking to them, and they tell me to find new friends but everyone else seems to be drinking too. They even snuck vodka into the church camping trip, and i don't want to be such an outcast to tell the youth leaders at the church club. But really i think they should know better, but seemingly i'm the only one who sees this, and they keep convincing me getting drunk and stoned is nothing bad as long as you can control this. Really i don't know what's best, get deeper involved with this, abandon my friends, although clearly this is a tough time, or just go along with it? Any advice? Thanks and sorry!

Rage and Love:

Hey there. I'm new to this site, but wanted to give you some good advice I'm going to be soon logged in as HAPPYDAY333 , i'm currently using my dad's account right now.

Just from reading your post, it's clear to see that drinking bothers your conscience... so just stay away from it. When you get older you'll realize this more, but it's okay not to do what EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING. Why not be different? Why not for a change follow what you feel is right to do? You're not hurting anyone by NOT DRINKING, so you're being a positive influence on them. I can't of course tell you what to do, but offer advice and let you choose I was not raised with alcohol in my family. But I have seen some people's lives really messed up by alcohol and OF COURSE, DRUGS, just don't go down that road. I've never done that either, but you're messing up your mental realm for sure and destroying yourself. Follow your heart on the alcohol issue. I think people will respect you for following your convictions, and if NOT oh well! At least you're at peace ya know I know that this world is a different place and it seems what WASN"T the norm, is now the norm, so take heart in knowing that you're' not the only one facing peer pressure. But you don't have to follow the crowd if they're leading you in the wrong direction. You can be a good witness just by making good choices. Do you really want to do that stuff just to fit in? There's way more to life than drinking and smoking. I also don't know what the drinking laws are there, but if it's against the law to drink at 15, then there's your answer, it's WRONG to do it. It's great that you're able to ask these questions! Ask God to grace you with strength to overcome the peer pressure. Ask him to send you great friends and for you to be a good friend to people.

 

[Nigh]

Dear sister,

Please take the time to read all of Eph chapter 5.
Eph 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Eph 5:18-20 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mat 27:34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it This was a prophesy fulfilled, but I wonder if Jesus tasted the alcohol in the wine and then refused it? Just a thought.

Sister, it has all too often been shown to my wife and myself that being not of this world, and speaking the name of Jesus, means the world will reject you. This is not all bad though as heaven will accept you, and our time on earth is short, but our time with our Lord in heaven is for ever and ever!

God bless,
Nigh

 

[cjl1108]

rageandlove

I am 27 and it is easy for me to remember when I was 15. Let me tell you, you are so lucky that you see what they are doing as a problem. You are going to have a easy time learning and understanding this time in your life, while sadley your friends are going to have to learn the hard way. Do what you can to show them the light and try and save them from learing the hard way.

I too was in your shoes, I was never a fan of drinking or drugs, yet I would say that MOST of my friends were. Lets just say that it is safe to say, that it never helped any of them in the end.

 

[Chad]

Sister, you've been given the light from GOD to see these issues. Pray for these people you encounter. Also, the Scripture and godly advice given to you by others here is amazing! Listen to GOD. He's warning you and watching over you with love and grace.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (Amplified)

10In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

11Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

13Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

14Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

15And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

18Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).

 

[Girl]

Ah, this totally reminds me of my high school life.. Everyone would drink, take drugs... It was madness.. absolute madness.. ! My "so-called friends" at the time tried to get me to drink, on so many occasions and they just wouldnt take no for an answer! I remember a few occasions, where these "friends" would try and mix alcohol into my drink..and try and trick me into drinking it.. They just wouldnt respect the fact that i had morals, and wanted to stick to them..

My advice is....... that if they dont take no for an answer, and they keep pressuring you to do the things you dont feel comfortable doing, then diss them. Abandon them. That’s what i did.. Unfortunately for me tho.. i live in a very.. VERY.. small town, so i couldnt just find new friends to be around... so i spent high school being a bit-of-aloner.. = ( but hey.. It was much better that way…

anyway... back to you here.. Don't... just go along with what they do! Omigosh.. no, dont do that! I mean, you do this, right?.. then later you will be pressured to all kinds of other promiscuous things, and you wont be able to say no... So don’t let others control you..... because you care about what they think, or what you might be missing out on.

They have age limits for a reason you know.. At 15, kids are much to immature to be messing with alcohol.. and also because they are younger it will take a lesser amount to take an affect... so for a young kid to excessively drink, they could easily end up with alcohol poisoning.. which could also kill you.. And another big no, no…Drugs and alcohol dont mix.. together....That’s extremely dangerous!!... Geesh, just don’t touch the stuff.. until your more older.

 

[Word of Life]

I just shake my head when reading things like this, wondering whether the people out there are actually listening to the preacher or reading their Bibles. As the Bible clearly states we are not to get drunk or take drugs etc.

I do too enjoy my glass of wine, but I don't get drunk and its only when I am home, that I drink. As I too could get very easily led if I was with others that drink a lot, so I just stay away from those kind of people now. It’s not easy, I know, as everything these days is revolved around drink, parties, drugs and sex orgies. But if these are youngsters/people that go to church every week and are still doing this, it makes me wonder what the next generation of followers of Christ will be. We all need to set an examples.

I would suggest you talk to your friends very seriously. You can still enjoy life without getting totally drunk and legless.

If that doesn't work, I would do as the others in TJ have suggested and stay away from them.

Question: "What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol / wine?"
From Gotquestions

Answer: Several verses encourage people to stay away from alcohol (Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3; Deuteronomy 14:26; 29:6; Judges 13:4,7,14; 1 Samuel 1:15; Proverbs 20:1; 31:4,6; Isaiah 5:11,22; 24:9; 28:7; 29:9; 56:12; Micah 2:11; Luke 1:15). However, Scripture does not necessarily forbid a Christian from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Christians are commanded 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). Scripture also forbids a Christian from doing anything that might offend other Christians or might encourage them to sin against their conscience (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). In light of these principles, it would be extremely difficult for any Christian to say they are drinking alcohol to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Jesus changed water into wine. It even seems that Jesus likely drank wine on occasion (John 2:1-11; Matthew 26:29). In New Testament times, the water was not very clean. Without modern sanitation efforts, the water was filled with bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of contaminants. The same is true in most third-world countries today. As a result, people often drank wine (or grape juice) because it was far less likely to be contaminated. In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul was instructing Timothy to stop drinking the water (which was probably causing his stomach problems) and instead drink wine. The Greek word for wine in the Bible is the most basic everyday word for wine. In that day, wine was fermented, but not to the degree it is today. It is incorrect to say that it was grape juice, but it is also incorrect to say that it was the same thing as the wine we use today. Again, Scripture does not necessarily forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Alcohol is not, in and of itself, tainted by sin. It is, rather, drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:12). There are principles in the Bible, however, that make it extremely difficult to argue that a Christian drinking alcohol in any quantity is pleasing to God.

 

[jiggyfly]

xrageandlovex, everyone responded with very good advice. Alcohol is very dangerous. Some may argue that it is ok as long as it is used in moderation. My opinion is why take a chance? I have seen alcohol tear down and destroy many, many people's life, but have yet to witness even one that can say alcohol made their life better.

The responses on this thread are all good, but take this opertunity to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and do exactly as He directs you to do and then you will also grow spiritually in this circumstance. Let your friends make the decision as to whether they remain friends, you just keep following Jesus. Remember that it was not the sinner that crucified Christ it was the religious folk. If these so-called christian friends act out against you for doing what is right in God's eyes, know that you are in good company with Jesus and all His followers. I am praying that your faith remains strong and that your friends will be humbled to repentence by your actions. God Bless you as you grow in Christ.