Avoiding Alcohol
For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine . . . . (Titus 1:7 NKJV)
Some subjects are just as controversial today as they were when the Bible was written, and we have one before us now. It's the age-old question about alcohol. Can a Christian have an occasional drink? I mean, there's nothing in the Bible that says we can't, right? It's true; there isn't a verse prohibiting alcohol. But the preceding prescription for a pastor says that he must not be given to wine. In other words, alcohol isn't on the mind of a minister because he understands that it costs more than it's worth.
What's the cost? Consider the following instructions in the book of Romans:
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. (Romans 14:12-13 NKJV)
Roughly twenty percent of all Americans are either addicted to or live with someone addicted to alcohol. Think that through when it comes to ordering an occasional drink. It means there's a one in five chance of either stumbling someone to continue an alcoholic addiction or reminding someone of a loved one's painful problem. At some point, all Christians (not just pastors) need to come to their senses and see that alcohol just isn't worth it.
As if this weren't reason enough, 1 Corinthians points out the hazard in exercising those freedoms that have the potential to enslave us:
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Corinthians 6:12 NKJV)
God knows we have the potential to become bound by alcohol. To spare us from this painful problem, He warns us against becoming enslaved by something that we're technically free to enjoy. It just isn't worth the possibility of being brought into bondage. May we take these warnings to heart and avoid alcohol for the sake of others and ourselves.
DIG - What costs are attached to alcohol?
DISCOVER - How has this devotion changed your perspective on alcohol?
DISPLAY - What changes do you need to make in your life as a result of the verses above?
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At the age of 24, Bob Coy left a coveted position in the music industry to serve as an associate pastor with Calvary Chapel of Las Vegas. In 1985, Bob and his wife, Diane, moved to Fort Lauderdale and began Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale. As senior pastor, he has become well known for his unique style in expounding the Scriptures, making them come alive and relate to those of us living in the 21st century. His teaching style emphasizes the believer's "life application" of the highest standards of God's truth while his delivery captures the loving heart of God's Spirit.
Pastor Bob has had the rare privilege of watching God's miraculous hand move in the individual lives of those in the fellowship as well as the corporate body as a whole. From the first meeting in a living room with four in attendance, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale has now become home to over 17,000 men and women from the tri-county area, and ranks as the eighth largest church in the country. Though many have tried to attribute its rapid growth to numerous reasons, no one is more surprised by the phenomenon than Pastor Bob, who gives total credit and all the glory to God alone.
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