Sewell Hall
For many years, controversies have been common among Christians regarding the use of alcoholic beverages. All who believe the Bible must agree that drunkenness is sin (see Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; etc.). But what about moderate use of alcohol?
Progress toward full agreement may best begin where we now agree. Since all agree that drunkenness is sin, let us explore another question: "Why is drunkenness sin?" Perhaps it is enough to say that God has forbidden it; yet there must be some reason for that fact. Can we not agree that drunkenness is a condition inconsistent with the sobriety enjoined upon all Christians? (See Romans 12:3; 1 Timothy 2:9; 3:11; Titus 2:2; 1 Peter 1:13; etc). Now, just how much alcohol is required to produce the undesirable characteristics? That is the question.
As the alcohol content of the blood increases, different parts of the brain are affected. A pamphlet published by the United Tennessee League lists the following consequences produced as the various parts of the brain are affected. Note that these are not in order.
| A |
| Loss of color perception |
| Distortion |
| Seeing double |
| Loss of distance perception |
| |
| B |
| Apathy |
| Depression of respiration |
| Failure of circulation |
| Subnormal temperature |
| Stupor |
| Shock |
| Death |
| |
| C |
| Dulled or distorted sensibilities |
| Unsteadiness of movement |
| Inability to write |
| Speech disturbance |
| Loss of technical skill |
| |
| D |
| Removal of inhibitions |
| Loss of self-control |
| Weakening of willpower |
| Feeling of wellbeing |
| False confidence |
| Impaired judgment |
| Loquaciousness |
| Dulling of attention |
| |
| E |
| Disturbance of equilibrium & coordination |
Which of these would most seriously threaten the character of a Christian? Would you say B? It does include death; drinking to this extreme would be suicide - destroying the life God has given us. This is the last stage of drunkenness, the effect of an alcoholic content in the blood of .25 to .50 percent. Some people do not consider a person really drunk until he reaches this point.
Of the others, which most seriously threatens the character of a Christian? What about D? Inhibitions, self-control, willpower, a proper estimate of one's true spiritual strength, judgment - all of these are extremely important in maintaining good character in the face of temptation. At what point are these affected by alcohol? The answer is extremely significant. The frontal lobe of the brain is that part of the brain that controls these functions and it is the first affected by alcohol. As little as .01 percent in the blood begins to impair these functions so important to godly living.
In other words, the very first effect of alcohol is to make one feel a little freer to do things he would not otherwise do and a little less able to say "No" to things he would normally refuse; to make it a little harder to stand for what is right or even to know what is right. Under the least influence, vulgarity seems a little less vulgar; obscenity a little less obscene, sin a little less sinful, and morality a little less urgent. The temper is harder to control, lust is more difficult to avoid and one feels he is a little more capable of resisting temptation than he really is. Yet, at this point, neither the State nor society would consider him drunk. Of course, the more one drinks, the more pronounced these tendencies become. But can the Christian afford even the least weakening of his moral armor in these days of such powerful and common temptations?
The State does not consider one drunk until he reaches the next set of conditions, those described in C. Their concern is with physical and mental ability to drive a vehicle safely. By that time, the ability to make moral decisions has already been affected and it is with this that the Christian is most concerned.
There are other good reasons for avoiding alcohol: one who does not drink will save a bundle of money through a lifetime; his health will be better; he will never become a "problem drinker"; he is much less likely to find himself getting into trouble in bad company.
Regardless, then, of what the Bible may say about alcohol per se, it is good to avoid it altogether. "Whoever is deceived thereby is not wise" (Proverbs 20:l).
~In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 11/10/96.