Your Condition

"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray"- 1 Peter 4:7 (NIV).

I watched my father drink alcohol up until his final years. He loved scotch, whiskey and beer. As a teacher of ancient history, I can tell you there is evidence of alcohol consumption as far back as we can trace mankind. The wrong or right of drinking has long divided marriages, families, friends, and congregations. The most used argument in favor of drinking is Jesus' first miracle, turning water into wine; yet, drinking caused a lot of problems for Noah and Lot. Then there are the arguments over the differences between "old" wine and "new" wine, but the prophet Hosea says, "Old wine and new wine [both] take away their understanding" (4:11). The question should be taken off of the "right" and "wrong" of drinking and personally asking ourselves if our drinking glorifies the Lord, because, in all that we say and do, we either glorify God or we do not. Do we weaken or strengthen others in our drinking? Do we weaken or strengthen the temple God has given our spirit to reside in? Are we spiritually watching, paying attention, when we are drinking? Let your own conscience respond to those questions. Then ask yourself, if the answers are negative, do you have the ability to stop? If you're still getting a negative answer, pray and ask God for help. Jesus says, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). What condition do you want to be in when the Lord returns?