I never imagined how big a deal these type of issues would be when I became a pastor of a church! The very same type of issues that the Bible says we are not to judge each other over… we judge each other over. The very same issues the Bible says we aren’t to engage in disputes over… we engage in disputes over. When the Bible tells us to do everything we can to keep our brother from stumbling, we just say it’s their fault for worrying about us.

Anyway, when it comes to these type of disputes, check out I Corinthians 8 – 10, and see Romans 14. Here’s my take on the whole teaching you find there:

The Bible says that drunkenness is a sin without a doubt. All you gotta do is read Romans 13:13, Galatians 5:21, I Peter 4:3, and I Corinthians 5:11 which very severely says:

But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.

The Bible does not however say just taking a drink is a sin. Tradition says so, but the Bible only lists drunkenness, while saying in places like I Tim 5:23, John 4:46 that taking a drink with alcohol in it, isn’t wrong. It’s the excess that is sin.

So drunkenness is a sin, and sin is serious, but taking a drink is not condemned. Cool. Ready for the “but?”

But, the Bible does deal with the issue of eating or drinking which may offend people, or otherwise dealing with issues where one person may believe something is wrong, and another believes it is not. Should we give in when someone is being judgmental? Are we being too judgmental? This answer will satisfy no one I’m afraid, but here’s what the Bible says:

1Co 8:9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.

Rom 14:13 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.

Rom 14:15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.

The Bible here was specifically addressing whether or not it was okay to eat meat which had been “offered” to idols and gods in Greek society. At the time, some people felt anyone who ate such meat was participating in worshiping those gods, and other people believed it was just food and no big deal. We use the same scriptures to talk about drinking (and other questions) because like those days, this is an issue that some people believe is wrong and some do not.

And the question with drinking isn’t if you have the right to drink or not. You do have the right. The question here is whether my actions cause someone else to stumble or does it “grieve” them? Are they offended? Does it weigh heavy on them? Even when something is technically okay according to the Bible, there may still be someone who believes it is wrong, and is deeply offended by you or me. Hey, most people used to believe playing with a deck of cards was wrong. The Bible says little to nothing about gambling, but how many people do you know who would think it’s okay for their preacher to blow 200 bucks at Vegas at the blackjack table?? So out of concern for the people we offend or grieve, the Bible says:

1Co 8:13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

1Co 9:20 While working with the Jews, I live like a Jew in order to win them; and even though I myself am not subject to the Law of Moses, I live as though I were when working with those who are, in order to win them.
1Co 9:21 In the same way, when working with Gentiles, I live like a Gentile, outside the Jewish Law, in order to win Gentiles. This does not mean that I don’t obey God’s law; I am really under Christ’s law.
1Co 9:22 Among the weak in faith I become weak like one of them, in order to win them. So I become all things to all people, that I may save some of them by whatever means are possible.
1Co 9:23 All this I do for the gospel’s sake, in order to share in its blessings.

1Co 10:23 “We are allowed to do anything,” so they say. That is true, but not everything is good. “We are allowed to do anything”—but not everything is helpful.
1Co 10:24 None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others.

As far as the Bible teaches then, we are to avoid anything that causes a “brother” to stumble, but instead, put each other’s concerns ahead of our own. Paul tried to do that with whoever he was with, although that doesn’t mean he lied about it. It just means he tried to live in such a way as to keep from offending people. Yeah, it IS true you can’t please everyone, but you can make sacrifices occasionally for the sake of someone else, -for the sake of a higher purpose. In this case: to keep arguments and issues from getting in the way of teaching others about Christ.

So Where Are We So Far?
1. Drunkenness is sin and sin is serious. Taking a drink was not condemned.
2. The real question is does my drinking cause my brother to stumble or be offended or grieved? If it does, don’t do it, no matter if it’s drinking or something else.
3. It mentions these are issues between a Christian and a “brother” and/or a Christian and an “unbeliever” so this includes everyone who is watching you, and anyone who might be offended or caused to stumble.

There are Christians who are certainly offended and grieved over others who drink. To them the Scriptures say:

Rom 14:4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

And there are Christians who are believe they are doing nothing wrong by taking a drink and they are offended by someone judging them. To these the Scripture says:

Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

Instead of passing judgment on the other, or dismissing and not caring that someone is grieved or offended by our actions, we are called to sacrifice for the OTHER PERSON’S SAKE. We always come second if we truly love our brothers. Listen to this very practical advice and the reason why:

1Co 10:27 1Co 10:27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you decide to go, eat what is set before you, without asking any questions because of your conscience.
1Co 10:28 But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat that food, for the sake of the one who told you and for conscience’ sake—
1Co 10:29 that is, not your own conscience, but the other person’s conscience.

Rom 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. …

Rom 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

So What Are We Left With?

As a leader in the church, a pastor, I don’t drink. It would offend some of my brothers and sisters; and even though it may be lawful for me to take a drink as others do, I refrain for the sake of others. I do this in many areas of my life. I have to don’t I? For Christ?

If you are a leader in the Church and your brothers and sisters look to you as an example, you and I are in the same boat. Or a very similar one. Even if you’re “just a Christian” you can still offend people, or cause them grief by your actions, -whether it be drinking or something else.

At church one Sunday, I was announcing that we were having a swimming party in the evening. (Some churches would be very offended by certain types of swim wear…) Anyway, I made the announcement that the church was providing the hamburgers, hot dogs, and buns, and everyone was supposed to bring their own “sides and drinks.”

When I said “drinks” that sounded a little bad to me, so I smiled and added “church appropriate drinks.” It got a few chuckles.

It also offended a new family who never came back. Just the comment. They began attending another church where they and others have mentioned how sinful we are over here.

Their judgment toward their brothers and sisters was wrong, and their gossip about others is flat-out sin, yet when possible, God also calls us to do everything we can not to offend or grieve our brothers and sisters. It’s not always possible, but we should try.

What we CAN’T do, is go against the Bible just so we can please everyone else. There IS only so far that we can go, but as much as possible, we should try to work toward building each other up and keeping peace in the Church. Yes, Jesus was condemned by the “religious” people of his day, too, so obviously it’s impossible to please everyone. Very simply, stick with the Bible, and try to watch the example you set.

If you don’t know already, some people have mistaken impressions of how “good” you are supposed to be. Or sometimes they are right! Sometimes, people have mistaken impressions of what is right and wrong, or sometimes we do! People may have mistaken impressions of how you should act and what you should watch on television, and yes, whether or not it’s okay for you to drink. Or any other thing! They are still growing, still learning, and sometimes they are unfairly critical and/or stubborn. Just like us. That includes you.

For some of us, our past sins still bother us greatly and it distresses us to see a “Christian leader” or even “just a Christian” partaking of something that ruined our life at one time. Often, they see the dangers and the evil much more vividly because they lived it. Others of us have always been raised to believe something is wrong, and it is tough to let go of the idea. Still more of us have been taught something is in the Bible when it is not. Still others don’t realize that something we are doing is something God said in the Bible is wrong.

In any case, the question you must ask yourself is “am I causing others to stumble? Is something I’m doing weighing heavy on my brother?” Quite often, when it comes to things like drinking, we are offending and grieving our brothers. Even an innocent sounding comment is enough to run people right out of our church! So yes, how can we say otherwise? It does offend and grieve.

They may not be Biblically correct, but they are still offended.

So we must ask ourselves: Are we willing to sacrifice when necessary for their sake, to “pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another?” Or will we hold on to our rights despite what someone else might think? Christ-like love puts others first. We have to try don’t we?

At the same time, however, when issues like this become the cause of disputes and become our FOCUS, the doors of the church begin to close to anyone who doesn’t “fit,” to anyone who breaks a rule, and the kingdom of God starts to be about outward behavior instead of surrendering to a relationship with Jesus Christ.

You see, the relationship changes the behavior. Behavior doesn’t make a relationship. Think about that one.

For instance, right now if you are struggling with alcoholism, or don’t see anything wrong with it, or simply want to find out more about God, no one here expects or demands you to “clean yourself up” or quit anything before walking through the doors and hearing the message of Jesus Christ. However, at the same time, we want those who lead our church to show evidence of a changed life in Jesus Christ. Evidence of a surrendered life. If we are ruled by our passions and instead of ruled by Christ, how can we lead others in the Church? We love sinners. We ARE sinners. But we are also trying to follow Christ as best we can. Right? There should be changes in my life then, or I haven’t surrendered.

Anyway, even though we sometimes hate to admit it, the Bible says the message is about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. This new life you’ve heard about isn’t based on following rules about outward appearances, or just strict rules on certain types of behavior, it’s about righteousness, peace and joy. It’s about a relationship with the God who sent His only Son to die for you. God will work on you, in you, and in your life. That’s why we have no business condemning each other over “doubtful issues.” Let the other person grow in their own faith, too. Encourage one another maybe.

Hey, if you think I’m wrong let me know!