Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
August 20, 2023

Basic Facts about Alcohol
by Doy Moyer
Some basic facts about alcohol, as provided by the Centers for Disease Control:
Under the category of drinking “too much,” the CDC says that “excessive alcohol use led to approximately 88,000 deaths” each year in the United States from 2006-2010. Excessive drinking was responsible for 1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20-64 years, and “most people who drink excessively are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent.” They further list a number of risks associated with drinking. What intrigues me is that they list “some persons who should not drink any alcohol,” and among them include those who will be “participating in other activities requiring skill, coordination, and alertness.”
Then I immediately recall…
“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42).
“Therefore be on the alert…” (Acts 20:31).
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).
“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).
“So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6).
Should any of this factor into decisions about whether Christians ought to be drinking? Or, to put it another way, what is the wise and discerning choice to make?
Reasons I Don’t Drink
by Bryan Gibson
I don’t want to become an alcoholic (drunkard), because I know what happens to them—in this life (e.g., Noah in Genesis 9:20-24; and Lot in Genesis 19:30-38), and the next (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21). Completely abstain from alcohol—that’s the best way to make sure I never become one.
I love my wife and children, so I don’t want them to develop a drinking problem either. My drinking could put a stumbling block in front of them (and potentially others), and that’s enough right there to cause me to lose my soul (Matthew 18:6-7; Romans 14:13). Keep my family safe and provide the best spiritual environment possible—these are my duties as a husband and father, and drinking doesn’t seem to be compatible with either one. Again, it’s my conviction that the best course is to completely abstain.
Drinking problem or not, alcohol can still harm me mentally and physically. I know that from medical studies, from my observations of others, and from my study of the Scriptures (Leviticus 10:8-11; Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:4-5; Isaiah 28:7-8). Just thinking about the mental effects alone—doesn’t that explain the warnings about drinking and driving? And doesn’t it also explain why companies don’t want their employees to drink at all during working hours?
Speaking of drinking and driving, that’s something I would just as soon completely avoid. “Love does no harm to a neighbor” (Romans 13:10), so obviously I don’t want to put him in harm’s way on the highway. It scares me to think about killing someone because I was too impaired to think clearly or react properly. It would land me in jail, but the mental anguish might just be the worst part. But I don’t intend to let this happen, because I don’t intend to drink.
I worry, too, about alcohol’s effect on my ability to resist temptation. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). It doesn’t take much alcohol to lower my powers of resistance, and I don’t want to give the devil even the slightest advantage. I want all my defenses in place, so clearly the best course for my soul is to completely abstain. (See the previous article on the alertness required for all Christians).
And finally, I have to consider the way drinking could hurt my influence on others. Because I want to save as many people as possible, it’s very important that I preserve my influence for good (1 Corinthians 9:19-22). Could I drink and still be that same “salt of the earth” and “light of the world”? (Matthew 5:13-16; Philippians 2:14-16). For example, if you readers saw me drinking, or knew that I drank, would you take these articles as seriously? That’s what I thought.
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: ‘They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?’” (Proverbs 23:29-35).

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	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.