Sin and Temptation: Week 4, Day 1

Day 1: Your I.D., Please

Some of the funniest ads on T.V. are ads selling beer. In the commercials, the party isn’t a party until the beer shows up. But, of course, it’s not just any beer either; it has to be the “right” beer.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 10 million students ages 12 to 20 reported drinking alcohol in the past month, and 7.2 million of these were binge drinkers.

According to another federal survey, nearly 15 percent of eighth-graders, 35 percent of 10th-graders, and half of the 12th-graders had gotten drunk at least once in the past year.

The alcohol issue has been around for decades in the teen culture. Many Christians even say drinking in moderation is fine. But, do most of the students you know that drink do it in public or secret? Do they drink in front of their parents, their teachers, or other authority figures? Usually no. Why? Because they don’t want anyone to know except the people, they’re trying to impress.

Let’s think more deeply about the issue. Would drinking alcohol tend to help or hurt your witness for Christ? Is there greater risk in drinking or not drinking?

Read Ephesians 5:3-13

People can use the Bible to prove that drinking is wrong, and others can use the Bible to prove that drinking – in moderation – is alright. However, there is a greater principle: in 99 percent of the situations, alcohol is associated with the things in this passage that we are warned to stay away from.

Don’t get hung up on the issue and have arguments like “is it okay for Christians to drink?” Instead, no matter your age, take the higher road and ask, “Is this the best thing for me, my growth, and witness as a Christian. “Live as children of light!”

Time Out:

1. Look up and read Proverbs 23:29-35. Answer the following:

Who has needless bruises and bloodshot eyes in this passage?

Alcohol, in the end, bites like what?

And poisons like what?

After reading that passage of scripture, what do you think God’s take is on alcohol?

2. How have you seen alcohol negatively affect your friends, family, or other families you know?

3. One last verse you have got to see. Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a ____________ and beer is a __________________. Whoever is led astray by them is not _______________ .

In all my years of being alive, I have never met an intelligent drunk. Therefore, before you do something that could hurt not only your reputation but also the reputation of Christ, always ask yourself, is this the wise thing to do?