Mind Destroyers: Alcohol and Drugs

 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 9
The desire to experiment with alcohol and drugs is one of the biggest temptations facing young people today. Even Christian young people who want to live for the Lord have found themselves compromising their convictions and giving in to pressure from the world in this area. Two young people with whom I grew up, who came from good Christian homes, caved in to peer pressure in their teen years and began to experiment with alcohol and drugs. Their desire for excitement and acceptance by the crowd led them deeper and deeper into alcohol and drug abuse until their lives were eventually ruined.
Our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour; we are to resist him, standing firm in faith (see 1 Peter 5:8,9). As the time of the Lord’s coming draws nearer, we are seeing a marked increase of young people turning to alcohol and drugs. Some are trying to escape their problems, while others are doing it just for pleasure. However, we are urged not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:22And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)). This means it is important for us to see things from God’s perspective and not our own.
In Bible times alcohol was used for medical purposes and helped reduce a dying person’s pain (Proverbs 31:6,76Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. (Proverbs 31:6‑7)). In 1 Timothy 5:23 we see that God permits the use of wine where the water is bad and causes stomach disorders. However, the problem is that people can abuse this God-given mercy and overindulge to the point of drunkenness, and even become alcoholics. God solemnly warns believers against overindulgence (Romans 13:1313Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. (Romans 13:13)). He also tells us that no drunkard will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:10).
In Proverbs 20:11Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1) we read, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” When a person drinks too much it affects his ability to make proper decisions. Many young people have done things under the influence of alcohol that they have regretted the rest of their lives (Proverbs 31:4,5; 23:29-354It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. (Proverbs 31:4‑5)
29Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. (Proverbs 23:29‑35); Hosea 4:10-1210For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the Lord. 11Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart. 12My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God. (Hosea 4:10‑12)).
The only way a person can be sure that he will not become an alcoholic is by staying away from alcohol completely. This is also the best way to avoid stumbling someone else. If a weak Christian sees you take a drink, he may conclude that it is all right for him to drink as well. Yet, he may end up an alcoholic and you would be responsible because you stumbled him by your example. What you may allow in moderation, someone else might take up in excess. “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” Romans 14:2121It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. (Romans 14:21). To be responsible for leading another into drunkenness is as bad as being a drunkard yourself.
When Paul lists the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19,2019Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (Galatians 5:19‑20), he includes the word “witchcraft” (KJV) or “sorcery” (JND). In the original language of the New Testament, the word is “pharmakia,” meaning the use of drugs, potions, spells or enchantments. Drugs are used in the magical arts, which are a part of the world of demonism. Today mind-expanding drugs can actually cause the user to open his mind to demon influence and oppression.
Although I don’t believe the Bible teaches that Christians can become demon-possessed, it is possible for them to become demon- oppressed and even suicidal. The goal of a demon is always to destroy. See Mark 9:2222And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. (Mark 9:22). Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:1010The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10).
God has given us something far better than what an unbeliever stoops to in his futile attempts to find fulfillment. Nothing can match the love of God in Christ, “for Thy love is better than wine.” Song of Solomon 1:22Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. (Song of Solomon 1:2). And, as Christians, we should dare to be different from the world around us. Proverbs 1:1010My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. (Proverbs 1:10) says, “If sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” When the world sees a Christian who uses alcohol and drugs, they conclude that Christianity has nothing to offer; when they see a Christian who refuses to compromise in this way, they respect that person and it is a testimony to them of the reality of Christ and His life in the believer.
If we really want to live for the Lord and be used of Him, alcohol and drug abuse are two pitfalls we must avoid. 2 Timothy 2:21 tells us that God wants us to be vessels unto honor, set apart, and fit for the Master’s use, and prepared for every good work. Let’s not be dirty vessels, but clean ones!