There are several reasons given by those who are in support of passing the law. Many of them appeal to the practical nature of people. Of course we all want to do something that “makes sense.” It seems to make sense that if our kids can already find alcohol easily (even without it being sold in the county) that passing a law permitting its sale wouldn’t have that much of an impact on our children. It seems to make sense that if people are going to bring alcohol into our county anyway, we may as well get the tax revenue from selling it ourselves. It seems to make sense that we should benefit from the tourists drinking in our county instead of just “picking up their trash.”
It all seems to make sense. But upon further examination, it really doesn’t. Does it really make sense, considering the nature of alcohol (consider Proverbs 23:29) that making it more easily accessible to our county will make things better? Really?
This vote isn’t about statistics, lowering DUI arrests, or even the economy. It’s about desires. It’s about people getting what they want, despite what it will mean for others. James writes about the consequences of following after sinful desires in James 1:13-15. It only brings death. In this case, that death can be both physical and spiritual.
I know that most of you have already made up your minds. You likely won’t be swayed one way or the other by what I write. But I also know that there are many of you who haven’t completely made up your mind yet which side you are on.
I want you to understand that this vote, and the dialog that surrounds it, isn’t about statistics. Statistics can be conflicting. This vote is about morality. Since this is a moral issue, let’s look at it from a moral perspective, instead of a “practical” perspective.
God’s View of the Issue – Morality Trumps “So-Called” Practicality
Wine is spoken about in at least three ways in the scriptures. Several times it is handled neutrally, with no condemnation or approval. This is the “historical” sense, where wine is spoken of in the context of providing historical information. Take Daniel 5:1-4 as an example of this. Belshazzar hosts a feast, which amounts to a drinking party, and even uses items stolen from the Temple in Jerusalem as cups to drink from. While the nature of this particular revelry is obviously despicable, the text is neutral in its mention of wine.
Then there times where wine is mentioned in a positive way. In Isaiah 55:1, wine is used poetically to refer to God’s blessings. The text reads, “come buy wine and milk without money and without price.”
But our study must focus on the instances where wine is spoken of in the negative sense. For example, Proverbs 20:1 –
“Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1, NKJV)
Wine and strong drink are pictured here as doing what they make men actually do. There is nothing positive about the picture painted.
Passages which warn about the dangers of alcohol abound in scripture. Proverbs 23:20 warns us to avoid making company with those who like to drink; Proverbs 23:29-35 describe in detail the plight of the drinker; Proverbs 31:4-5 shows us that those who would make good decisions must stay away from alcohol; Romans 13:13-14 tells us to “walk properly” and to avoid revelry and drunkenness; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 tell us plainly that drunkards cannot go to Heaven; Ephesians 5:18 commands us not to be drunk; Finally 1 Peter 4:3 appeals to our good sense to not intoxicate ourselves.
Then comes this argument – “But those verses are just talking about being drunk. Isn’t it okay if I drink just a little?” A deeper study of Ephesians 5:18 reveals that God not only condemns the state of drunkenness, but the means by which one comes to that state. The word methysko refers to the process by which someone becomes drunk. Better translations of that text (ESV, NASB) say “do not get drunk.” The “get” is the important word there – it’s referring to the process.
There’s a difference in “getting drunk” and “being drunk.” “Being drunk” is a destination, and a state of existence. Objectively, the “getting drunk” part starts with the first drink, regardless of the intended outcome (i.e. “buzzed” or “drunk”). In fact, a 2010 study shows that just one drink significantly impairs a driver’s ability to safely drive. Even with a BAC level of 0.01% (far from the legal limit of 0.08%) a driver is not able to operate a vehicle as safely as someone who has a 0.0% BAC.[1]
Just one glass impairs the mind, and the mind’s judgment. That’s certainly in line with what we read in Proverbs 23:33, that when a person is intoxicated (the degree of intoxication is not denoted) their “eyes will see strange things” and they will “utter perverse things.” Considering that Christians are commanded to be “sober” and even watchful on several occasions (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8; Titus 2:12; 1 Peter 1:13, 5:8), it seems clear that even a “buzzed” state of mind is not a godly one.
In light of the previous, God’s view of alcohol ought to be resoundingly clear. Its casual consumption, indulgence in, and improper use is sinful. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what reasons an organization or group of people might be giving for voting “yes,” in God’s eyes those reasons are foolishness (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:19).
One thought lingers, though: If wine is mentioned in a negative and positive light, how do we reconcile these sayings? How does it all make sense? Is God just trying to confuse us about the matter, and make us argue amongst ourselves?
Certainly not (1 Cor. 14:33). In order to answer those questions, we’re going to have to understand a little more about the wine and alcohol mentioned in the Bible.
[1] Addiction: The relationship between serious injury and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in fatal motor vehicle accidents: BAC = 0.01% is associated with significantly more dangerous accidents than BAC = 0.00% (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03472.x/full)
Totally agree, brother! Thank you so much for your courage to tackle this issue!
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