Alcoholism

I don't go to bars, but I've come to see that bars are one of the most toxic environments for a person. Because while it's not always the case, people who frequent bars are often people who tend to claim a belief in God, but make no effort to stop, or even to slow, the sin they're committing. They tend to embrace it. The overall environment is very toxic, because it creates the implication that alcoholism is okay, even for believers.

A controversial issue in the world is gay marriage. People can pinpoint a number of verses, from the creation of man and woman in Genesis, to Jesus mentioning it again during His ministry, to the fact that sex with the same gender was punishable by death under the Mosaic law to which we are no longer bound for salvation, thus we no longer punish sin with death.

But bearing all those verses in mind, are you aware that there is equal evidence in the Bible that alcoholism is a sin that will send you to Hell? In fact, I'd go so far as to say there's more evidence for alcoholism. Here are a few verses:

1 Corinthians 6:10

. . . nor thieves, nor coveters, not drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Isaiah 5:11

Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!

Ephesians 5:18

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them is not wise. 

Galatians 5:21

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

And then on top of that, there are the effects of alcohol, which include things like drunk driving which leads to murder, bar fights, and even abuse of family members, and more - all things which the Bible CLEARLY forbids. Alcohol itself isn't forbidden, as evidenced by the fact that Jesus and the disciples had wine at the last supper, but they did not get drunk off of it. Drunkenness / alcoholism is a clearly-defined sin, from which God commands us to abstain. There are many, many ways to overcome an alcohol addiction. And you don't need alcohol to "escape" from your problems. There are better ways. Why not find some of them?

God bless you all, and guide you according to His perfect will. In Jesus' name. Amen.