"Drink No Wine Nor Strong Drink"
by: Gary Colley
This title is a reference from Leviticus 10:9. It was instruction given by Jehovah to Aaron concerning his priestly duties and responsibilities. The results of ignoring this admonition by God would be death. By abstaining from strong drink he made a distinction between the "holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean" enabling him to "teach the children of Israel all the statutes" (Leviticus 10:10-11).
I have had recent reports concerning some preachers and elders (not in West Plains) who evidently thought their influence would not be harmed by strong drink. Some sooth their conscience by calling it "social drinking", but the degree of use does not change the guilt. "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whoever is deceived thereby is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1). Whether it be done "at home" or at a bar, those practicing such will reap whatsoever they sow (Galatians 6:7-8).
Our influence on others is great. The elder (?) who reportedly told a young convert, who before conversion had imbibed and who found the "elder" drinking beer, that he saw nothing wrong with "social" drinking, needs to read closely Matthew 18:6-7!! To offend in this reference means to cause to sin. Jesus said "it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea". When a young Christian sees and heeds the wrong example of another Christian, it is important to both. Beer and wine in the ice box are dangerous not only to your health and soul's welfare, but also to your influence and the souls of others. Take your Bible and note the plight of the drinker: 1 Corinthians 5:11, Galatians 5:19-20, 1 Peter 4:1-5.
There is no logic, wisdom, nor Bible for "social drinking".